Sometimes the best parenting advice doesn’t come from a thick manual or a clinical psychologist. Honestly, it comes from a rabbit. If you’ve spent any time in a classroom or a nursery lately, you’ve probably heard a the rabbit listened read aloud session. It’s everywhere. Why? Because Cori Doerrfeld’s book The Rabbit Listened manages to do something most adults still can’t figure out: it explains empathy without being preachy.
Taylor, the main character, is building something big. Something amazing. Then, it all comes crashing down. The birds come in and tell Taylor to talk about it. The bear wants Taylor to get angry. The ostrich wants to hide. We’ve all been there, right? That moment when your world falls apart and everyone around you starts offering solutions you didn't ask for. It’s exhausting.
Why a the rabbit listened read aloud hits differently
When you watch or listen to a the rabbit listened read aloud, you aren't just hearing a story about blocks. You're witnessing a masterclass in emotional intelligence. The rabbit doesn't say a word at first. It just sits there. It gets closer. It stays.
That’s the core of the book.
Most people think "helping" means "fixing." We see someone crying and we want to hand them a tissue and a five-point plan for recovery. We’re the crow, screaming about how we should talk it out. We’re the hyena, trying to laugh it off. But the rabbit? The rabbit just is.
I’ve watched teachers use this book to de-escalate playground fights. It works because it validates the "shut down" phase of grief. Kids—and let’s be real, adults too—often need a minute where they don't have to perform "getting better." They just need to be sad.
The power of silence in a loud world
The pacing of the book is deliberate. In many the rabbit listened read aloud videos you’ll find on YouTube or Spotify, the narrator usually slows down when the rabbit appears. There’s a shift in energy. The chaotic suggestions of the other animals fade away, leaving only the quiet presence of the bunny.
Psychologists call this "co-regulation." It’s the idea that one person’s calm nervous system can help settle another person’s frayed one. When the rabbit sits with Taylor, it isn't waiting for a turn to speak. It’s providing a container for Taylor’s big, messy feelings.
- The chicken wants to talk.
- The bear wants to shout.
- The elephant wants to fix it.
- The rabbit just listens.
Notice the difference? The first three are about the helper’s needs. They want to feel useful. The rabbit’s approach is entirely about the sufferer’s needs.
What the "experts" get wrong about the book
Some critics argue that the book is too simple. They say it doesn't give children "tools" to move forward. I couldn't disagree more. The tool is the listening. Once Taylor feels heard, Taylor is the one who decides to build again. The rabbit doesn't pick up a single block.
That is a massive distinction.
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If the rabbit had started building for Taylor, the story would be about dependency. Instead, it’s about resilience. By listening, the rabbit gives Taylor the strength to heal themselves. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s the difference between being a crutch and being a mirror.
How to use a the rabbit listened read aloud for actual results
If you’re a parent or an educator, don’t just hit play and walk away. Use it as a springboard. But don’t make it a "lesson." Kids smell a lesson from a mile away and they hate it.
Try this: ask them which animal they feel like today. Are they the ostrich? Do they want to hide? That’s fine. Maybe they’re the hyena and they’re trying to joke their way out of a bad mood. Acknowledging that all these responses are natural—even if they aren't the "best" ones—makes the rabbit's eventual appearance even more impactful.
Beyond the blocks: Real-world empathy
We live in a culture of "toxic positivity." You see it on Instagram every day. "Good vibes only." "Everything happens for a reason."
The rabbit would hate Instagram.
When you engage with a the rabbit listened read aloud, you’re pushing back against that "fix-it" culture. You're teaching a child that it is okay to sit in the ruins of their "blocks" for a while.
Think about the last time you had a bad day at work. Did you want your partner to tell you to "look on the bright side"? Probably not. You probably wanted them to sit on the couch, maybe bring you a tea, and just let you be annoyed for twenty minutes. You wanted a rabbit.
The neurological impact of being heard
There’s actual science behind why this story resonates. When we feel misunderstood or ignored, our amygdala (the brain's alarm system) stays in high gear. We remain in "fight or flight" mode. When someone truly listens—without judgment or interruption—it signals to the brain that the danger has passed.
The heart rate drops. Cortisol levels dip. This isn't just "nice" behavior; it's biological regulation.
Actionable steps for your next "Rabbit" moment
It’s easy to read the book. It’s hard to be the rabbit. Here is how you can actually apply the lessons from the rabbit listened read aloud in your daily life, whether you’re dealing with a toddler or a co-worker.
1. Practice the "Wait 10 Seconds" Rule
When someone finishes speaking, especially if they are upset, count to ten in your head before responding. Often, people will fill that silence with the real thing they need to say. If you jump in too soon, you cut off their process.
2. Mirror the Energy, Not the Volume
If someone is shouting like the bear, don't shout back. But don't be eerily quiet either, which can feel dismissive. Sit near them. Match their physical level (get on the floor if it's a child). Let your presence be felt before your words are.
3. Ask: "Do you want to be heard, helped, or hugged?"
This is a game-changer. It prevents you from being the elephant when they need the rabbit. Sometimes people just need to vent. Sometimes they need a solution. Asking first saves everyone a lot of frustration.
4. Validate the Silence
If a child is quiet after a disappointment, don't force the conversation. Say, "I'm just going to sit here with you. We don't have to talk." This removes the pressure to "perform" recovery.
5. Watch the read-aloud together
Sometimes, watching a third party (the narrator) talk about these feelings makes it safer for a child to discuss them. It takes the spotlight off their specific "crumbled blocks" and puts it on Taylor's.
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Cori Doerrfeld’s work remains a staple because it honors the quiet. In a world that values the loudest voice, the rabbit reminds us that the quietest one is often the most powerful. Next time you see someone's world fall apart, remember the rabbit. Don't bring a shovel. Don't bring a megaphone. Just bring yourself and a willingness to sit in the quiet until the building starts again.
Next Steps for Deeper Understanding
- Review the "Animals of Grief": Re-read the book and identify which animal represents your default reaction to someone else's pain. Are you a "fixer" (Elephant) or a "distractor" (Hyena)?
- Create a "Rabbit Corner": In classrooms or homes, designate a quiet space where talking isn't required—only "being" is.
- Analyze the Art: Look closely at the color palette changes in the book. Notice how the colors shift from cold and chaotic to warm and steady once the rabbit arrives.