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Rabbit and the Motorbike: (Books about Friendship, Inspirational Books for Kids, Children's Adventure Books, Children's Emotion Books) Hardcover – Picture Book, September 10, 2019

by Kate Hoefler (Author), Sarah Jacoby (Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
See all formats and editions
★ "Exhilarating . . . Graceful text and evocative illustrations combine in this story about the rewards of facing fears and trying something new." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A timeless fable of the journey from grief to acceptance that will touch every reader: Rabbit isn't sure he'll ever be brave enough to go on an adventure. He's a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog's tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story?

• A touching tale for those confronting loss and those who are eager to explore and experience the world around them
• Rabbit's bravery in the face of sadness will console, nurture, and inspire young readers
• Author Sarah Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the author and illustrator of Forever or a Day
• Illustrator Kate Hoefler received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys and Great Big Things

Fans of Hungry Jim and Most of the Better Natural Thing in the World will enjoy the touching and meaningful storyline in Rabbit and the Motorbike.

• Great read-aloud book for families/children experiencing loss or heartbreak
• Books for kids ages 3–5
• Children's books for kindergarten–third grade
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Dimensions
    9.35 x 0.65 x 11.3 inches
  6. Publisher
    Chronicle Books
  7. Publication date
    September 10, 2019
  8. ISBN-10
    1452170908
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1452170909
  10. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

From the Publisher

Inspiration Mitovation Live life to the fullest

Brave courage facing fears kids books about bravery

Rabbit Dog Motorbike Books with animals Books about love kids books about death of a family member

Dog made Rabbit feel that wherever he'd been,

Rabbit had been right there with him.

Rabbit loved Dog.

Rabbit didn't know why Dog would leave his

motorbike to him, since he didn't go anywhere.

Because I'm scared, he told it one night,

as if it had asked him a question.

“Exhilarating . . . Graceful text and evocative illustrations combine in this story about the rewards of facing fears and trying something new.” –Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Sarah Jacoby Inspiration

"The world is beautiful," Dog would say, "if you're brave enough to see it.

Even new places can feel like long-lost friends."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An appealing story about grief and acceptance. Recommended for public and school libraries as a tool for children who are experiencing grief. The tone is lighter than in many texts that deal with loss, and the book lends itself to discussion." —School Library Journal

"An appealing story about grief and acceptance. Recommended for public and school libraries as a tool for children who are experiencing grief. The tone is lighter than in many texts that deal with loss, and the book lends itself to discussion." —School Library Journal

"A tender, breathtaking picture book that you'll read again and again."—A Best Children's Books of the Year, The Christian Science Monitor

"A tender, breathtaking picture book that you'll read again and again."—A Best Children's Books of the Year, The Christian Science Monitor

"Exhilarating . . . Graceful text and evocative illustrations combine in this story about the rewards of facing fears and trying something new."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Exhilarating . . . Graceful text and evocative illustrations combine in this story about the rewards of facing fears and trying something new."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Rich in metaphor without an ounce of heavy–handedness, this timeless fable should be left out for a little one to come to and
contemplate on their own, when the need arises."—Booklist, Starred Review

"Rich in metaphor without an ounce of heavy–handedness, this timeless fable should be left out for a little one to come to and
contemplate on their own, when the need arises."—Booklist, Starred Review

About the Author

Sarah Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the author and illustrator of Forever or a Day. She lives in Philadelphia.

Kate Hoefler received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys and Great Big Things. She lives in a quiet village in Ohio where she can hear the distant sounds of the highway.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition (September 10, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1452170908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1452170909
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.35 x 0.65 x 11.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Sarah Jacoby

    Sarah Jacoby

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Sarah’s award-winning work is evocative and delightfully unexpected, playful and effortlessly profound. Her work is characterized by a deeply felt empathy, a keenly observant eye, and an intuitive ability to capture and convey what it means to think, feel, and be in this world as a human. She is the author and illustrator of such picture books as:

    CAN I SIT WITH YOU? (COMING 2021!)

    RABBIT AND MOTORBIKE BY KATE HOEFLER

    THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT MARGARET WISE BROWN BY MAC BARNETT

    FOREVER OR A DAY

    See more on the author's page
  2. Kate Hoefler

    Kate Hoefler

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

NoJiby
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartful way of dealing with loss
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
I have just finished reading the wonderful children’s book Rabbit and the Motorbike written by Kate Hoefler with art illustration by Sarah Jacoby. This is an excellent book for children and the adults who might read it to them. I have heard of the saying ,“ What appears to be an end to something can actually be the beginning of something new.” This is very true in this telling book.

Kate Hoefler astonishes me on how she presents the topic of loss. She tactfully and strategically deals with the consequences of loss of life. Loss of life is difficult for anyone, but children have little if any experience with it. Rabbit and the Motorbike is written in such a way to be sensitive to the feelings of fear and loneliness in addition to loss itself.

Contrary to harboring the negative impacts of loss, Hoefler focuses on the positive energy it takes to overcome loss and loneliness. Rabbit, who has lost Dog, struggles to deal with this loss. Hoefler, with the extraordinary pictorial presentation by Sarah Jacoby, weaves a complementary coupling of excellent story with vivid detailed pictures. The combination is enlightening and wonderful!

Whereas loss can be sudden, recovery is often gradual. Hoefler and Jacoby demonstrate this process through the struggles of Rabbit. The reader finds Rabbit’s gradual recovery and growth as encouraging. The ending of this story is very uplifting and sends the real message of the book.

Rabbit and the Motorbike is an extraordinary work on a very delicate issue that both adults and children face. Loss is not easy. But the adjustments to loss are complex and challenging. This book is exceptional in handling loss. It should be a must read for those in such circumstances. If not in those circumstances, this book is a gem regardless. I highly recommend it.
7 people found this helpful
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Zachary B
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Author and Illustrator
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
Kate Hoefler moves mountains with her words. A beautiful story about life and death and perseverance, Rabbit and the Motorbike will make your heart full and bring tears at the same time. Beautiful illustrations combined with beautiful, poetic writing, a children’s literature masterpiece!!!
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Sean Cleary
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Poignant Story; Gorgeous Illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2021
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Beautiful! Appealing to all ages
One person found this helpful
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Jane M.
4.0 out of 5 stars could be used to help young children through the stages of grief
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2019
Rabbit and the Motorbike is a story about missing a friend who is gone and creating new memories similar to the ones shared with that friend. Kate Hoefler takes the reader/listener through the experience of losing someone close. When the person is with you, you share many things and he/she adds to your enjoyment of life. When that person is gone it takes time to recover from the loss and get past it to the point of creating new memories. This isn’t a book you’d necessarily read for fun but it is a title with a purpose. Rabbit and the Motorbike could be used to help young children through the stages of grief.
Sarah Jacoby used watercolor and mixed media to create her illustrations. The pictures complement the text well. They are done in muted tones and add to the emotion of the story.
I would not hesitate to add Rabbit and the Motorbike to my K-12 Christian School library. I will be including it in my Mock Caldecott unit this fall.
I received a copy of Rabbit and the Motorbike because I am a member of the Land Of Enchantment Committee. This is my honest review.
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Tonja Drecker
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of hope, dreams and warmth
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2019
Bitter-sweet longing mixed with hope glide together in this gentle tale about loss and reaching beyond comfort zones to ride with dreams.

Rabbit has never left his field, and he likes it there. Sometimes he feels alone. Quite alone. But dog comes by every day to tell him his tales about him and his adventures on his motorbike. Rabbit loves listening to these tales until, one day, they end. Instead, Rabbit is left with a motorbike and a wish he could hear the stories again.

This is one of those reads which pulls at the heart and offers dreams wing to fly. Rabbit is a careful bunny, and it's easy to like him. He's kind but feels a little captured. Young listeners can identify with him easily—everyone has things they would like to do but feel uncomfortable about really stepping up and doing it. So, when Rabbit dares to try, smiles will break out and it's hard not to feel happy right with him.

The loss of a loved one is another theme in this book. While it isn't clearly stated what happens to Dog, most young listeners will understand (others might ask, so be prepared for that). While their is a sense of sadness, the tale hits more on the empty spot Dog leaves behind and the constant reminder (and positive temptation) of the motorbike. It is a lovely way to help explore the feelings such a loss bring, but this tale is about more. It's about memories, living and repeating the entire cycle again.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this lovely story so much that I'm leaving my honest thoughts.
2 people found this helpful
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Maura in VA
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful ideas, beautiful words, beautiful illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
When we got to the line that read, "Even new places can feel like long-lost friends", my face lit up, and I turned to my 6 year old son whose face was similarly alight with recognition and wonder. "Mama!" he cried with eyes wide. "This is how I felt the first time I remember going to Shenandoah...like it was new, but it was also an old friend!" One of my happiest moments of mothering, ever.

My 6 year old son and I absolutely loved this book about friendship, loss, grief, wonder, and adventure. Though I have given up my motorcycle for motherhood, I have tried to include as much exploration to new places in my son's childhood, and I am infinitely grateful he has picked up my love of traveling to new places. The grief and loss evoked here are vivid and lush, as is the beauty of adventure and travel.

The art by Sarah Jacoby is stunning. Rereading it with my son this week, I was struck by how many times he said, "Mama, so beautiful!" when we turned the pages.

<i>"The world is beautiful," Dog would say, "if you're brave enough to see it. Even new places can feel like long-lost friends."
One person found this helpful
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Breanna Carzoo
5.0 out of 5 stars All time favorite
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2021
This is my all time favorite picture book!
One person found this helpful
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Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good idea
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
Good story. Very short, I felt should of been expanded some.
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