My friend Yamini and I talk about picture books a lot, and this time, we didn’t want to be restricted by what it means for children and how they might see it. As adults who take picture books seriously (and children’s book authors), we also wanted to chat freely about why we love something, or don’t. We wanted to share our conversations as they normally are, without overthinking things (or over-editing it). One of us has two children and the other has none, but the reason we turn to picture books is really for ourselves—for its beauty, wisdom and brilliant humour. 

We’re starting with Cori Doerrfeld’s The Rabbit Listened, in which a child is devastated by a certain event, and different animals step in to offer comfort. The bear suggests shouting to get the anger out, the hyena wants to laugh it away, the ostrich wants to pretend nothing ever happened. 

Join us as we, Menaka and Yamini, talk about wanting to be heard without being judged, whether the rabbit really listened, and the delights of making unlikely things happen on the page. 

Y: Why do you think adults love The Rabbit Listened?

M: I think because we all go through this feeling of wanting to be understood without being told how we feel. Does that make sense? 

Y: Is that why you like it?

M: I have a bad habit of looking at children’s books through the lens of a parent. So for me, this book is a constant reminder to just listen to my kids. And my friends too! I try to jump in and fix things for people. Why do you like it? 

Y: I think for some of the same reasons. The comfort of having someone listen to you without any judgement. But also because I have the tendency to give advice as well. I mean, does anyone ever want advice? I was also wondering now, as I went through the book, which animal I might be closest to.

M: So which one are you? 

Y: The hen, cluck cluck. You?

M: I’m the kangaroo! Let’s tidy this mess—emotional and actual—and everything will be okay.  I have another confession to make. 

Y: I’m listening.

M: I am also that annoying person who says, “Oh, I know exactly how you feel! The same thing happened to me! Let me tell you all about it.” I always make it about myself. 

Y: At least you’re not the type who says, ‘Imagine my state then…’ and competes even in the realm of sadness and crises. 

M: As a picture book creator, what stands out for you about this book? 

Y: How effortless it seems, the way the text and illustration come together seamlessly. You know how adults over-explain everything? Cori Doerrfeld seems to have cracked that. Nothing feels out of place. 

M: That’s true! I marvelled at how they didn’t feel the need to fill each spread with details. Like, they didn’t set this in a playroom, or a bedroom. I love detailed illustrations, but the white spaces in this work so well.

Y: I did consider the choice of animals, though. The hyena’s reaction (laughter) is a bit predictable and cliched. And the rabbit: why are they meant to be good listeners? Might have been interesting to break some of these stereotypical associations, no? But, I’m nit-picking. 

M: I see what you mean. I’m wondering if she reverse-engineered it? Like, what are the most common reactions of people when they come to you, and which animals embody those behaviours? But I have to say, the page on which the crows swoop in at the beginning—it’s such a lovely (visual) surprise!

Y: In real life, that destruction would obviously have been by a bunch of obnoxious kids. Or, your boss crushing your glorious ideas before they saw the light of day. 

M: Yes! And it’s absurd, right? A murder of crows swooping in to destroy everything. But I love that picture books can make these impossible moments believable.

Y: I do love being able to bend truths, and make unlikely things happen on the page. But honestly, do you think the rabbit was really listening?

M: Or was it scrolling through Instagram? I never do that when I’m listening to you, okay Yamini? 

Y: Look at that bit where Taylor asks the rabbit to stay. The rabbit looks worried. 

M: Yes, like, ‘Uh-oh! What have I gotten myself into?’ Which I think people feel sometimes, no? 

Y: Totally! I’m beginning to wonder how we even got ourselves into this. On a Sunday morning. So wait, are we recommending this book to others? Is that the point of all this?

M: The point of this is for us to have more excuses to talk about picture books we love in the guise of helping others with recommendations. 

Y: But also reminding people to listen, just fucking listen, sometimes (making a note to myself).

M: Oh my god! I know exactly how you feel! This one time…

Y: Oops, I can’t hear you. Bad network.