Rabbit's Gift

by George Shannon

Book Overview

Snow is coming, coming soon, so Rabbit needs to find food fast. Just in time, a turnip turns up, and a second one, too. Who in the woods wouldn't want to tuck away an extra turnip for the long winter?... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152060731
• ISBN13: 9780152060732
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Beautiful message of giving and community

This story of a rabbit, goat, deer, and donkey looking out for each other and giving each other the turnip in turn and ultimately sharing it is beautifully & simply told. The illustrations are also beautiful. My 3 year old son asks for this story over and over. He also likes talking about the Chinese characters for each of the animals which are included in the book.

Our favorite bedtime story

We received this book as a gift and fell in love with the beautiful message. I order 3 at a time so it qualifies for free shipping and give it as a gift at my kids many birthday parties.

That's what friends are for!

It's the beginning of winter and rabbit finds 2 turnips. Knowing he'll only need 1 turnip he takes one to a friends home. From the the turnip goes from friend to friend and ends back outside at rabbit's door. This is a very cute story and the illustrations are nice. They are done using acrylic paints. What is also neat is that the illustrator includes the Chinese characters for each animal in the left side of each page. Chinese Characters are Rabbit,Donkey, Goat and Deer. And you can also search for the little yellow bird each time another animal friend moves the turnip to another friends home. The author's note is interesting so I thought I'd pass it long to you. "Rabbit's Gift is based on a folktale that has been shared for centuries. More than 25 years ago, I first discovered an English Translation of a German version that attributed the story to China. Since then I have found Japanese, French and Spanish retellings. Some of those translations credit Fang Yi-K'iun, but I have not been able to trace that source. The core narrative of the story has also been collected in Syria and Jordan. No doubt, like most folktales, this story exists among and beyond these cultured. Now, through this book, I share it with you.

Rabbit's Gift - A wonderful treasure!

George Shannon's Rabbit's Gift, a modern retelling of the "giving" fable, is a treat for readers and listeners of all ages. The spirit of the original story is cleverly revealed by the re-gifting of a turnip by well-intentioned community of animals. The classic unfolding of the story of the self-less generosity of these forest friends is a special treat to be shared. Rabbit's Gift is a wonderful parable of the power of giving. Through the eyes of the adorable forest creatures so wonderfully illustrated by Laura Dronzek, the audience sees that while he is not responsible for the happiness of others, one's actions do deeply impact all those who come in contact with them. In Rabbit's Gift, a new family tradition is born. The easy conversational writing style, the logical flow of the story, and the twist to the original story makes this book a new classic. Shannon does a marvelous job of telling a complex story in simple language that is meant to be shared. Rabbit's Gift is the perfect gift; to share this book with the little listener is to give the gift of one's time. George Shannon has created a rich allegory that redefines the importance of giving to a whole new generation of readers and listeners. Rabbit's Gift, is that rare special treat that simply must be savored and shared.