Only The Trees Know

We CANNOT resist a good bunny story in our house. Only the Trees Know by Jane Whittingham and Cinyee Chiu is a sweet story about a little bunny longing for spring.

Little Rabbit misses his friends. Most of them are hibernating because of the cold winter snow. When he asks Grandmama when spring will come she tells him to ask the trees. Little Rabbit exhausts himself trying to ask the trees, in the end, in a moment of quiet, he learns the answer.

Jane Whittingham has crafted a gentle story about patience. Winter can feel hard sometimes. It’s dark, we can’t play outside with our friends for as long and it’s cold, even if we have nice fur coats. Waiting is even harder and Little Rabbit’s patience is wearing thin. Just like many children, Little Rabbit yells and screams to get the tree’s attention. It’s a lovely reminder to children to stop and listen, to have patience and to remember that yelling and screaming does not make the waiting any easier.

Cinyee Chiu’s illustrations are soft and gentle in the winter as Little Rabbit is exploring and waiting. They are also loud and sharp when Little Rabbit is getting frustrated. Brilliantly matched to the tone of the story and completely adorable for all those who love rabbits. The blue and white tones match the cold of the winter while still evoking hope and change.