Only the Trees Know

A little rabbit, who doesn't like waiting, longs for spring. Little Rabbit is hungry, bored and very tired of winter. "When will it be spring?" he asks his parents. When they aren't sure, he turns to his wise grandmother. "Only the trees know," she says. "Ask them, and they will tell you." So Little Rabbit does. But the trees don't answer him. He tries shouting, jumping, listening hard. Still nothing. Then, just when he's about to give up, he notices something different in the forest, something that's right underneath his nose ... For every bunny who has a hard time waiting, this is the perfect story to show them how. A frustrated little rabbit longs for spring in this gentle, warmhearted story about waiting. Little Rabbit is hungry, bored and very tired of winter. When will it be spring? he asks his parents. All they can tell him is that he must wait and be patient. Except, Little Rabbit doesn't like waiting, or being patient. Instead, he turns to the oldest, wisest rabbit in the forest, his grandmother, to find out when it will be spring. Only the trees know, she says. Ask them, and they will tell you. So Little Rabbit does. But the trees don't answer him. He tries shouting, jumping up and down, listening very hard. And still, nothing. Then, just when Little Rabbit is about to give up, he notices there's something different in the forest, something that's right underneath his nose ... Author Jane Whittingham's message of finding hope and patience in trying times is always a relevant one for children. The lyrical depictions of the forest in winter --- The winds blew and bit, the trees shivered and shook, and the snow fell and fell --- give this book the feel of a classic. Cinyee Chiu's lush illustrations in muted shades evoke a magical wintery world, and their varied perspectives perfectly showcase Little Rabbit's place in his world. This book offers excellent character education lessons on patience, perseverance and resilience. Young readers will be rooting for Little Rabbit, easily relating to his impatience. It's the perfect read-aloud for a late-winter day, or anytime children are finding it hard to wait. "Little Rabbit is tired of waiting for spring. His parents can't tell him when it will arrive, and neither can his grandmama. Be patient, they tell him. But Little Rabbit isn't very good at being patient. Spring will come on its own time, they say. But when will that be? Only the trees know, says his grandmama. But when Little Rabbit tries asking the trees, nothing happens. Determined to make the trees notice him, Little Rabbit almost overlooks what's been there all along: hopeful signs that spring is on the way."-- Provided by publisher