The Hare-Shaped Hole
What’s inside...
The Hare-Shaped Hole is a poignant picture book that explores themes of grief and loss through the story of Bertle the hare who loses his best friend, Hertle the turtle. As Bertle struggles with the Hertle-shaped hole left behind, he learns to cope with his grief by filling the void with cherished memories, with the help of Gerda the bear. This beautifully illustrated book by John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty offers a gentle and sensitive approach to discussing loss with children, making it a valuable resource for parents and educators.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the hare felt when it found the hole? What would you do if you were in its place?
What do you think the hole represents in the story? Can a 'hole' mean different things in our lives?
Why do you think other animals reacted the way they did to the hare and the hole?
What does the hare learn by the end of the story? Have you ever learned something similar?
How does the story's setting influence the hare's adventure? How would the story change if it happened somewhere else?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open body language and maintain eye contact to show your child you are engaged and interested in their thoughts.
Validate your child’s feelings and perspectives as they discuss the book, making them feel heard and appreciated.
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the hare’s experiences and their own, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to encourage deeper thinking and exploration of the book’s themes.
Relate real-life situations to the story’s events to help your child apply the moral or lessons to their own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'The Hare-Shaped Hole', the protagonist learns to understand and share the feelings of others, especially when a new character feels out of place.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to better relate to their peers who may feel left out and help include them in activities.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The story showcases the hare facing fears and making tough decisions to help friends, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears and stand up for what is right, even when it feels challenging.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters encounter various challenges but learn to overcome them with perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to bounce back from setbacks and keep trying in their own lives, whether in school or in personal goals.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The book focuses on building and nurturing friendships, despite differences among characters.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of building strong, supportive relationships and being a good friend in their own social circles.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: Characters in the story come together to solve problems creatively and collaboratively.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to think critically and work with others to find solutions to everyday problems.