Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
One-night, Little Grey Rabbit and
Little Brown Rabbit have an argument. Their harsh words are ‘carried along by
the wind’. The two rabbits stomp away in opposite directions. In their fury and
sadness, it is hard for them to find joy even in their favourite places. As
loneliness sets in, the wind whispers words of harmony. The two rabbits run
towards each other. They each apologise and admit that they make mistakes.
Their gentle words are ‘carried along by the wind’.
Larissa Ferenchuk’s simple story
features an all-too-familiar situation for many kids aged four to eight: a
blow-up between best buddies. Rather than bounding blindly along the road to
anger, the two rabbits soon realise that forgiveness is the best path to
follow. While the wind reminds the protagonists to ‘be kind’, it is only when
the two rabbits choose compassion over contempt that their friendship is
mended.
Although Prue Pittock’s
illustrations are largely two-dimensional, she deftly applies linework to
develop density and movement across the pages. Just a few dots and dashes on
the rabbits’ faces is all it takes to reveal to readers the deepest of feelings.
Stormy grey skies echo the tempestuous emotions below; a warm pink dawn
embraces the rabbits’ reconciliation.
Fixing a broken bond is never
easy, but Two Rabbits encourages youngsters to take responsibility for their
words and actions and make amends when another person has been hurt. This is
conflict resolution on a small scale, a skill that no doubt will come in handy
as kids hop into adulthood.
