Rabbit and the Motorbike

By Sarah Jacoby and Kate Hoefler

★ "Exhilarating . . . Graceful text and evocative illustrations combine in this story about the rewards of facing fears and trying something new." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A timeless fable of the journey from grief to acceptance that will touch every reader: Rabbit isn't sure he'll ever be brave enough to go on an adventure. He's a homebody who lives in a quiet field of wheat he dreams of leaving every night. His world is enlarged by his friend Dog and Dog's tales of motorbike adventures. But one day, Dog is gone, and with him, go the stories Rabbit loves so much. Dare Rabbit pick up the motorbike and live his own story?

• A touching tale for those confronting loss and those who are eager to explore and experience the world around them
• Rabbit's bravery in the face of sadness will console, nurture, and inspire young readers
• Author Sarah Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the author and illustrator of Forever or a Day
• Illustrator Kate Hoefler received her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys and Great Big Things

Fans of Hungry Jim and Most of the Better Natural Thing in the World will enjoy the touching and meaningful storyline in Rabbit and the Motorbike.

• Great read-aloud book for families/children experiencing loss or heartbreak
• Books for kids ages 3–5
• Children's books for kindergarten–third grade

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chronicle Books Digital
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781452171081

Sarah Jacoby

Sarah Jacoby grew up wandering the woods outside of Philadelphia. She now draws for many people and places, including the New York Times, and she is the author and illustrator of Forever or a Day. She lives in Philadelphia.

Book preview

Reviews for Rabbit and the Motorbike

[bookwren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quiet story of finding the courage to do something you've never done before, something you're scared to do, and to see the world. When Rabbit's best friend, Dog, dies and gives him his motorbike, Rabbit wonders why. Why did Dog give timid Rabbit something he'd never use. But over time, Rabbit's subconscious works through his dreams. "When Rabbit slept, he heard the long howl of its engine in his dreams. A beautiful howl." Sarah Jacoby's illustration on this page mirrors Kate Hoefler's prose wonderfully with images of dogs racing at night, one with legs tucked under in a circle like the wheel of a motorbike. And on the following page, Rabbit stands on the road, long ears poking above his helmet, next to the motorbike, whose instrument panels look like two eyes. Rabbit travels to the redwoods and to the seashore. The illustration of gulls following Rabbit and his motorbike is ecstatic. "And Rabbit felt Dog right there with him. The heart can sing like that." Travel with Dog and Rabbit on the ultimate journey of wonder and discovery. Pair this story with the biographical picture book, "Girl on a Motorcycle" by Amy Novesky.

[salsabrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Rabbit has never left home. His friend Dog has traveled the country on his motorcycle and shares stories of his travels with Rabbit. After Dog dies, Rabbit gets his motorcycle, an ironic gift seeing as Rabbit doesn’t travel. But the presence of the motorcycle stirs the deepest part of Rabbit that wonders, What if?