ReadItDaddy's Second Book of the Week - Week Ending 6th September 2019: "Rabbit and the Motorbike" by Kate Hoefler and Sarah Jacoby (Chronicle Books)

Sorry, bit of a double-header of Picture Book of the Week noms for books about grief and loss this week, perhaps it's the turning of the seasons but there's something slightly sombre about September, no?

But this one, oh this one we could not let slip by without a Book of the Week win - the divine "Rabbit and the Motorbike" by Kate Hoefler and Sarah Jacoby.

Rabbit likes to play it safe in life. Never straying from the comfortable confines of his farm, Rabbit isn't what you'd call an adventuresome sort - but his best friend, dog, most certainly is.

Dog may be gettting on in years, but has spent his life on the road, always eager to explore on his motorbike and see what's over the rise of the next hill.

Rabbit loves hearing about Dog's adventures, almost living vicariously through Dog's amazing life stories - until that sad day when dog's days are up, and there are no more stories to tell.

Rabbit's life is simple and safe, no need for adventures

Rabbit discovers that Dog has left him his leathers, helmet and motorbike in his will. But that's not about to change Rabbit's ways. Even though he misses his best friend dearly, the motorbike begins to gather dust and rust, and the leathers and helmet are dutifully tucked away. Yes there is a road to travel but Rabbit is still reluctant to go on any kind of adventure, full stop!

Dog's motorbike sits unused. But it plays on Rabbit's mind...

I don't think we've ever encountered a children's picture book that deals with loss and grief in this way, turning Rabbit's story from one of sorrow into one where he slowly begins to come round to Dog's way of thinking, and dog's legacy of willing his friend to go on adventures is just too tempting a lure to pass up forever.

So will Rabbit ever venture off down the road?

We loved how this was written, the gentle coda reminding us that Rabbit isn't just stubbornly set in his ways, and Dog, his dear departed friend, obviously saw something in this flop-eared fellah that Rabbit himself didn't even realise.

So much more than just another children's book about loss and grief, this is about the healing process too, and where we go from the point where we lose a loved one so dear to us. Utterly, breathtakingly beautiful stuff.

Sum this book up in a sentence: There is adventure out there, and it's there for the taking, if only we can be brave enough!

"Rabbit and the Motorbike" by Kate Hoefler and Sarah Jacoby is out now, published by Chronicle Books (kindly supplied for review)