#Booky100Keepers Day 71: "Rabbityness" by Jo Empson (Child's Play)

Again we look at the subject of loss and grief and another rare jewel amongst children's books, a book that deals with the subject not just sensitively - but actually quite joyfully too.

"Rabbityness" by Jo Empson is one of those books we've recommended to so many people over the years, and still continue to do so to this day.

It begins as the happy story of a rabbit who loves to do lots of rabbity things, but also loves to do quite a lot of distinctly un-rabbity things, like paint, or play music, or dance.

Mid way through the book there's a thud - the sound of your heart breaking as the rabbit passes on - but leaves behind a legacy for its fellow rabbits - a huge collection of all the non-rabbity things for them to discover themselves.

That way they'll always remember their rabbity friend and all their wonderful non-rabbityness too.

There's such a lot of layers to this book, and the way it can be used to help children understand loss and grief, but also to help them remember loved ones - even pets - they've loved and lost.

Jo set out here to produce a book that did away with the usual sombre messages you'll see in any books that deal with the death of a loved one, instead imbuing her glorious artwork and beautiful storytelling with huge dollops of joyful colour and a real vibrancy that makes this book stand out, and feel way ahead of its time even now.

We'll go on thinking about Rabbityness any time anyone asks us for a book on this subject. Geniunely one of the most amazing books we ever got to cover on this blog.

Original Review Links (with some more excellent work from Jo): 

ReadItDaddy's Second Book of the Week - Week Ending 26th February 2016 - "Little Home Bird" by Jo Empson (Child's Play)

Chimpanzees for Tea by Jo Empson (Picture Puffin)

Never Ever by Jo Empson (Child's Play International PLC)

Charlotte's Book of the Week - Rabbityness by Jo Empson (Child's Play International Ltd)