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The Hare-Shaped Hole
The award-winning picture book
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Check link for latest rating. ( 440 ratings, 148 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See moreThe Hare-Shaped Hole is a poignant and touching picture book exploring death and grief, as Bertle the turtle learns to cope with the loss of his best friend Hertle the hare.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching, and poignant picture book which gently explores themes of grief and loss.
Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever, and whenever you looked, you would find them together... until quite unexpectedly... the end came. When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be. He pleads with it, gets angry with it, but the hole still won't bring his Hertle back.
It seems like hope is lost... until Gerda the kindly bear finds him. She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly... Bertle begins to feel a little bit better.
Powerful and moving text from children's author and poet John Dougherty is paired perfectly with warm illustrations from the wonderfully talented Thomas Docherty in a thoughtful and sensitive approach to this difficult topic.
This moving picture book can be used as part of a gentle conversation about death and grief with children.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Hare-Shaped Hole, a children's book by John Dougherty, has been praised for its sensitive and warm approach to themes of grief and bereavement. The story, featuring Bertle Turtle dealing with the loss of his friend Hertle Hare, is recognised for its empathy and emotional depth, alongside captivating illustrations by Thomas Docherty. Reviewers highlight its suitability for sparking conversations about loss in educational settings, noting its potential to provide comfort to young readers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780711276055
Publisher: Quarto Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 09 March 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 235.0mm
Height: 276.0mm
Weight: 300g
Pages: 32
About the Author
John Dougherty was born in Larne, Northern Ireland, and not many years later they made him go to school - an experience he didn't find entirely enjoyable. Fortunately, the joys of reading helped him through the difficult times. It's therefore not completely surprising that when he grew up he became first a teacher (the nice sort), and then a writer of stories and poetry for children. He also writes songs, some of which he performs with First Draft, a band made up of three children's authors and a bookseller. He now lives in England with his two children.Thomas Docherty is an author and illustrator of childrens books based in Swansea. His first picture book, The Little Boat was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, and he has also worked on several books with his wife Helen Docherty, including The Snatchabook, The Knight Who Wouldn't Fight and Pirate Nell's Tale To Tell. His books have been sold around the world and have eben translated into more than 25 languages.
Also by John Dougherty
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