Quiet Bunny by Lisa McCue would be worth picking up, if only for the beautiful illustrations. But there is much more to it, as a small rabbit tries to find his voice. He listens to the other animals and tries to makes sounds as they do. Eventually he discovers how he too can join in the with the "night sound" song. The story conveys the advantages of being still and listening, as well as the the value and uniqueness of individuals. It is a feel good story with a pleasing ending.
After reading the story have children talk about the things they can do. Drawing self portraits would also be a good follow up. It might also be valuable to have the children go outdoors and simply be quiet, using their senses to observe the environment. Many children need to be taught to slow down and observe. It just doesn't come naturally to them, but they may find pleasure and comfort in the experience. Just as many adults find sitting quietly in the outdoors or listening to a water feature refreshing, with practice some children may learn to use this as a calming technique.
While the text is a little long for the youngest children, the story line is perfect for them and could easily be shorten. Helping these young children pretend to be a quiet bunny, even if only for a few minutes, is worth the time and it just might be the quiet break you need too!
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