"The Hare-Shaped Hole" is a touching and poignant picture book that explores themes of grief and loss in a gentle and compassionate way.
Hertle and Bertle were inseparable friends, one a turtle and the other a hare. They did everything together, but their beautiful friendship comes to an unexpected end when Hertle disappears. Bertle is left with a Hertle-shaped hole in his life, and he struggles with his loss. He pleads and even gets angry with the hole, but it cannot bring his friend back.
It's only when Gerda, a kind-hearted bear, enters Bertle's life that he learns how to cope with his grief. She explains that he must fill the hole with his cherished memories of Hertle. Slowly, Bertle begins to heal and find solace in his cherished recollections.
The book's powerful and moving text by children's author and poet John Dougherty is complemented by the warm and heartfelt illustrations by Thomas Docherty. This thoughtful and sensitive approach to the difficult topic of grief makes "The Hare-Shaped Hole" a valuable resource for parents and caregivers looking to start a gentle conversation about death and loss with children. Additionally, it serves as a comforting gift for those dealing with the loss of a pet or a loved one, reassuring them that, in time, things will get better. This moving story is suitable for children and adults alike, offering solace and understanding in times of grief.