Aimee Reviews~ The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty * Trigger Warning-Grief and Loss*

When this book arrived, and I excitedly opened the first pages, I thought “what a charming and beautifully illustrated book!” - I did not expect to be dabbing my eyes in the middle of our Children’s department on a rainy Wednesday morning, by the end.

The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, moving, and poignant picture book about grief and loss.

Hertle and Bertle, one a turtle and one a hare, have always been best friends. Their time together was full of laughter, joy, and the very best kind of friendship. Until, one day, it abruptly comes to an end.

Hertle isn’t there any more. Instead, there is a Hertle-shaped hole where he should be. At first, Bertle is angry. How could he leave, without saying goodbye? How could he leave this hole behind?

The presence of the black silhouette is a subtle and poignant metaphor, and a familiar one for anybody who has experienced grief. Hertle’s absences is every bit as tangible as his presence. Bertle looks everywhere, but there is only this dark shadow. Bertle pleads. He despairs. But Hertle isn’t coming back.

With time, and with the help of a friend, Bertle realises that if he fills the whole with memories – beautifully illustrated by Thomas Docherty with vibrant colours, sweet images of their friendship, and remembrances of Hertle’s life – he begins to feel better.

Grief touches everybody throughout their life, and children are sadly no exception. This book gently approaches the difficult topic of loss, with heart-felt and powerful rhyming text and sensitive illustrations. This book touched me on a personal level, and I believe will be invaluable to children everywhere at understanding the confusion, trauma, and grief of losing a loved one. A vital, powerful, and heart-felt picture book which has all the potential to become a classic. I hope I do not need to return to this book for many, many years to come – but if I ever need the gentle reassurance and understanding of this book again, I can rest assured that this book will provide comfort to anybody in pain.

You can purchase your copy here.