Rabbits Learn to Share

If You Plant a Seed by Kadin Nelson (2015) is a beautiful book illustrated with lovely paintings. The cover is a close-up of a rabbit and a mouse that radiates light and color. It appears they’ve  collaborated to plant something. They gaze at a young seedling that’s emerging from rich brown soil. We can infer they’re anticipating a delicious meal. The cover hints at the plot with such subtlety as to be invisible until after reading the book.

It takes only a few pages for these friends to joyfully munch on carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage. So what’s left to tell? Now, the real story is revealed. A finch, cardinal, blue jay, crow, and dove notice the garden. They fly down to share the bounty.  In response, rabbit and mouse “plant a seed of selfishness” and the food fight that follows creates a chaotic mess. Rabbit and mouse must reconsider their situation. Their new decision to plant a seed of kindness reaps many rewards.

The text is sparse and in a large font. Nelson’s stunning illustrations tell the story. Nelson won a Caldecott Honor and the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Award for this book.

I’m happy to say that The Hare Who Wouldn’t Share by Steve Small (2024) is not a remake of Kadin Nelson’s story. Yes, the main character is another rabbit—ok, a hare—whose motto is, “The more I give away, the less there is for me.” When a family of rabbits moves into the neighborwood and asks for food, Hare says, “Turn around, Rabbit, and go look elsewhere.” With a theme slightly reminiscent of Stone Soup, the newcomers make a meal to share with other little forest creatures. Even after planting their own vegetable garden, guests continue to share the harvest. Hare doesn’t join in. Then, Hare encounters a boar. It’s stomping through the forest in search of food and Hare reconsiders its situation. With a change of heart, Hare’s strategic response is a page-turner.

These two stories, similar yet very different, tell a timeless tale.