The Hare-Shaped Hole

 
      小兔子赫托（Hertle）和小烏龜伯托（Bertle）是超級好朋友，無敵要好、形影不離的那一種，他們承諾要當對方永遠、永遠的好朋友。
 
      有一天，小兔子卻突然毫無預警地消失了，小烏龜四處尋找，卻再也找不到熟悉的身影，他祈求老天爺幫忙，但好朋友還是沒回來。這讓小烏龜感到非常生氣、難過和失落。如今小烏龜的身旁，只剩下一個兔子形狀的黑洞……洞裡黑黑、冷冷、空空地，什麼都沒有。
 
      直到小烏龜遇到善解人意、充滿智慧的大熊，才慢慢走出傷痛。兔子形狀的黑洞漸漸浮現各種色彩，還閃耀著光芒！這些改變，是如何發生的呢？
 
      當失去摯愛的親友或寵物時，這一本觸碰生死議題黑洞的繪本，能陪伴我們學習用愛、智慧和回憶，轉化失去的傷痛。

　　"A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning." - Joe Coelho, Waterstones Children's Laureate

　　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, get 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.

　　Review
　　"A beautiful, gentle, rhyming exploration of grief and mourning"

　　― Joseph Coelho, Waterstones Children's Laureate

　　"Explaining grief to children is one of the hardest things of all but Hare-Shaped Hole does it beautifully. Bertle Turtle experiences every emotion as he tries to come to terms with the loss of his best friend, Hertle Hare, but eventually realises that she'll always live on in his heart and his mind. It's a book full of love, empathy and wisdom. Hare-Shaped Hole is a fantastic collaboration between author John Dougherty and illustrator Thomas Docherty and needs to find a place in primary schools across the country." ― Jon Biddle

　　“When Hertle the hare goes away, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole and he misses his friend. A sweet and poignant story about loss.” ― The Bookseller

　　"This is a deceptively deep story about love and loss, enlivened by charming art." ― Storytime Magazine

　　"The Hare-Shaped Hole tackles ideas around grief and bereavement with sensitivity and warmth, and could help you and your children start tricky conversations."  ― BookTrust

　　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 children's 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 been translated into more than 25 languages.