Only the Trees Know

By Jane Whittingham, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu
Kids Can Press, 2022
Picture book, 32 pages, ages 3-7

Little Rabbit is tired of winter. When will it be spring? His parents tell him to be patient, but he doesn’t like to wait. So he asks Grandmama Rabbit when winter will be over. “Only the trees know,” she replies. So Little Rabbit asks the trees, but are they too tall to see or hear him? It takes a few tries and disappointment for Little Rabbit to get his answer and realize that the trees heard him all along.

Lyrical writing, and lovely illustrations.

This is a simple, slow-paced story with a not-so-hidden lesson of patience. However, it is not preachy, and Little Rabbit is adorable and easy to root for. Kids will be able to relate to his impatience and propensity to get frustrated. (Let’s be honest; we all can relate to Little Rabbit at times!)

This would be a good addition to a winter bookshelf (not sure if any impatient kids will want to read this story in summer) or a bedtime book pile. Recommended for younger readers.

Only the Trees Know by Jane Whittingham receives four and a half stars from this reviewer.