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Rabbit and Bear #2

The Pest in the Nest

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Shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award and the Children's Book of the Year in the Irish Book Awards.

This is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear who discover that things are always better when they're shared with a friend.

"Peace and quiet!", shouts Rabbit. "That's all I want!"

Ouch. He's hurt his own ears again.

What with Bear's snoring and a BANG! -BANG! - BANG! noice from up in the tree, Rabbit knows that something simply has to be done.

But high in the branches, perhaps Bear can show Rabbit how to see the world from a different place. . .

From novelist and playwright Julian Gough, and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, this is as tale of friendship, wisdom, and how to be really noisy.

©2019 Julian Gough and Jim Field (P)2019 Hodder Children's Books

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 8, 2016

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262 people want to read

About the author

Julian Gough

42 books160 followers
Julian Gough is an award winning author of funny stories about serious things. He won the BBC National Short Story Award in 2007 (when it was the biggest prize in the world for a single short story). His “The iHole” was shortlisted for the one-off BBC International Short Story Award in 2012. He has also been shortlisted, twice, for the Everyman Bollinger Wodehouse Prize for comic fiction.

He represented Ireland in Best European Fiction 2010; won a Pushcart Prize in the US in 2011; and represented Britain in Best British Short Stories 2012. London born and Irish raised, he now lives in Berlin.

He is the author of three novels, Juno & Juliet, Jude in Ireland, and Jude in London; two radio plays, The Great Hargeisa Goat Bubble, and The Great Squanderland Roof; and a poetry collection, Free Sex Chocolate.

In 2011, he wrote the ending to Time Magazine’s computer game of the year, Minecraft.

As a youth, he wrote and sang on four albums by Toasted Heretic, and had a top ten hit with the single "Galway and Los Angeles”.

He is probably best known for stealing Will Self’s pig.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
Profile Image for Sean Kennedy.
Author 44 books1,013 followers
February 4, 2017
I feel like this book targeted me personally. I haven't felt like a fictional character has best represented me in ages, and it turns out to be an angry rabbit with emotional issues.

description

As with most good "children's" books, there is wisdom in here that speaks to everyone, regardless of age.
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,259 reviews3,568 followers
March 26, 2019
Unlike the first book in the series, which had a little more action, this is an esoteric little story about changing your thoughts and perspective. While I certainly can't fault it for its themes, I was a little disappointed since I had certain expectations after reading the first book.

Spring is coming to the forest, and there's a new nuisance in town: Woodpecker. She sits up in a tree, banging away at the bark to make a hole for her nest. Rabbit can't stand the noise, and his annoyance makes him want to blame the world for all his woes. Bear eventually takes him up the tree so he can see the beauty of the world around them, and Rabbit realizes he's just a very small part of all of it. Slowly, he learns that he can change the way he thinks about things, and that can change his feelings. Even Bear's annoying snoring can become a positive thing!

The first book featured an action-packed chase scene with a wolf, but the climax here is really just a party that all the newly awoken animals attend. The wolf shows up, too (and Bear feeds Wolf so he doesn't get hungry and eat anyone). It's kind of... anticlimactic. Had I read this book first, I might not feel the same way. Given the theme of looking at things from different perspectives, maybe that's partly the point...

There are a few technical problems with the writing, and the illustrations seem a bit uneven (there are a few that look rougher than others, although there are still plenty of very cute drawings of the animals and their friends). At over a hundred pages, it's a long picture book, but it doesn't really seem like it. Determined bedtime readers can probably get through this in one evening if they really want to.

So, overall, I'm not in love with this. I prefer the first book in the series... by a lot. But on its own, it's a decent picture book with a good message. I just wish there had been a little more action... and a bit less whining.

Quotable moment:



Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Kids Hodder Children for providing a digital ARC.
7,032 reviews83 followers
March 18, 2019
Good, funny, well illustrated, a bit long for the targeted reader, and with a strong, positive and great morale about letting go and accepting others and the world as it is for your own good! Well done!
Profile Image for Zinaida.
92 reviews38 followers
April 6, 2022
Невротичният малък заек беше много забавен. Напомня ми на някого... :))
Profile Image for Книжни Криле.
3,617 reviews203 followers
December 8, 2018
На Заекът и Мечката ич е време окончателно да изоставят зимния сън. Пуква пролет. Ама с такъв ужасен пукот, че направо да оглушееш! Снежните човеци са се стопили. Точно като търпението на Заека! „Заек и Мечка 2: Вредител в нашата обител” (изд. „Таймлайнс стор”) е логичното, достойно и неизменно развеселяващо продължение на свежарската поредица на писателя и драматург Джулиън Гоф и носителя на наградата за забавна детска книга „Роалд Дал” Джим Фийлд. Анималистична приказка от нов вид и за ново поколение читатели, „Заек и Мечка 2” доказва, че многообещаващата първата част не е била просто щастлива случайност. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews455 followers
December 24, 2017
The second book in the Rabbit/Bear series, and this time I managed to find the book in English!

I was quite looking forward to it, though I have to say I didn’t like it as much as the previous book. Not only do we have an annoying rabbit still (then again, that is not that weird he is one of the protagonists), but we also have an annoying woodpecker. Sorry, I just have no love for animals like woodpeckers. They look nice and pretty, but their pecking…. good grief. I just could hear it even though I am reading the book. Not a good thing when one has a headache already.

Plus the whole message was just too much sugar and sweetness. Really, can’t we just have characters be pissy/unhappy (then again, it seems that Rabbit is always grumpy). But just like the previous book there is a whole message and moral thingie, and frankly I just didn’t like it that much. It just felt too forced to be good.

The bear was still the best character but she was just a bit too goodie goodie to be much enjoyable in this book. I get that she wants everything to be happy go lucky, but sometimes you just have to let people be themselves, even if that means they are annoying as hell.

I did like that this book took place so close after the first book, and that it is now becoming spring in their world.

The art was definitely the best in the whole book. I just adore Jim Field’s art!

Though I have to say that one thing was a bit off, the book describes the woodpecker’s head as a green blur.. but her head isn’t green? It is grey/black-ish.

But will I continue this series? Mm, no, I don’t think I will.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Laura.
3,249 reviews102 followers
March 23, 2019
This had lovely pictures, and a nice enough theme, that of mindfulness and being able to be at peace in a crazy world.

My problem was that it took so long for Rabbit to come to that conclusion. It took him so long to realize that he could not change the world, just how he reacted to the world.





And yes, that is how it is in real life, but how often do picture books happen as they do in real life.

Other than how long it took, it is funny how Rabbit doesn't get it, and Bear does.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mathew.
1,560 reviews220 followers
September 2, 2017
I think with the first book done, Gough is absolutely in his stride with this one. Whilst I found Rabbit's Bad Habits fun, I felt that it didn't have the same balance of humour, wit and character that I was expecting but this one is a cracker! My four-year old wanted this read in one sitting and thought that Rabbit was hilarious. I really liked the fact that, without shoving it down your throat, rabbit's realisation of the fact that the world might be terrible because of his own attitudes rather than those he's surrounded with was wonderful and Bear is there is guide him. It's not quite Winnie-the-Pooh but, equally, it is many respects a Pooh of our times. Can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Taija.
276 reviews9 followers
May 23, 2018
Tämä ei ollut niin hauska kun ensimmäinen Karhu ja Kaniini -kirja (koska ei kakkajuttuja?). Kaniini alkoi olla ärsyttävän hermoheikko, mutta toisaalta karhun ja kaniinin luonteiden perusero tuli kivasti esille. Että kun joku on räyhäkkäämpi, toinen voi olla hyvinkin rauhallinen. Ääneenluettuna tikan toistuva mekkala toimi tosi hyvin ja herätti kuulijoissa hirnuntaa (eläimellistä).
Profile Image for Bistra Ivanova.
900 reviews217 followers
September 22, 2021
Отново много приятна история, която ни потапя и в света на емоциите. Забавна, премерена, убедена съм, че се харесва много и на децата.
7 reviews
March 31, 2025
I think it was really good and it was really funny, it was fun to read. It taught me that you can be just who you are no matter who you are and you can feel however you want to feel.
(6 years old)
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,349 reviews184 followers
February 9, 2017
Rabbit wakes up because of Bear's snoring and returns home to his own burrow. But his burrow needs a little cleaning after the long winter, Tortoise nearly scares Rabbit out of his skin, and then someone starts making a horrendous noise. Is the world out to get Rabbit...or is it him?

A good lesson on how to beat the grumpies when you can't change the annoying circumstances around you but you can change your own attitude. Bear is such a great example of a friend for kids. She doesn't avoid telling Rabbit a hard truth (basically that his attitude is the problem, not the rest of the world), but she points out his error tactfully and in love. If a good friend can't tell us the hard truths, then who will? The two of them find a way to turn a potentially annoying circumstance (woodpecker incessantly pecking) into a fun time for the whole forest. Oh man, I so identify with Rabbit in this story (even if I don't really want to admit that...because sometimes Rabbit is annoying). I can't stand repetitive annoying noises. But Bear has a good point, even if it is hard to put into practice. A hard but good lesson conveyed by (mostly) fun forest creatures. I really like the illustrations in this series. They make the book better.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,646 reviews179 followers
June 16, 2019
My grandchildren did not enjoy this book as much as the first. My grandson kept asking why Rabbit is so mad all the time. Even as I read and explained, he kept fixating on Rabbit being so mad.

Spring is coming to the forest, and there's a new animal in the neighbourhood, a woodpecker. She sits up in a tree, pecking away at the it to make a hole for her nest. Rabbit can't stand the noise, and his anger and annoyance has him blaming the world for everything. Bear tries to calm him down, but is not having a lot of luck. When bear finally takes him up the tree so he can see the beauty of the world around them, Rabbit realizes he's just a very small part of the world around him. Slowly, he learns that he can change the way he thinks about things, and that can change his feelings. Even Bear's annoying snoring can become a positive thing! All the animals wake up and they have a party, everyone getting along, even the wolf who wanted to eat them earlier in the story. There was not a lot happening in this story and it was rather anti-climatic. The lesson that it is possible to change your outlook on life was lost on my grandson. I was disappointed in this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Profile Image for Jessica F.
850 reviews37 followers
December 30, 2020
Not a fan. Some of the humor I get, but some of it just isn't funny. I feel like this was such a dramatic departure from the character growth Rabbit made in the first book!

After being awakened by Bear's big hibernation snores, Rabbit just wants some peace and quiet. Everything and everyone seems to drive him "crazy," leading Rabbit to kick innocent bystanders (like a sleeping tortoise) and generally just take out his bad mood on whatever happens to be in his path. I also wasn't a fan of how often the author used the word "crazy" and "stupid." Will not be recommending this series to young readers.
Profile Image for Kirjapallo.
397 reviews27 followers
January 29, 2018
Kirjan kannessa lukee: "Helppo lukea itse!"

Minusta tämä on kuitenkin vähän enemmän ääneenlukukirja: Tekstiä on enemmän kuin edellisessä Kaverin kamalat tavat -kirjassa ja aiheessakin on vähän enemmän purtavaa. Kaniinia nimittäin ärsyttää muut eläimet ihan mahdottomasti, mutta sitten se näkee puun latvasta, että maailma onkin paljon suurempi kuin mitä se oli ajatellut.

Kaniini muisti keinuneensa yläoksilla hyvin pienenä kaniinina hyvin suuressa maailmassa.

"Vau!" se henkäisi. Ja se lakkasi taistelemasta maailmaa vastaan. Ja se lakkasi taistelemasta itseään vastaan. Ja juuri silloin se hyväksyi kaiken.


Tämä on niin tärkeä asia että toivottavasti lapset ymmärtävät tämän edes jollain tasolla! Mutta tosiaan, suosittelen lukemaan ääneen. :) (Tämän ääneen lukeminen on sitäpaitsi varmasti hauskaa, sillä tässä on hahmoina tooosi hiiidas kiilpikoonna ja tositosinopea tikka.)

Profile Image for Becky.
118 reviews17 followers
March 21, 2019
This is a great book for those early readers as its artwork is adorable, the writing and story are simple to follow and it’s captivating. Rabbit is having a hard time with his emotions and being angry. Though with help from his friend bear, he changes his mindset from negative to positive.

It was cute, hilarious and inspiring. This would be a great book to read together with younger kids and talk about the concept of perspective, positivity and thinking things through before reacting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Printers Row Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lana.
360 reviews21 followers
March 15, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! Rabbit, bear and all the woodland critters in this story are adorable. Rabbit is having a hard time with some of the sounds of the forest. Whether it’s bear snoring or a woodpecker pecking on a nearby tree, it’s infuriating rabbit! His wise friend, bear offers some great advice. Even though you can’t control the forest, you CAN control your own thoughts! What a powerful lesson!❤️
I plan to read this one to my 8 year old son who gets annoyed and frustrated very easily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Printer’s Row Publishing for this advanced reader copy.
Profile Image for Irene.
1,003 reviews
January 13, 2018
Konijn is boos op de te stille en slome schildpad en de Specht is te luidruchtig. Ze moeten stoppen en veranderen, maar Beer oppert dat Konijn zijn gedachten kan veranderen. Konijn vindt alleen dat zijn gedachten perfect zijn.

Weer een prachtig geïllustreerd boekje, met een leuk verhaal. Bevat wijsheden voor kinderen én volwassenen.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
Author 82 books1,368 followers
January 10, 2019
I read this chapter book first to my 5-year-old and then to my 10-year-old (a couple of hours apart), and not only did both boys laugh a lot, but I laughed, too, both times as I read it to them. It's a really delightful chapter book, with some really lovely messages about how to cope with overwhelming emotions smoothly conveyed through the snappy, funny writing and clever story - and with some really breathtakingly beautiful artwork, too. We all really, really loved this and now plan to read the rest of the series. None of us had ever read the first book in the series (this is Book 2) before I bought this one today, but it certainly didn't make any difference - they seem to all be perfectly standalone stories.

This really was my favorite chapterbook I've read with the kids in a very, very long time!
Profile Image for Radka.
380 reviews6 followers
December 30, 2018
Прекрасна! Хареса ми дори повече от първата. Забавна и свежа история. Красиви илюстрации.
Profile Image for Tara.
1,232 reviews
August 5, 2019
I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I enjoyed this funny story about friendship and about loud noises. A fun read and fun illustrations.
Profile Image for Kristina.
563 reviews31 followers
August 12, 2019
Прекрасни илюстрации и философска история. Заслужава си да се посмееш на негативизма на един заек, който го е страх от височини.
Profile Image for Alexis.
81 reviews
May 9, 2022
Loved this read aloud. I laughed out loud and some excellent lessons along the way.
Profile Image for Rashmi.
38 reviews8 followers
January 13, 2023
A heart-warming story for small kids, about managing their anger, treating their attitude towards others, and learning that the world's resources are for all of us to share!

A great book for 6 to 8 year old kids.
Profile Image for Michelle Weijers.
121 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2021
Deel twee van Beer en Konijn is weer net zo leuk om voor te lezen als deel een. Nu met een paar nieuwe dieren erbij; de specht en de schildpad. Beiden erg leuk om voor te lezen. Vooral om schildpad hebben we ontzettend gelachen (diieeee praaaaat heeeeeel laaaaangzaaaam). Hilarisch! Net als deel een is dit boek wederom grappig, leerzaam en met mooie illustraties.
Profile Image for Κόκκινη  Αλεπού.
119 reviews47 followers
January 16, 2020
Μια συμπαθέστατη αρκούδα συναντά με εντελώς παράδοξο τρόπο έναν απίστευτα αντιπαθητικό κούνελο με πολύ κακές συνήθειες. Το περίεργο και καθόλου ταιριαστό δίδυμο ζώων θα γίνουν τελικά φίλοι- ή τουλάχιστον έτσι νομίζει η αρκούδα – και μαζί – ή μόνη της αρκούδα, γιατί ο κούνελος όλο γκρινιάζει – θα προσπαθήσουν να βρουν λύση στα προβλήματά τους. Ο Ιρλανδός Julian Gough έγραψε ένα (δύο, βασικά τέσσερα) από τα πιο αστεία βιβλία που απευθύνονται σε παιδιά.

Σατιρικός συγγραφέας, μυθιστοριογράφος και αρθρογράφος σε μεγάλα βρετανικά Μέσα, ο Gough εμπνεύστηκε την ιστορία των δύο ζώων όταν ένα βράδυ, διαβάζοντας ένα εικονογραφημένο βιβλίο με πρωταγωνιστή μια αρκούδα και ένα κουνέλι στην 6χρονη τότε κόρη του, κοιμήθηκε σχεδόν από βαρεμάρα. Το βιβλίο ήταν – λέει – τόσο τέλειο, με τους τέλειους χαρακτήρες του και την τέλεια ιστορία του, που όμως δεν γινόταν απολύτως τίποτα. Καμία δράση, κανένα πρόβλημα, καμία λύση! Ετσι, αποφάσισαν με την κόρη του να ξαναγράψουν την ιστορία που διάβασαν από την αρχή. Μόνο που το έκαναν πολύ καλύτερα, αν κρίνουμε από αυτό που μόλις διαβάσαμε.

Τι είναι όμως αυτό που έχουν οι ιστορίες του Gough και διαφέρουν από τις περισσότερες άλλες που απευθύνονται σε παιδιά δημοτικού; Το χιούμορ. Το αυθεντικό, έξυπνο, αβίαστο χιούμορ. Παράλληλα, τα βιβλία αυτά είναι ένα περίεργο, αλλά εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρον και κυρίως διασκεδαστικό, κράμα βιβλίου γ��ώσεων και παιδικής λογοτεχνίας· ο ίδιος ο Gough τα χαρακτηρίζει ως “ο David Attenborough συναντά τον Winnie the Pooh!” Και είναι ακριβώς αυτό, γιατί ενώ διαβάζεις μια εξαιρετικά αστεία ιστορία, σε δεύτερο επίπεδο γίνεσαι δέκτης πολλών πληροφοριών που έχουν να κάνουν με τη ζωή στα δάση.

Περισσότερα εδω --> http://kokkinialepou.gr/koynelos-kai-...
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