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Laugh-Along Lessons
Listen Buddy
Buddy's father had a beautiful big nose. He was a great sniffer. Buddy's mother had beautiful big teeth. She was a great chomper. Buddy had beautiful big ears. It didn't matter. Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger have created eight children's books together. Munsinger's unparalleled animal characters and Lester's hysterical text have joined together to create another silly tale about a bunny who just can't seem to listen.
32 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 1997
7 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Helen Lester
83 books78 followersHelen Lester is the author of many children’s books. Her background with children includes being a mother of two and a former elementary school teacher of ten years. While at home with her children, Helen realized the importance of quality children’s literature. Helen started her writing career as a struggling author facing many rejections by publishing companies. Her first book was finally published in 1979. Helen Lester is a full-time writer who makes her home in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
December 21, 2012
Buddy was a rabbit with great big ears. His father had a beautiful big nose and a wonderful sense of smell. His mother had beautiful big teeth and could chomp carrots with the best of them. Unfortunately, Buddy’s beautiful big ears did not make him a good listener. Buddy got very distracted and so he just didn’t listen. His parents asked him to bring some squash home from the market; he brought a basket of wash instead. When they sent him for tomatoes, he came home with potatoes. His parents tried everything, talking louder, softer, standing right in front of him, but nothing seemed to work. One day Buddy’s parents gave him permission for his first long hop alone. He was so excited he didn’t listen to their warning, “At the end of the road, there are two paths. The path to the left will lead you around the pond and back home. But the path to the right will lead you to the cave of the Scruffy Varmint.” At the end of the road Buddy hopped right. Right into the Scruffy Varmint! Will Buddy survive his encounter with the snarling, mangy Scruffy Varmint or will he be made into bunnyrabbit soup?
The message of this rollicking tale is that listening is important. Lester’s text is a mixture of snappy dialogue and fast-paced narrative, which keeps this book from sounding teachy-preachy. The characters are depicted humorously in the text and illustrations and the exaggerated results of Buddy's lack of listening will elicit many a giggle. Munsinger’s illustrations are brightly colored and pen and ink lines provide definition and detail. The anthropomorphic animals are dressed in solid colors and much is conveyed with facial expressions and body language. For all his faults, Buddy is an endearing protagonist and Munsinger never misses an opportunity to incorporate Buddy’s big ears into her compositions.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The message of this rollicking tale is that listening is important. Lester’s text is a mixture of snappy dialogue and fast-paced narrative, which keeps this book from sounding teachy-preachy. The characters are depicted humorously in the text and illustrations and the exaggerated results of Buddy's lack of listening will elicit many a giggle. Munsinger’s illustrations are brightly colored and pen and ink lines provide definition and detail. The anthropomorphic animals are dressed in solid colors and much is conveyed with facial expressions and body language. For all his faults, Buddy is an endearing protagonist and Munsinger never misses an opportunity to incorporate Buddy’s big ears into her compositions.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
April 14, 2015
Lester, Helen Listen, Buddy, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. PICTURE BOOK. HMH Books, 2013. (Original printing: 1995.) $8.99. Content: G.
Buddy is NOT a good listener. When his dad asks him for a pen, for example, Buddy brings back a hen. And when his mother requests a slice of bread, well, he slices his bed instead. So it's no surprise that when Buddy is sent on an errand, he forgets which way he is supposed to go and ends up at the home of the Scruffy Varmint. But even the terrifying Scruffy Varmint can't get through to Buddy. Not until Buddy mishears something crucial and gets the fright of his life. That day Buddy learns how to run fast -- and how to finally listen.
This is a cute story with a good lesson about listening. Children will delight in Buddy's silly misunderstandings and cheer for him when he finally gets it right. Contains a link to a free download of the audio version.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn.
Buddy is NOT a good listener. When his dad asks him for a pen, for example, Buddy brings back a hen. And when his mother requests a slice of bread, well, he slices his bed instead. So it's no surprise that when Buddy is sent on an errand, he forgets which way he is supposed to go and ends up at the home of the Scruffy Varmint. But even the terrifying Scruffy Varmint can't get through to Buddy. Not until Buddy mishears something crucial and gets the fright of his life. That day Buddy learns how to run fast -- and how to finally listen.
This is a cute story with a good lesson about listening. Children will delight in Buddy's silly misunderstandings and cheer for him when he finally gets it right. Contains a link to a free download of the audio version.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn.
April 5, 2013
Another clever story from Helen Lester. I love the characters that she creates. They are always so quirky and odd. Buddy, the rabbit with big ears and a problem with listening, is not exception. I really enjoyed the story and the Scruffy Varmint was very amusing. I felt bad for him, having to put up with such lousy help, but Buddy eventually learned a lesson, even if it was at the expense of the Scruffy Varmint's soup.
August 14, 2016
Oh how I hope this book sunk into the hearts of my children. I have felt like buddy's parents many times! Great, fun way to show kids the importance of listening...krb 8/6/16
Read to dad, he liked it :)...krb 8/13/16
Read to dad, he liked it :)...krb 8/13/16
September 13, 2009
we laugh out loud every single time we get to "who get the what from the where side of the where what?" so much fun to read and a good lesson as well
September 27, 2013
This is a really great book about a bunny who has a hard time listening and his parents are frustrated. Great book about the importance of listening. Cute book
February 5, 2021
Buddy learns about listening the hard way when he finds himself in a pickle.
Read
February 27, 2017Title: Listen Buddy
Author: Helen Lester
Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
Genre: Predictable
Theme(s): Rabbits, listening
Opening Line/Sentence:
Buddy’s father had a beautiful big nose.
He was a great sniffer.
Brief Book Summary:
Listen Buddy is centralized around a bunny rabbit named Buddy. Buddy has very long, large ears but fails to listen and comprehend with whatever his parents ask of him. When Buddy decides to go out for a ‘hop’ into unknown territory, he ends up in trouble. He would have been able to avoid the trouble had he listened and remembered which direction to go down the path to safety as told to him by his parents. Buddy ends up making it home safely and pays closer listening attention.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Phyllis Kenemer, Ph.D. (Children’s Literature)
Buddy has big, beautiful ears, but he does not use them to listen accurately. He comes home from his errand to the vegetable stand with a basket of wash instead of a basket of squash; he buys fifteen potatoes instead of fifteen tomatoes; and he hands his father a hen instead of a pen. His parent’s constant request to Listen, Buddy goes unheeded. On the day that Buddy asks for permission to go on a long hop, his parents warn him about turning left at the fork in the road to avoid an encounter with Scruffy Varmint. Buddy does not hear them and hops right up to the varmint’s cave. Buddy offers to help Scruffy Varmint with his preparations for soup, not realizing that he is the intended main ingredient! Buddy hands Varmint briarwood instead of firewood, flowers instead of flour, and five inches of salt instead of five pinches. After all the confusing components have been added to the pot, Buddy obligingly throws the mixture in the fire when asked to put the soup on the fire. The angry varmint howls, I will have bunny rabbit soup. Buddy listens that time, and he hops home faster than he has ever moved in his life. From then on, Bunny listens! The attractive watercolor illustrations give personality to the characters and add to the humor. This is a fun choice for story time.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Hazel Rochman (Booklist)
Buddy is a daydreaming rabbit who never listens. When his mother asks for a basket of squash, he comes with a basket of wash. When his father asks for a pen, Buddy brings him a hen. One day Buddy meets the Scruffy Varmint monster, who nearly makes him into rabbit soup, but Buddy tricks and blunders his way out of trouble and wakes up to the world around him. Kids will enjoy the slapstick and the word jokes. Munsinger's joyful watercolors extend the farce of the disaster scenarios: in one wonderful scene we see that Buddy has sawed off a piece of bed when he's asked for a slice of bread. Use this with French's retelling of the old English folktale Lazy Jack, about a sleepy kid bewildered by adult instructions.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both professional reviews point out the comedy that the book presents with Buddy failing to listen to the directions he is given. For example, Buddy brings potatoes instead of tomatoes. The reviews also pointed out close attention to the watercolor detailed paintings of the book. Although predictable, the book is fun and grabs the attention of the reader. The book teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of listening.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements:
As previously mentioned, the book has many rhyming words such as potato and tomato, squash and wash, and pinch and inch. The watercolor illustrations throughout the book are skilled and impressive. The plot is predictable. Buddy does not listen and then faces a time of conflict, which then makes him reconsider the importance of his listening skills.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
The most important takeaway from this book is about listening. If an individual does not listen to instructions or advice, they may end up in a position they do not want to be in. A listening activity with students would be beneficial. Giving directions only once as opposed to two, three or four times would be a way to improve attention, listening, and respect for the teachers and others.
Author: Helen Lester
Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
Genre: Predictable
Theme(s): Rabbits, listening
Opening Line/Sentence:
Buddy’s father had a beautiful big nose.
He was a great sniffer.
Brief Book Summary:
Listen Buddy is centralized around a bunny rabbit named Buddy. Buddy has very long, large ears but fails to listen and comprehend with whatever his parents ask of him. When Buddy decides to go out for a ‘hop’ into unknown territory, he ends up in trouble. He would have been able to avoid the trouble had he listened and remembered which direction to go down the path to safety as told to him by his parents. Buddy ends up making it home safely and pays closer listening attention.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Phyllis Kenemer, Ph.D. (Children’s Literature)
Buddy has big, beautiful ears, but he does not use them to listen accurately. He comes home from his errand to the vegetable stand with a basket of wash instead of a basket of squash; he buys fifteen potatoes instead of fifteen tomatoes; and he hands his father a hen instead of a pen. His parent’s constant request to Listen, Buddy goes unheeded. On the day that Buddy asks for permission to go on a long hop, his parents warn him about turning left at the fork in the road to avoid an encounter with Scruffy Varmint. Buddy does not hear them and hops right up to the varmint’s cave. Buddy offers to help Scruffy Varmint with his preparations for soup, not realizing that he is the intended main ingredient! Buddy hands Varmint briarwood instead of firewood, flowers instead of flour, and five inches of salt instead of five pinches. After all the confusing components have been added to the pot, Buddy obligingly throws the mixture in the fire when asked to put the soup on the fire. The angry varmint howls, I will have bunny rabbit soup. Buddy listens that time, and he hops home faster than he has ever moved in his life. From then on, Bunny listens! The attractive watercolor illustrations give personality to the characters and add to the humor. This is a fun choice for story time.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Hazel Rochman (Booklist)
Buddy is a daydreaming rabbit who never listens. When his mother asks for a basket of squash, he comes with a basket of wash. When his father asks for a pen, Buddy brings him a hen. One day Buddy meets the Scruffy Varmint monster, who nearly makes him into rabbit soup, but Buddy tricks and blunders his way out of trouble and wakes up to the world around him. Kids will enjoy the slapstick and the word jokes. Munsinger's joyful watercolors extend the farce of the disaster scenarios: in one wonderful scene we see that Buddy has sawed off a piece of bed when he's asked for a slice of bread. Use this with French's retelling of the old English folktale Lazy Jack, about a sleepy kid bewildered by adult instructions.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both professional reviews point out the comedy that the book presents with Buddy failing to listen to the directions he is given. For example, Buddy brings potatoes instead of tomatoes. The reviews also pointed out close attention to the watercolor detailed paintings of the book. Although predictable, the book is fun and grabs the attention of the reader. The book teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of listening.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements:
As previously mentioned, the book has many rhyming words such as potato and tomato, squash and wash, and pinch and inch. The watercolor illustrations throughout the book are skilled and impressive. The plot is predictable. Buddy does not listen and then faces a time of conflict, which then makes him reconsider the importance of his listening skills.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
The most important takeaway from this book is about listening. If an individual does not listen to instructions or advice, they may end up in a position they do not want to be in. A listening activity with students would be beneficial. Giving directions only once as opposed to two, three or four times would be a way to improve attention, listening, and respect for the teachers and others.
August 17, 2020
Am I the only one who is rankled by the lesson of this book? A bunny who has obvious difficulties in listening, constantly messing up, and they just let it continue with a 'Listen Buddy!' rant that even I was tuning out.
No discussion of why he was having difficulties listening, what everyone could do to work through the problem. Instead, he's sent on a task that he obviously fails. From there, he ends up in scrape after scrape with a stranger, only 'learning' his lesson after the stranger threatens to eat him. Runs home and listens from that point forward.
Just... what? For a kid who has difficulties listening, the only option is to be put in a dangerous situation where you could be abused or killed? There wasn't a more controlled environment to teach the kid that not listening could be dangerous? 'Don't worry, kids, your parents can be negligent too, but you better listen!'
The only educationally appropriate mark I can give it is that it has a lot of repetition and wordplay to expand vocabulary, hence the 2 stars.
No discussion of why he was having difficulties listening, what everyone could do to work through the problem. Instead, he's sent on a task that he obviously fails. From there, he ends up in scrape after scrape with a stranger, only 'learning' his lesson after the stranger threatens to eat him. Runs home and listens from that point forward.
Just... what? For a kid who has difficulties listening, the only option is to be put in a dangerous situation where you could be abused or killed? There wasn't a more controlled environment to teach the kid that not listening could be dangerous? 'Don't worry, kids, your parents can be negligent too, but you better listen!'
The only educationally appropriate mark I can give it is that it has a lot of repetition and wordplay to expand vocabulary, hence the 2 stars.
May 4, 2023
According to "Booklist," Kids will enjoy the slapstick and the word jokes.
Perhaps some of us grownups will be permitted to not join in the merriment.
Given Buddy's problems with processing information, we don't have to be specialists in cognitive psychology to appreciate that Buddy has more serious problems than how he's been labeled by Helen Lester -- namely as someone who needs to "learn to listen."
But for the sake of all those who enjoy making fun of people who are different, sure, enjoy this book. May my FIVE STAR rating allow you to continue to judge and ridicule people unlike yourself. Why would I try to stop you?
As for those of us who strive to encounter others with curiosity, compassion, and some basic understandings of karma, we're used to finding different versions of fun. That's okay. We can find our own jokes, ones that don't come from making fun of human frailties, differences, even disabilities.
Perhaps some of us grownups will be permitted to not join in the merriment.
Given Buddy's problems with processing information, we don't have to be specialists in cognitive psychology to appreciate that Buddy has more serious problems than how he's been labeled by Helen Lester -- namely as someone who needs to "learn to listen."
But for the sake of all those who enjoy making fun of people who are different, sure, enjoy this book. May my FIVE STAR rating allow you to continue to judge and ridicule people unlike yourself. Why would I try to stop you?
As for those of us who strive to encounter others with curiosity, compassion, and some basic understandings of karma, we're used to finding different versions of fun. That's okay. We can find our own jokes, ones that don't come from making fun of human frailties, differences, even disabilities.
November 29, 2016
Even though Buddy has the BIGGEST, most BEAUTIFUL bunny ears, he isn't very good at listening. Need a slice of bread? Careful, you might get a slice of bed! Need a pen? Well I hope you like eggs, because Buddy will bring you a PEN! One day, Buddy gets to go on a long hop, but has to remember to listen to the directions. When the expected happens, Buddy's problem gets him into trouble with the Scruffy Varmint, who enlists his help making a stew.
This is a fantastic read aloud to keep kids hanging on every word and to teach the idea of plot and problem in a story. This was my first ever read aloud to class, and it was magic to see those kindergarteners so engaged and interested in the story! A week later when we were reviewing it, I was so impressed with how much they remembered and had learned. Fantastic writing and illustrations.
This is a fantastic read aloud to keep kids hanging on every word and to teach the idea of plot and problem in a story. This was my first ever read aloud to class, and it was magic to see those kindergarteners so engaged and interested in the story! A week later when we were reviewing it, I was so impressed with how much they remembered and had learned. Fantastic writing and illustrations.
July 3, 2023
Listen Buddy by Helen Lester is a delightful book about Buddy, a charming bunny who struggles with listening and following instructions. Through captivating storytelling and whimsical illustrations, young readers will enjoy Buddy's journey of learning the importance of attentive behavior. This heartwarming tale emphasizes the positive impact of listening and provides valuable lessons for children. It's an engaging and fun way for young readers to develop essential skills while relating to Buddy's experiences.
November 7, 2023
Listen, Buddy
by Helen Lester
this is another nature story to share with kindergarten. The kids are able to read along with the teacher as she shows the students the book. The simple story shows the need of all children to listen and attend the adults in their world. That they are save and happy when they do what they are told. Its a very good social emotional book that will allow the children to learn respect and understanding.
the pictures are cute and the kids really connect to the story.
April 27, 2018
This book was on my school's pillars of character reading list for responsibility. This bunny has a listening problem. He is always day-dreaming and mis-hearing the things that people say to him. This leads to some amusing mistakes, but the story didn't sit well with me. It wasn't clear that the bunny was day-dreaming or just hard-of-hearing. And the story felt a bit preachy as well. I don't think kids will appreciate this book much past kindergarten.
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February 13, 2020Could be useful for teaching phonics in a K-2 classroom. Lesson ideas:
- do something with rhyming words
- have a recipe where we play around with words and come up with our own dish that has funny things in it
- integrate the book into literacy centers (tomato, potato)
- needs explaining before reading, because it is a more advanced book
- may be hard for bilingual learners - be aware of that
- practice blending words (bread vs. bed)
- do something with rhyming words
- have a recipe where we play around with words and come up with our own dish that has funny things in it
- integrate the book into literacy centers (tomato, potato)
- needs explaining before reading, because it is a more advanced book
- may be hard for bilingual learners - be aware of that
- practice blending words (bread vs. bed)
September 22, 2020
The genre of this book is humor/ fantasy. I like that this story helps show students how important it can be to listen when people are talking to you. I could use this in the beginning of the year to refer to throughout the year, how my students should listen to what people are saying when talking to them. This could be a writing activity of what students should do when listening to someone and for younger grades even draw a picture along with it.
March 31, 2020
Buddy was always in his own head and his listening skills left something to be desired. One day he learned his lesson when he met a Scruffy Varmit. Worse yet, he ruined the Varmit's dinner and Buddy was the next thing on the menu. He escaped to the safety of his home and his listening skills vastly improved.
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November 15, 2022Buddy’s parents have big features. His dad has a big nose and his mom has big teeth. Buddy has big ears but he does not like to listen. He has pretty selective hearing and learns from this in the end. His mother wants him to bring a pen, he brings a hen. When he is learning to hop on his own, he gets lost and ends up getting in trouble.
April 22, 2023
One of my favorite children books! I recommend it to everyone!
It tells of a bunny who doesn't listen to his parents. He always mixes up their words and brings them something that rhymes with the item they asked for instead of the actual item. Then he hops into a varmint and learns the importance of listening. It's a funny story for kids and adults.
It tells of a bunny who doesn't listen to his parents. He always mixes up their words and brings them something that rhymes with the item they asked for instead of the actual item. Then he hops into a varmint and learns the importance of listening. It's a funny story for kids and adults.
October 16, 2020
the date you completed reading the book: 10-14-20
a star rating (1 to 5): 3
the date: 10-16-20
the genre: fiction
appropriate grade range: k-1
a written book review:
A cute way to convey to children the importance of listening.
a star rating (1 to 5): 3
the date: 10-16-20
the genre: fiction
appropriate grade range: k-1
a written book review:
A cute way to convey to children the importance of listening.
January 30, 2022
Buddy the rabbit did not listen even though he had big floppy ears. One day he ventured out by himself after his parents told him to turn left on the path. He turned right and was almost made into soup!
March 25, 2024
One of Mommy’s favorites from her own childhood! A little bunny who’s bad at listening has some misadventures as a result of mishearing his parents’ instructions. A cute story with an important lesson and a refrain that was common in my household growing up - LISTEN, BUDDY!
-Mama
-Mama
December 19, 2024
This was great to share with the students after trying to get all of them to follow the 5 steps to sign off their Chromebooks. I look like that scruffy varmint. The illustration of him losing his temper is perfect for talking about how respect breaks down.
May 27, 2017
Buddy rabbit has really big ears, but he never listens to anything until he almost gets eaten.
November 15, 2017
I love Helen Lester's humor. I read this aloud to kindergartners and was probably more amused than they were! But it definitely made them giggle too! And the Scruffy Varmint is quite a character.
January 20, 2019
Listen
This is a good book to read to your children about listening. It is told in a humorous format in the beginning then moves into a scary situation. My son loved it.
This is a good book to read to your children about listening. It is told in a humorous format in the beginning then moves into a scary situation. My son loved it.
June 26, 2019
A cute story, great for kiddos who may have trouble listening, just like Buddy.
November 6, 2019
If you tell me that your child learned a lesson from this, I'll bump it up a star. But my take away is that not listening will get you out of a jam.
February 19, 2020
Cute story about not listening. Second graders enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews