📖 Overview
A child lives in a cottage with her mother, where they tend to a garden and keep bees. She has always been able to hear the songs of hares, though others cannot.
The arrival of winter brings changes, and the girl finds herself drawn into an ancient ritual involving the hares. She must undertake a journey that will test her connection to these creatures and the natural world.
The story combines folklore elements with themes of coming-of-age and humanity's relationship with nature. Through its exploration of ancient wisdom and modern life, the narrative speaks to the enduring power of traditional stories and our need to protect the wild places that remain.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe Song of the Golden Hare as a visually beautiful children's book with detailed watercolor illustrations that tell a mystical nature story.
Readers highlighted:
- Atmospheric paintings that capture light and landscapes
- The minimal, poetic text that complements the art
- Its ability to enchant both children and adults
- The winter and nature themes
Common critiques:
- Story feels incomplete or too short
- Text is sparse compared to illustrations
- Price point is high for length
- Some found the plot confusing
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.19/5 (216 ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (47 ratings)
Amazon US: 4.8/5 (25 ratings)
Sample review: "The illustrations are breathtaking but I wanted more story development. My children loved looking at the pictures but didn't connect with the narrative." - Goodreads reviewer
Several readers noted buying it as an art book rather than a traditional children's story.
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The Wild Robot by Peter Brown A robot learns to connect with wild animals on a remote island, bridging the gap between nature and technology.
The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle by Victoria Williamson Two young girls discover a family of urban foxes that brings them together across cultural differences.
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver A boy in prehistoric times forms a spiritual bond with a wolf cub while seeking to fulfill his destiny.
The Snow Leopard by Jackie Morris A tale follows a snow leopard's journey through mountains while exploring themes of preservation and natural magic.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown A robot learns to connect with wild animals on a remote island, bridging the gap between nature and technology.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Jackie Morris both wrote and illustrated this enchanting book, creating the artwork using watercolor and gold leaf
🐇 The story draws inspiration from ancient Celtic folklore about mystical hares and their connection to the changing of seasons
🎨 Each illustration in the book took approximately three days to complete, with special attention given to capturing the luminous quality of moonlight on fur
🌿 The author lives in a small cottage by the sea in Wales, where she often observes wild hares in the surrounding countryside that inspire her work
📚 The book explores themes of ancient wisdom being passed down through generations, specifically from mother to daughter, reflecting traditional storytelling practices