Beneath

★《紐約時報》評選最佳童書《別傷心，我會陪著你》The Rabbit Listened作者最新作品
 
　　芬恩覺得很不開心，爺爺想跟他聊聊，但芬恩什麼都不想講，覺得爺爺根本不會懂他的心情。爺爺於是建議芬恩跟他一起到外頭走走，芬恩躲在毯子底下，勉為其難的答應了。
　　
　　走在海邊的森林裡，芬恩與爺爺看到了很多東西：又大又強壯的樹底下，藏有複雜的根系盤根錯節；平靜的水面下可能暗潮湧動。猜猜看小鳥守在巢裡為了什麼？她快要當媽媽囉。一路上，芬恩臉上的表情慢慢開朗起來。爺爺跟他說，在人的表面之下，每個人都比你看到的更複雜。外表之下是不同的人生經驗，行為的背後藏著原因，每個人不一樣的特質之下，也藏著彼此的共通之處。
 
　　爺爺告訴芬恩：有時候，你可能覺得別人不懂你的感受，但其實他跟你有同樣的心情。以繪本帶來溫柔而撫慰的力量，提醒我們事物常常不是只有單一的面向，我們有共通之處也各有各的獨特，別忘了懷抱寬廣的心，探索接納週邊的世界和人們。

        In this stunning story from the creator of The Rabbit Listened, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves and their feelings.

        Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it, but after some persuading, agrees to go for a hike with Grandpa.

        Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her. Grandpa explains that people also have hidden feelings beneath the surface, and despite appearances, may be feeling the say way you do.

        Visual clues such as the beautiful quilt endpapers hint that both are grieving for the loss of Finn's granny.

        Review
        A boy in a grump agrees to go on a hike with Grandpa, and as they explore the forest they talk about how other people might be feeling bad, even if they don’t show it on the surface. From the creator of The Rabbit Listened.' THE BOOKSELLER

        'The poignant text by award-winning Cori Doerrfeld incites young readers to think deeply and challenge their perceptions about how we see the world and the people around us. The illustrations glow with warmth and wonder. Whether the topic is family, nature, thinking skills, understanding other people or circle time discussion, EYFS teachers will find ‘Beneath’ an invaluable picture book.' SCHOOL READING LIST

        'This apparently simple, beautiful book (rather like Doerrfeld’s previous book The Rabbit Listened, which was part of the 2020 Empathy Lab collection of books) contains a profound message about looking beyond appearances and understanding that we all have stuff going on under the surface. It’s a gorgeous read, worded simply and effectively, and Doerrfeld’s soft, kind and heart-warming illustrations are perfect.' BOOKTRUST

        'Beneath is a perfect way to talk about how we look and feel and how those things may well be different. It allows for discussions about physical differences but also emotional aspects that may be hidden from view. It demonstrates how important an intergenerational relationship can be and how families can support each other through tough times.' JUST IMAGINE

        'A beautiful book, which takes seriously children’s emotions (there is a subtle narrative about bereavement and grief which could be drawn out if appropriate).' CHURCH TIMES

        'Encourages children to think about what lies beneath the surface in people's hearts and minds. Through empathy, Finn learns to cope with his own emotions as well as support others. This is a lovely story for FS & KS1.' SCOPE FOR IMAGINATION

        'Grandpa helps Finn to realise that how people are feeling isn’t always obvious. It gradually becomes clear that they are both feeling the same sense of loss & the endpaper subtly confirms the reason. #Beneath is a gentle, reassuring book about grief.' WRITE ABOUT BOOKS

Cori Doerrfeld lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband and two children. She has a degree in Studio Art from St. Olaf College and a Post Baccalaureate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Cori is a New York Times bestselling author-illustrator, and in the UK has twice been a winner of the Teach Early Years Award with THE RABBIT LISTENED and SAY GOODBYE...SAY HELLO.