The Hare-Shaped Hole

Written by John Dougherty & illustrated by Thomas Docherty ages 3-5 years

The Hare-Shaped Hole is a beautiful, touching, and poignant picture book which gently explores themes of grief and loss.

Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever and whenever you looked, you would find them together… until quite unexpectedly… the end came.

When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be. He pleads with it, get angry with it, but the hole still won’t bring his Hertle back. It seems like hope is lost… until Gerda the kindly bear finds him. She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly… Bertle begins to feel a little bit better. Powerful and moving text from children’s author and poet John Dougherty is paired perfectly with warm illustrations from the wonderfully talented Thomas Docherty in a thoughtful and sensitive approach to this difficult topic.

This moving picture book can be used as part of a gentle conversation about death and grief with children.

About the Author

John’s also a singer, a songwriter, a published poet, and a seasoned schools and festival performer with all the skills necessary to have a crowd of kids helpless with laughter one minute, and ready to leave the hall quietly and sensibly the next. He’s visited schools and festivals from Swindon to Sydney, from Milan to Mumbai, and his appearance before a crowd of 1700 children and teachers at the 2017 Hay Festival was live-streamed to 900 primary schools.

Thomas Docherty is an author and illustrator of children’s books based in Swansea. His first book, The Little Boat, was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal, and his books have been translated into over 25 languages.

"Loss is a universal experience, and one of The Hare-Shaped Hole’s central messages is that while grief is unavoidable, it is survivable. I’m very thankful for the work of organisations like RainbowsGB who – like Gerda, the wise bear in the story – help children to deal with bereavement in all its forms, and very grateful that they’ve chosen to recommend The Hare-Shaped Hole as a story that might, in turn, help in the vital work they do." John Dougherty