About the Holiday

Established in 1999 by UNESCO, Mother Language Day celebrates cultural diversity and promotes the protection of endangered languages. Events include multicultural festivals where all voices are heard and social cohesion, cultural awareness, and tolerance are honored.

The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo

By Jonathan Allen

Little Rabbit sits in the farmer’s field listening to the animals talk and learning their languages. “Moo,” Little Rabbit repeats, “Moo.” A calf responds and questions Little Rabbit. It turns out that Little Rabbit knows and likes many languages. Calf joins Rabbit in the fun. “Baa,” they say together, which summons Lamb. The three friends decide to try “Oink.” With each new noise, the group expands and enthusiastically continues their linguistic experiment.

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Finally, after a rousing chorus of “Quack,” Duckling asks , “Why are you all saying quack? You’re not ducks.” Baby Donkey is the first to answer. “I like Quack.” “So do I…Me too,” the other young animals pipe up. “Is quack your favorite animal sound?” Duckling asks. Each animal then reveals with pride that, while they like other noises, they prefer their own. But what about Little Rabbit, who doesn’t “have a big noise?” Will Rabbit’s answer begin the game again?

The wide-eyed, smiling animals in this adorable picture book by author-illustrator Jonathan Allen perfectly captures the joyous camaraderie of good friends discovering the world together. The book is a wonderful introduction for young children to the ideas of inclusiveness and self-esteem. Kids will love the repetition as each new animal joins the group, and will have as much fun saying each sound as Little Rabbit and the other farmyard friends.

Ages 2 – 5

Boxer Books Limited, 2015 (Board Book) | ISBN 978-1910126257

International Rabbit Day Activity

Paper Bag Rabbit Puppet

With this easy and fun craft you can make your own little rabbit who likes to play with you and talk in other languages! Make up stories of your own – what does your little rabbit like to do?

Supplies

Rabbit Puppet Template
A paper lunch bag
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Cotton Ball
Scissors
Glue or tape

Directions

Print the Rabbit Puppet template.
Color the parts of the rabbit and cut them out.
Place the flat paper bag on a table with the bottom flap facing you. Glue or tape the eyes, and the nose and whiskers to the bottom flap. Attach the ears, placing the tabs behind the top of the bottom flap. Attach the paws to the body below the bottom flap. Attach the cotton ball tail to the opposite side of the bag.
When it’s dry, use your puppet to read The Little Rabbit Who Liked to Say Moo again and play along, making the other animals’ sounds.
Then let your Little Rabbit try saying “Hi” in the languages below.