On the Other Side of the Forest

by Nadine Robert, Gérard DuBois (Illustrator)

What’s on the other side of the forest? A young rabbit and his father are determined to find out in this modern picture book that feels like a classic, calling to mind the tender work of Beatrix Potter.

Some say that wolves, ogres, and giant badgers live in the forest beside Arthur’s house. That’s why no one ever goes in there, to see what’s on the other side. But one day, Arthur’s dad has an idea—a magnificent idea! Build a tower to look over the treetops! But a magnificent idea takes a lot of work. Will the villagers join and help them? And when the tower takes shape, what will they see on the other side?

This wonderful, heartwarming story by Nadine Robert—with illustrations by Gérard DuBois reminiscent of classic children’s books—shares the importance of community and cooperation to achieve a big dream.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Rabbits, Juvenile, Construction, Fiction

72 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2021

About the author

Nadine Robert began her career as a video–game designer and director of animated films. As the founder of the publishing house Comme des géants, she has always had a strong passion for illustrated children’s books that have a powerfully built narrative approach combined with strong images. Her book, On the Other Side of the Forest, was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus and a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book. She lives in Montréal with her family.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered what’s on the other side?

On the Other Side of the Forest distinguishes itself from the current crowd of picture books with a classic look and feel. I loved it. So much so that I don’t want to return it to the library. I just want to keep reading and flipping through the pages.

Arthur’s home is surrounded by a dark forest. No one ever goes through the forest. There are rumors of ogres! Arthur’s Dad wants to see what lies beyond the forest though, so he comes up with a plan. A tasty plan! With ingenuity, determination, and team work, Arthur and his father set out to build a tower tall enough to see what’s on the other side of the darkness. You have to read and see! It’s a sweet surprise and message that makes me smile just thinking about it now.

These pages are a natural tan with bright white frames around the edges. The art is center stage with the words sitting nice and bright on the white trim. It’s a joy to read.

Highly recommended. Come take a peek!

p.s. Rabbits dressed up in pants, skirts, and shirts always fascinate me. :) It's story magic in the purest form.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a sweet story that touches on the subjects of friendship, community, grit, hard work and learning to pivot when things don't go as you planned. I found the ending really disappointing...I'm not going to lie. And there are some strange inconsistencies like why are the bunny and his dad building this huge tower when there is a grain mill that is basically the same height as the stone tower they built? Still a sweet story with great illustrations.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the author is named Nadine, you know the book will be good, right? ;-)

Absolutely gorgeous woodcut-style art, very retro in a very comforting way. The story is fairly quiet and calm: Dad and son work together, with the help of villagers, to build a bigass stone tower. Fresh bread is involved. The dog, Danton, was a big hit with me and my teen daughter. The ending was exactly what I expected. My daughter announced this book was FANTASTIC! So, five stars, it is!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting story about community and cooperation. Translated from French.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated story of a young rabbit and his father's curiosity and determination to see what lies beyond the forest of their home sparks community fellowship and kindness in this fantastic picture book!

My kids and I enjoyed this one so much! We were eager to see how it would end and it was oh so touching. Its been a favorite everynight at bedtime since! Beatrix Potter fans will rejoice at this one!

Available March 30th!
Thank You so much @greystonekidsbooks opinions are my own.
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[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=240...

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time the eccentric father was a rabbit and he built a tower.

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It won an award for its illustrations, which are cute, but this book is a hot mess overall.

1) Why does a family of rabbits have a pet dog?

2) Why do they want to build a tower to see over the forest when they could have
a) climbed a tree
b) climbed the mill nearby

3) The ending is very anticlimactic, though the picture of the three of them (2 bunnies and their pet dog) looking over the edge of the tower is probably my favorite.

4) Now that the father has traded all their wheat for stones to build this ridiculous tower, how is he going to feed his child and pet??? They're going to starve come winter just so they could wave to a moose who had also built a tower somehow. And seeing as that other tower was close enough they could see the moose, how the heck did they not know the moose lived that close?! Also, they didn't even see to the other side of the forest, so the book was misnamed. Should have been In The Middle Of The Forest.

I know, I know...it's a kids book. It's not that deep. The illustrations are cute. BUT THESE THINGS DROVE ME CRAZY. This might be a good book to try to teach the lesson of, "don't waste your resources on a solution when cheaper methods already exist." If that's the purpose of this book, then I'd probably reconsider. But, it didn't come off as the intent behind the plot.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why build such a weighty tower? They used scaffolding to build it... seems to me that a perfectly good viewing tower could have been built with the same techniques....

But anyway.

I liked it ok. The themes are important. The point of the ending took me a while to figure out. I would like to see more art by the illustrator.

Watched a reading on youtube.

[Veronica Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impecable distribución de texto e imagen para primeros lectores, dejando espacios en que las ilustraciones hablan solas.
Bonito tema, buen hilo narrativo, precioso el estilo.
Me sorprendió el final, positivamente.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked these illustrations. And the story was sweet- it's nice to see a father/child team.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a fable or a different sort of fable. The ending surprised me. I don't think that this would be for everyone.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little rabbit and his father live together near the edge of a dark and menacing forest where no one goes. His father has always wanted to know what is on the other side of the forest, so he sets a plan in motion. He takes their wheat harvest and begins to bake bread. When other rabbits in the community come around, he offers them bread in exchange for four large stones. Those stones, the two rabbits use to start building a huge tower to see above the tall trees. Their work continues for weeks and weeks until one day a terrible storm knocks down all of their hard work. The father rabbit falls asleep exhausted near his ruined tower, and that is when the community of rabbits appears and helps to rebuild the tower, higher than it was before. After lots more bread, more stones and plenty of hard work, the tower is complete. The little rabbit and his father are the first to climb to the top and see the surprise waiting for them.

Translated from the original French, Robert’s picture book reads like a folkloric story filled with classic elements such as bread, stones and sacrifice. She uses a storyteller’s voice throughout the book, drawing readers into the story. She excels at brevity in her text, using just enough to keep the story moving ahead and also explaining what is happening with enough details to bring it to life.

The art is exceptional, marvelously mixing modern and vintage elements into something very interesting and unique. The idyllic countryside setting is shown both in the closeup images as well as those showing extensive landscapes. The process of building the tower uses all sorts of levers and pulleys, showing the ingenuity at work and the hard labor involved.

A book full of suspense, fresh bread and community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to be real honest with you, and spoil the story while I'm at it!

I did not love this book! Yes, there are some concepts addressed that I think children should learn; such as community, kindness, hard work, being helpful, etc. I was, however, extremely dissatisfied with the ending.

This story is told from the perspective of a little boy bunny living with his father and their dog. Their home and village are surrounded by a thick, deep, impassible forest (I got some M. Night Shyamalan 'Village' vibes here!) that is filled with wolves and monsters. Curiosity, alas, gets the better of THE FATHER and he decides to build a tower that will allow him to see what is On the Other Side of the Forest. Before completing the tower, a destructive storm blows in, knocking down the tower. While the villagers come together to help rebuild the tower (I really like this part of the story!), the father works diligently at preparing food to sustain them. When the tower is complete...
SPOILER ALERT!
.
.
.
the boy and his father climb to the top of the tower, look out over the vast, dense forest only to find...
another tower where a deer is looking back at them.
THE END!

... Seriously!?! ... Cue bursting balloon!
Needless to say, if you like a warm, worth-while ending, I DO NOT recommend this book!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a curious children's book-- I read an article in School Library Journal about children's books from other countries that have been translated into English and worth a read and I discovered that a handful of them were on Hoopla so I've been enjoying one each morning and this one, featuring a father and son brown rabbit is quietly inquisitive with a bit of whimsy. They have a farm but have always been curious about what lies beyond the thick forest of trees (which is illustrated beautifully). So the father decides to bake bread- what does that have to do with anything? The son realizes that the bread will be exchanged with neighbors for rocks that they can build a tall tower to finally see over the forest.

They build, he bakes, they build, and then rebuild when a storm leaves it in shambles. Teamwork and community plus a dash of perseverance. And they finally ascend their tower and see what's on the other side. First what I love is a dad rabbit baking bread and second, I love the muted colors of the hard-working animals, it's a curious delight.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in an isolated, remote village in a heavily wooded area, the story follows a single father and son (who are heavily anthropomorphised hares) as they embark on a towering project to find out what lies beyond the boundaries of their community.

The village is surrounded by dense evergreen forest, and the story begins there as the camera pans over to the father's mill where his son and their dog play. It is the father's curiosity - of challenging those ancient fears of ogres and wolves that roam the boundaries of their safety - that is the fulcrum of the plot and his desire to build a tower that will help him see above the trees in order to find the truth.

At first, he sells his bread in trade for stones but when a great storm destroys his work, he finds that the rest of the anthropomorphic community come together to help him finish the job. The ending is a pleasant surprise that will leave the reader grinning.

Wonderful pen and ink illustrations have a mid-century retro feel that evokes mid-20th-century picture books.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH my goodness I love this book! Everything about it--the narrative is one of those that just immediately pulls you in. It's just the right amount of text, intrigue, and wonder. There are a LOT of pages to this book, with so many charming illustrations that feel both vintagey and modern at the same time. And by saying there are a lot of pages, I don't mean to say it's too long--it really is perfect.

We follow a father and son rabbit who wonder what is on the other side of the forest that they cannot go through. They come up with a plan to build and tower and peer out over it to see to the other side. In the process, they get help from neighbors and meet challenges together. It's a wonderful woodland fantasy with a memorable ending.

This lovely story is heartwarming, playful, and has all the right vibes of classic tales you just want to read again and again.

**Note: I was given a review copy of this book by Greystone Kids. Opinions are my own.

[JV Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the NYTimes best illustrated books 2021 and I certainly see why. I checked all of them out from the library as we don't have children right now, but I'm always interested in what is coming out in books for the under 6 set. I love the art, but I love the story even more. I like the relationship between father and child, between father and community and way it all comes together at the end against all odds. I'm in love with the idea of rabbit as a farmer who always bakes bread. I'm in love with a child who has an innate sense of helpfulness. It is just an overall delightful book down to the last page.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are rabbits, and they decide they want to see what’s on the other side of the dense forest that surrounds their house. There’s no mother rabbit (?), but the dad decides to bake bread and “sell” it to neighbors for stones (literally rocks and boulders) which the two rabbits use to build a tower. Due to a storm, their project almost comes to an abrupt end, but neighbors help and they eventually get to see what’s beyond the forest. The story is somewhat depressing—not sure it would generate a very positive conversation with young children.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sure to become a beloved story for many families. When a young rabbit and his father become curious about what's on the other side of the forest, they devise a plan to build a tower so they can see all the way across it. Through determination, hard work, and lots of help from their friends and community, they build a structure so tall that all their questions finally get answered.

With stunning artwork and a humble narrative, Nadine Robert and Gerard DuBois have created something totally special.

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love it when I find translated children's books - and this was so whimsical.


A rabbit father-son duo wants to see what is on the other side of the forest so they begin to bake and sell bread in exchange for stones from the villager rabbits. As they work together to build a large tower, they experience bad weather and are pleasantly surprised by their community as the villager rabbits begin to help them with building the tower. I found the ending quite sweet as there does show a sense of community that everyone wants to see what else is out there/connect with others - however, I can also see how a kid may find it disappointing. Like all that just to see another tower built by a moose??

LOL

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rabbit father and his son Arthur are determined to discover what's on the other side of the forest. The two have a plan. They begin to build a tower so grand along with help from the other woodland animals, baking and eating bread along the way. The illustrations are so glorious and remind me of the classic story, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, which is one of my all time favorite books.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautifully-illustrated import, perspective and muted tones carry the ominous theme of a father and son rabbit who wonder what IS on the other side. The color palette and rabbit outlines are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter and a well-read reader may look closely at the similarities between Peter and this unnamed young rabbit from his face to his trousers. There's a foreign cottage-y setting that further magnifies the fantasy element of this French import.

[Melanie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young rabbit has always wanted to know what's on the other side of the big, dark, scary forest. When he tell his father this a plan is formed. His father bakes many loaves of bread and sells them for stones. These stones are used to build a tower so that the other side of the forest can be observed. When the tower is finally built readers will laugh to see what's on the other side.

Highly recommended for storytime.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me a little bit of reading Sylvester and the Magic Pebble with my children oh so many years ago - both are full of magic and goodness. The tale is one of family, cooperation, determination, and wonder. The illustrations are luscious. I read it twice and still can't stop smiling.

[Ms.Gaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the story overall - the images, the dad's ingenuity, and the neighborhood cooperation...but why didn't they just climb to the top of the windmill? It even appears to have a ladder. One has to wonder if the illustrator wanted children to observe this with a sense of humor or curiosity.
Ages 3-7

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! The baking bread for the neighbors was so sweet. And the pure curiosity of what is over there. And then the ending! I admit I was expecting something a bit more grand, like a magical creature. But it definitely says something about our human nature. (Or, I guess, rabbit nature?)
(KIDS)

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur's Dad and Arthur decide to build a tower, a tall one; a tower tall enough to allow them to see over the trees to the other side of the forest.

Cleverly, Arthur's Dad secures the stones that will be needed for this project. And very-very cleverly, Nadine Robert creates an amazing surprise. And then another surprise at the end.

[Lucas Sibona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Los dibujos son un poco perturbadores, muy humanos para ser animales, pero la historia es intrigante y el final inesperado (a las ves chistoso y quizá poético).

El único tema es el pan. Tanto podía generar el padre? Podía cambiarlo por piedras sin miedo a que se le acabase el trigo y posiblemente a cambio de nada?

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Greystone Kids for the ARC.
This would make a great read aloud because of the discussion that could be had both while reading and after reading. A good follow up choice is The Wall in the Middle of the Book.