Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

When Albert complains of a toothache, no one in his family believes him, until his grandmother takes the time to really listen to him.

"Wordy Birdy loves to talk, but will she ever learn to listen?"--

Rhyming text reveals the many sounds that can be heard if one listens closely.

Each time a girl visits a bear in a zoo, she listens to his tales of the vast and wondrous Land of the Bears, his home that he will never see again.

Stephanie Michelle, who cares for animals and listens to the sun, believes the homeless child, Fondo, when he tells her that the geese have invited him to fly away with them.

A lop-eared rabbit named Buddy finds himself in trouble with the Scruffy Varmint because he never listens.