Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

I really like the art on this one (it's a Caldecott winner for a reason). I'm not the biggest fan of the folktale itself, since it's pretty grim for me - but folklore IS folklore. I'll never ask anyone to alter their culture and myths on my behalf. It DOES succeed at showing why mosquitoes do what they do and how annoying they're continually perceived to be - globally.

The grim aspects would just prevent me from having this be a favorite story or one I MUST have in my collection.

In my opinion this is an excellent Children’s book. There are many reasons why I believed it was a book worth reading. First, I liked the idea of having animals as the main characters. This turned a moral that was serious, into an engaging story that children would be interested in. Instead of having a person would lie in someone’s ear, they had a mosquito that lied and affected the entire animal community. The illustrations also made the story more compelling and true to its culture. The pictures had many colors, patterns, and shapes that resembled that of a West African culture. For example, when the animals come together for the council, the entire page was filled with an array of colors and geometric shapes that each represented show more a different creature. These made the animals seem animated. Another way the book made the characters animated was incorporating onomatopoeia throughout. For instance, instead of the snake just slithering, he went “wasuwusu, wasawusu”. Lastly, this book pushes readers to think about tough issues and broaden perspectives, which led to the main idea of the story. The main idea is that people should not lie because it can affect many other people besides yourself. Not only did the lying mosquito affect the iguana, but also every other creature in his or her community. show less

I loved this beautifully-illustrated folktale as a child, and have fond memories of poring over the Dillons' colorful mosaic-like artwork. The story of a chain reaction, in which a mosquito's careless words create a growing crisis, spreading fear and chaos throughout the forest, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears is exactly the kind of progression-tale that makes for an entertaining story-hour.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1975, this wonderful picture book is a classic of children's literature, treasured both for its story and illustrations. The Dillons' work is always beautiful, and Aardema is justly celebrated for her respectful folkloric adaptations. Recommended to all young folklore lovers, and to anyone who appreciates the show more harmonious meeting of word and image. show less

When I started reading this book, I just wasn't feeling it at first. I was not sure of the direction that the book was taking. However, when I got to the end, I felt like this was such a clever Pourquoi tale to why mosquitos buzz in people's ear. This book is truly a unique and new experience for me, and the illustrations really bring this book home. Everything is so colorful and bright, despite the book being somwhat tragic.

Bright and colorful animal illustrations and the use of onomatopoeia add great interest in this retelling of a traditional african tale. In this pourquoi tale it is mosquito’s exaggeration that starts the chain of events that will lead to the death of an owlet, leaving the grief stricken mother owl unable to wake the Sun. The events will be tracked in reverse by King Lion and the animal council. They realize it is the mosquito who started it all, but he hides. Mother owl wakes the Sun. To this day, the mosquito’s guilty conscience has him whining (buzzing) in people’s ears to see if they are still angry with him.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is an African folktale based on the realistic consequences of telling a lie and the harmful effects it may have to others. Author, Verna Aardema, retells this tale in a playful tone, jerking the audience between dramatic and humorous aspects. The unique illustrations add spunk to the storyline; specfically due to the white outlines of the abstract animal illustrations. I adored the author’s efforts to recreate an entertaining story from a life lesson almost every individual will encounter. To reader’s warning, a child does pass away; making this not a choice of text for a sensitive audience. However, overall this is a great read for younger children, in presenting a serious lesson with a show more cheerful tone. show less

Patterned language evokes the original, oral form of this West African tale of the annoying mosquito, who caused a chain reaction resulting in darkness, as Owl refused to call to the sun. The animals sit in judgment as the story is revealed, and the mosquito is, rightly, blamed for starting it all. So even today, when one whines in our ear....smack!