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Verna Aardema
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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale Paperback – Picture Book, August 15, 2004

by Verna Aardema (Author), Leo Dillon (Illustrator), Diane Dillon (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 853 ratings
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  1. Caldecott MedalWinner, 1976
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"In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece."
-Booklist, starred review.

Winner of Caldecott Medal in 1976 and the Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award in 1977.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    770L
  6. Dimensions
    8.44 x 0.11 x 10.44 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin/Dial
  8. Publication date
    August 15, 2004
  9. ISBN-10
    9780140549058
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0140549058
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece."
-Booklist, starred review.

About the Author

Verna Aardema published her first set of stories, Tales from the Story Hat, in 1960. They were so successful that  she continued to adapt traditional tales and folklore from distant cultures, (usually from Africa and Mexico) to expose young children to the vast variety of human expression. She's the author of over 30 children's books. Her book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (1975) received the Caldecott Medal in 1976 and the Brooklyn Art Books for Children Award in 1977. Who's in Rabbit's House? 1977 was the 1977 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and a Lewis Carroll Shelf Award winner in 1978. Aardema received the Children's Reading Round Table Award in 1981, and several of her works have been selected as Notable Books by the American Library Association. Her Oh Kojo! How Could You! won the 1984 Parents' Choice Award for Literature.

Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon, a husband-and-wife team, created more than 100 book and magazine covers together as well as interior artwork. The Dillons won the Caldecott Medal in 1976 and 1977 In 1978 they were the runners-up for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award for children's illustrators, and were the U.S. nominee again in 1996.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140549056
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin/Dial (August 15, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140549058
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140549058
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 770L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.44 x 0.11 x 10.44 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 853 ratings

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Verna Aardema

Verna Aardema

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
853 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tonia Hertzler
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024
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Good book
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Winston Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars "...And then,..."
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2011
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This is a suspenseful tale that starts off very innocently and then gains energy and purpose. I have used it as a teaching tool for 'Cause and Effect' among other literary styles. It never fails to hold students' attention. The inclusion of the African genre characteristic of enriching the story by repeating the imitative sounds of animals and their movements vocally gives life to the performance of this tale. You must understand that writing and illustrating were not part of the African folk tradition so the story teller had to give life to all that was included...even to inanimate objects. The sooner you can perform the story without the text the more you will enjoy your participation in the tale. I was well acquainted with the nuances of the story beforehand. This purchase was for my daughter to continue the folklore traditions with her two year old twins. They love it.
6 people found this helpful
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T2EZ Kandraw
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s even better than I remember!
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
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Every page is awesome and full of color! It reminds me of the days that my Mother used to read the exact same story to me, and now I’m reading it to my little ones! I love this book! It means so much to me to have this be a traditional part of my family! Reading this classic tale to my kids and my kids’ kids, and hopefully one day to their kids’ as well. Smiles all around from this book! It’s awesome!
3 people found this helpful
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bethany
5.0 out of 5 stars My sons favorite book on his summer reading list
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
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My son was assigned this book as his swimmer reading between kindergarten and 1st grade and it was his favorite assigned book to read. It is long but it’s a fun story.
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vonglider
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful fable for preschoolers
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2019
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This is a classic fable which is easy for preschoolers to relate to and understand. Teaches a value lesson while entertaining and exposing them to a variety of creatures . Wonderful art work as well.
2 people found this helpful
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Eternaleppert
5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
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A childhood favorite, I had to order this to share with my own children. There are great lessons to be learned in this book. ❤️
2 people found this helpful
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anon ymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is my favorite children's book of all time. The illustrations are the best I've ever seen, and while dark, they are very creative and fascinating. The story itself is also very good, and I love that it has a point at the end, with a "moral of the story", without being a very long book. I think all children should read it, if parents could get past the dark tone of the illustrations.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good!
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
The book is an overall good book with a lesson to learn. My book came in great condition! Love and will be using in the future for my classroom. A great book to use to teach sequencing and/ or causes and effect.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Deanna Cazes
5.0 out of 5 stars FAST service
Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2022
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This is a sweet story for young children. I could not believe how quickly it was delivered! Ordered in the eary evening and it arrived the next afternoon!
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Sam
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
One of my all time favourite african stories ever highly reccommend
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LIANA
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in France on April 17, 2012
Verified Purchase
Une histoire superbe, de la mythologie africaine et de la bonne humeur.
J'ai adoré ce tout petit livre et les illustrations sont aussi plus que très réussies.
Je le recommande pour passer un bon moment avec son enfant.
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Elle
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beloved Classic
Reviewed in Canada on December 8, 2018
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A wonderful tale for all readers
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R.B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
The story is a fun African folk tale and the pictures are really unique. We love this book.
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