Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
WouterOriginally published in 1975, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is a children’s picture book by Verna Aardema. It was illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon and features intricate artwork. It won the Caldecott Award in 1976.
The story focuses on a mosquito and an iguana. The mosquito is responsible for the death of an owlet. The iguana, however, is not blamed for the death. He believes that the mosquito is trying to harm him. Luckily, the iguana does not listen to the mosquito, as he puts sticks in his ears.
After the iguana places sticks in his ears, the mosquito tells the iguana a lie. The iguana refuses to listen to the mosquito, but he is not able to hear the python.
The python, on the other hand, is very scared of the iguana. He believes that the iguana is plotting against him. But the iguana does not think this is the case.
The monkey and the owlet are also affected by the pesky mosquito. The monkey accidentally lands on a branch that is falling onto a mother owl’s nest. The branch breaks under its weight, killing one of the owlet’s offspring. The owlet’s mother goes into mourning.
Aardema uses a series of juicy words to introduce the animals of Africa. The text is read aloud by James Earl Jones in the 1984 animated short film. The illustrations are done in watercolors, pastels, and India ink. They appear to be appropriate for the culture of East Africa.
