About This Book
This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book retells a traditional West African folktale, explaining why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears through a clever cumulative story. When a mosquito tells a tall tale to an iguana, it sets off a hilarious and ultimately tragic chain of misunderstandings among the jungle animals, culminating in the death of an owlet. The animals then hold court to discover who is responsible, teaching young readers about cause and effect, honesty, and accountability. The vibrant illustrations and engaging, onomatopoeic text make it a perfect read-aloud for ages 3-7, sparking conversations about truth, consequences, and community.
A retelling of a traditional West African tale that reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit.
Character Death
peril_danger
Discussion Prompts
1
What was the first thing the mosquito did that caused trouble? How did one small action lead to many big ones?
2
Why do you think the mosquito lied to the iguana?
3
How did the animals work together to figure out what happened?
4
What does this story teach us about telling the truth and taking responsibility for our actions?
5
If you were one of the animals, what would you have done differently?
External Reviews
Google Books
5/5 (3 ratings)
Awards
1 award
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.