critique by M.L. 'Max' Roth

                The school bully, Tom, picks on the boy with the big ear mercilessly. However, one afternoon Tom is in peril and it is the boy with the big ear who hears Tom's cries and rescues him. Tom perceives the boy with the big ear in a new light, and for the first time Tom asks, " What is your name?"

                The concept of a common emergency  bringing together strangers is not new, although, in this story the author writes with freshness and a simple child-like openness that makes accessible to adults and children alike the deeper theme concerning those emotions that simultaneously bind humanity, yet set us in opposition to one another.

                The concept and its attending theme succeed completely.  The reason for the success lies in the story's ability to demonstrate, without preaching, its subtext, which stirs the adult reader's memory, and causes the juvenile to question their own feelings as both victim and bully, and demonstrates the broad strokes that unite humanity creating successful relationships. 

     The plot is a simple three-act structure, which moves us seamlessly and with continued forward motion through the story to its conclusion.

     In the first act, we open with the conflict, a physical malady making the boy with one big ear a natural victim.

     In the second act, we explore how the boy deals, or fails to deal with his challenge.  In truth, it is revealed that he is a sweet child, not a fighter; he would rather make a friend.

The third act resolution succeeds when the higher nature in us all is demonstrated by his ability to change his perception of this strange boy and to pay attention to his own higher nature - his conscience.

What made the story quite beautiful for this adult reader is that the two boys actually heal each other's pain through opening up to their emotions, which leads them on a short journey into their higher selves.  The reader found this story to be an important reminder for adults in today's world, as well as a first lesson for children.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

AStoryWeaver's Book Reviews hightly recommends The Boy with the Big Ear. 
Told as a modern poetic fable, The Boy with the Big Ear is full of excitement and energy.  This ebook would make a wonderful teaching tool for parents, day care providers, and teachers for helping children learn to deal with differences, conflct and resolve matters, self-esteem issues, dealing with a bully, and much more.

This book of bravery, after learning about self-awareness, is the perfect ego booster for children.  Immediatley, they'll feel for the boy with the by ear and they'll cheer him on as they witness his act of bravery and foregiveness.  My children, ages 10, 5, and 4 loved this story.  The ending brought a smile to my face.  Afterwards, it had my children thinking, as it brought up several questions that I enjoyed answering.
Reviewed by Jennifer LB - Weaver's Book Reviews


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Highly Recommended Ravelings book review by Cindy Penn - Word Weaving 
Rhyme brings the story about The Boy with the Big Ear to life.  The author demonstrates a flair for word play as she captures the challenges and rewards of a boy whose ear has been "grotesquely shaped since birth."  His special ear allows the boy to hear things one one else can.

When children tease the boy about his deformity, the boy with the big ear cried.  Then a new firend comes along.  They ride bikes together until the boy hears a crash.   Suddenly his ear becomes something needed and important.  As a result, The boy becomes a simple but powerful lesson about not fearing people who are different, and appreciating those differences.  This wonderful story will encourage children to express their feelings about feeling different, or viewing others who are different.  In a safe way, children will learn a gentle lesson in tolerance and open communication.  This delightful read aloud story is highly recommended.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Reviewed by Magdalena Ball -Preschool Entertainment

The real power of this story is not in its prose, or even the slightly submerged and attractive poetic quality of the writing: "The sun crashed through his window and made a rainbow on the chair." What makes The Boy with the Big Ear a story worth reading to your children is its message - one which involves looking beyond people's appearances and into their natures - a message which children need to hear.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Reviewed by J. Alan Hartman - Know Better

I don't think it will come as any surprise when I say that kids can be cruel.  Although we do our best to raise our kids to
respect each other, share their toys and generally be good human beings, these are tough lessons to learn.  If you look differently from other kids, this can be especially difficult.

Fortunately, the author has relased a very short eBook for children that will hopefully help educate your little ones on the concept of equal treatment for everyone.  The work, entitled The Boy with the Big Ear, is a well-crafted look at dealing with such a sensitive issue.

It is informative without being heavy handed, educational without being simplistic, The Boy with the Big Ear is an exceptional work to read with your child.  This story should serve as a great way for you to establish a dialogue with your children on the fair and equal treatment of others.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Reviewed by Eva Almeida - eBook Reviews Weekly

The lovingly written poetic prose demonstrates how much it hurts to experience teasing and what a joy it is to have a fellow classmate look beyond our faults - to our inner self.  The Boy with the Big Ear enables children to accept the differences in others and teaches children about the importance of self-esteem and kindness.