Joy Basdeo
Joy Basdeo, also known as "Mrs B" is an educator, formerEnglish teacher, an avid reader and storyteller, mother of fourgrown children and grandmother of Zoë. Her weekly columnis intended to assist parents and children select books whichentertain and build character. Children are never too young tohear stories, and reading aloud creates a bond between the readerand the listener. Parents are encouraged to talk with their childrenabout the story, let them say what they liked or didn't like aboutit, and how they would have told it differently. Let them drawtheir favourite character, or create a sequel of their own, engagingtheir imaginations, and strengthening their comprehension andvocabulary.
This week's tale comes from West Africa and is called "WhyMosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears". It all starts when Mosquitodecides to tell his friend Iguana, a "tall" tale, nota lie, exactly, but rather an exaggeration. So why did Mosquitoexaggerate? Sometimes people exaggerate as well, to make themselvesmore important than they are, to create excitementeven to makewhat they have to say more interesting. What Mosquito doesn'trealize is that his little story will have wide-spread consequences,as all the animals in the jungle are affected by what he thoughtto be harmless. Owl's family is very hurt and disrupted, and Owlfights back. King Lion and his council have to get involved andfind the culprit, so that things can get back to normal.
Children will enjoy the colourful illustrations by Leo and DianeDillon, as they race through this animal detective story of causeand effect. Without being preachy, this little story is apt fableof how words spoken carelessly can come back to haunt us, andthat words can hurt others, even if that is not our intention.Justice is done in the end, and children will see that Mosquitogets what he deserved.
Suitable for younger readers, and an excellent book for readingaloud, "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" an award-winningbook by Verna Aardema, published by Picture Puffins is availablethrough your favourite bookstore, and check the Public Libraryin your district or in Cayman Brac. Don't forget to visit theBook Loft, run by the Cayman Humane Society on North Sound Wayfor this and other books.
If you would like to sponsor this book and donate it to a governmentschool as part of our Character Education Project, please emailme at joy.basdeo@gov.ky, ask your bookseller to send it to meat the Ministry of Education, 4th Floor Government AdministrationBuilding, or drop it off at the Ministry.
All gift books will have an acknowledgement on the inside frontcover, and you might like to give it on behalf of yourself, yourcompany, your children or grandchildren, or just someone special.
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