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ZZZNG! ZZZNG! ZZZNG!
a Yoruba tale
illustrated
by Theresa Smith
Orchard,
1998
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*Anne
Izard
Storyteller's Choice Award, 2000
*Starred
review, Kirkus
*Featured title, Bookbag
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| From
the
book jacket: |
Who will marry Mosquito? She sings a lovely song. Surely Ear will be
charmed? And if not Ear, then certainly handsome Arm or graceful Leg?
But in spite of all her efforts, each
potential mate rebuffs her, turning her beautiful song into an angry
buzz. They may not take her seriously, but Mosquito soon discovers that
there are other ways of catching their attention....
Splendid for reading aloud, this classic
African tale about why Mosquito added some bite to her buzz is
illustrated with strikingly lush and colorful art.
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| A little
about the book: |
Editor Richard Jackson held this story, an expanded version of a
classic African mosquito tale, for a long time, until he finally said:
I still like it, but mosquito’s song is bothering me. “Those verses are
not mosquito-like. They’re heavy.... No, what they would rather be is
fleet, sharp, short-lined, with a little bite to them. Of course
they’re wheedles, but a mosquito must wheedle in a particular way.” My
husband, champion mosquito catcher and frequent collaborator, came up
with the perfect song. Dick was happy with it--and the book won a
prize! With a silver sticker!
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| From the reviews: |
“How did small, weak Mosquito get to be such a big nuisance? This
rhythmic retelling of an African folktale will have young readers all
abuzz as they learn the answer! The story reveals that Mosquito was
once only a harmless irritation who made joyful, singsong pleas for
marriage. But after being rudely shooed away by Ear, Arm, and Leg,
Mosquito angrily sets out to prove that there is a lot more to her than
meets the eye and ear! Bold crayon and pastel illustrations complement
this entertaining read-aloud that delivers a valuable message about
respect.” Bookbag, featured title,
February/March 2001, with lots of classroom activities
“Children will laugh at the sillness of Mosquito wanting to marry Ear,
then Arm, then Leg, share her frustration at being rejected, and enjoy
her biting, stinging, buzzing revenge as the bright illustrations
transport them into the world of traditional fantasy....This is good
read-aloud fun....” Booklist
“Smith illustrates this alternative to Verna Aardema’s classic Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
(1975) with close-ups of striped Mosquito, bristling with pointed
extremities, against backgrounds of saturated blues and greens. A
simple, clever story that will not only be new to young readers, but in
this lively recasting lends itself equally well to reading alone or out
loud.” Kirkus, starred review
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