Instead of fighting back, Jojo responds with incredible compassion and awareness: “Jojo realized they might never have seen a tiny ear. Maybe he needed to teach them about his headband and how it made sound clear.” This book’s strongest message come from its joyful celebration of the characteristics that make individuals special. Instead of treating Jojo’s disability as something he must overcome, his tiny ear is simply a part of who he is. “We all have differences. It's not bad,” Munzi-Logus writes. “Some kids need glasses or tools to help them speak. Without our individuality, the world would be sad.”
Throughout the story, vibrant, soft-edged illustrations show Jojo playing and traveling with his mom, as well as using sign language to communicate and his hearing aid to make sense of sounds that he otherwise could not hear. These pictures will help kids visualize and understand how Jojo’s special headband helps him. Inspired by Munzi-Logus’ real-life son, who was born with microtia, this tale serves as a powerful ode to the beauty of our differences and offers a memorable, uplifting lesson for kids about the importance of acceptance and kindness.
Takeaway: This inviting picture book offers a memorable lesson about the beauty of our differences.
Great for fans of: Emma Bilyk’s Rebekah's Superpower, Maggie Klein’s Maxi's Super Ears.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A-
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-
Thank you for bringing awareness and understanding to facial differences and hearing loss. This beautifully illustrated children’s book can help facilitate dialogue towards empathy and compassion.
Ms. Munzi-Logus has written and illustrated a heartfelt book which celebrates a young boy born with a small ear. Learning about this condition through the eyes of this joyful and accepting child’s feelings could be illuminating for anyone not familiar with this condition.
This beautifully illustrated book shares a powerful message about how kids who have differences are typical kids. They want to be included and treated like any other kid.
In celeberation of Microtia Awareness Day, a percent of the profits of all sales of Jojo's Tiny Ear from 9 Nov to 31st will be donated to Earicles, a non-profit that supports children with microtia and their families! Doesn't matter where you buy it!!
