Flop Ear

He's an endearing little rabbit with one ear that simply refuses to stand up straight--the way every other rabbit's ears always stand up. That's why everybody calls him Flop Ear. Kids who read this story and smile over the pictures will think he's cute. But Flop Ear doesn't think so. Flop Ear is sad because he isn't the same as all the other rabbits. "Lop-ear Flop Ear!" they laugh at him. This charming story describes Flop Ear's humorous attempts to make his ear stand up straight. He wants to be like everyone else. But at last he realizes that sometimes, it's just as good to be different. Full-color illustrations on every page of this charming book. (Ages 3-6)

PreS-Gr 2-This bunny is worried because one of his ears flops down. He endures the teasing of the other rabbits and tries all sorts of remedies, none of which work. He splints his ear to a carrot, then to a stick; wraps it up stiffly with a bandage, and even tries tying a helium balloon to his wayward ear. All these attempts bring failure to Flop-Ear and hilarity to the animals watching him. However, after the doctor tells him that he is normal, just different, he is able to accept his appearance. He even goes so far as to attach a carrot to his floppy ear to weigh it down further and the other rabbits do the same. Although the main character is adorably portrayed with thick black outlines and an open smiling face, this superficial, easily resolved story doesn't hold up. Franz Brandenberg's Otto Is Different (1985; o.p.), Kevin Henkes's Chrysanthemum (1991, both Greenwillow), Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Jennifer Jean, the Cross-Eyed Queen (Carolrhoda, 1993; o.p.), and David McKee's Elmer (Lothrop, 1989) are better-told tales about differences or disadvantages overcome.

Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY

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