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The Ear
by Piret Raud
Age Range: 6-8
Estonian author and illustrator Piret Raud’s weird and surreal story was inspired by the artist Vincent Van Gogh and the cutting off of his ear. First published in English in 2018, The Ear has been reissued in a new edition by Thames and Hudson.
After waking up one morning the Ear discovers she is headless. The head to which the Ear had been attached has up and left. The Ear is all alone and doesn’t know what to do with herself because it had always been the head that was the brains and knew what to do. But luckily help is at hand in the form of a depressed frog who is anxious to sing, a sad elephant who misses its homeland, a hare who needs to confess to a misdemeanour and many other creatures the Ear encounters. As she makes new friends, by helping them the Ear discovers a fresh perspective on life, and finds her own identity and what she can offer – although not before some danger is averted!
The simplicity of the artwork in muted colours made up of lots of intricate lines, dots and shapes lends character to the animals and there are references to Van Gogh on the opening page with a drawing of his famous chair and a vase of sunflowers knocked over.
The Ear is a wonderful allegorical story about the importance of lending a sympathetic ear and listening to others.
Raud is also the author and illustrator of Ellie’s Voice or TRooommmpffff (Restless Books, USA, 2020) is also reviewed on the OIW website.