Dog Eared

by Amanda Harvey

Book Overview

Out of my way, Big Ears Otis is happily strolling in the park one day when a bully dog taunts him with this insult. Poor Otis is crushed. Defeated Suddenly his ears seem much too large. And he doesn't... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385729111
• ISBN13: 9780385729116
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.4" x 10.1"
• Age Range: 3 to 6 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 1

Customer Reviews

Hound Dog Ears

A lovable hound mix with long ears was shoved aside by a bigger dog who taunts him and calls him Big Ears. Once tagged with the cruel nickname, Otis, the beautiful little hound mix loses his self esteem. He turns against his ears, finding them outsized and ludicrous looking. Depressed over the mean dog's name calling, Otis becomes dispirited and no longer feels like playing with his friend Max or engaging in routine and pleasurable activites. He goes to incredible lengths to minimize the appearance of his ears, some of which are touching. Luckily, the little hound has a loving owner who tells her hound she loves him unconditionally, ears and all. She tells him how beautiful and wonderful his ears are and helps restore his pride. A good book for children of all ages with an obvious, yet well delivered message. The appealing characters and illustrations will no doubt delight many and don't be surprised if some of the pages become "dog eared" from repeated readings. This is a good companion book to Gloria Estefan's book about Noelle, her lovable bulldog.

Sweet and Engaging.....

"I was walking home the other day when a large dog pushed into me and growled, "Out of my way, Big Ears!" Big Ears? I thought. Surely not. But doubt crept into my mind..." Poor Otis, the insult has really shaken his confidence. Now he can't stop looking at himself in shop windows. Are his ears really that big? That bully's name calling has changed everything. Otis doesn't want to play with his buddy, Max, or chase cats. He's lost his appetite, and no matter how many new "ear-dos" he tries out to minimize their size, nothing works. But fortunately, his owner understands the problem. "She snuggled next to me and wrapped one of my ears around her face. "I love your large, silky, fabulous ears, Otis," she whispered, and kissed the one that was keeping her warm..." Amanda Harvey's sensitive and heartwarming story has a simple message that won't be lost on even the youngest reader. Her entertaining text is engaging. But it's the playful and evocative illustrations, filled with gentle humor, marvelous facial expressions, and eye-catching detail that really make this picture book stand out and sparkle, and little ones will revel in the delightful twist at the end as Otis' confidence blooms. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, Dog Eared is an unlifting story that celebrates our differences, and shouldn't be missed.

Love the underdog!

I learned to love Otis in just twenty pages. This book is a good easy reader with a story worth reading. ... ... but not this one) After a dog growls to him: "Out of my way, Big Ears." Otis becomes self-conscious. The pictures are full of emotion -- downtrodden Otis hangs his head and doesn't feel like doing his favorite things anymore...but there's a happy ending. Because Lucy (his person) tells him she loves his large, silky, fabulous ears -- Otis understands he is great the way he is. My two-year-old nephew loves the pictures and story -- and so does his thirty-two-year-old aunt. A good story about being proud of who you are. (technically geared to 1st-3rd grades)

The story is simple yet appealing and warm

Otis the dog is happily minding his own business in the park when a bully dog taunts him and makes him doubt his appeal to others. His ears suddenly seem too big: can he change his nature? The story is simple yet appealing and warm.