JOJO'S TINY EAR

A young boy with one small ear and limited hearing enjoys fun activities in author/illustrator Munzi-Logus’ debut picture book.

Jojo plays with his toy car and real pets in the opening pages of this book, which features full-color images crafted in what appear to be pencils and watercolors. An encouraging narrator shares that Jojo “can do anything, just like you,” and the book shows him enjoying the zoo and a fireworks display. The narration reveals that when Jojo was born, one of his ears was so tiny that no sound could enter it (creatively illustrated by sound waves blocked by a padlock). Jojo wears a colorful headband with a hearing aid attached; two bullies push him to the ground and ask why he’s wearing it, and Jojo confidently explains why. Munzi-Logus, whose son Joseph also has microtia, effectively employs a rainbow of colors to depict the sign language that Jojo uses, showing the letters in the words educate and individuality, which clearly highlight major themes. The work shows kids with varying skin tones and abilities, bolstering the message that “the world is more beautiful when we are all unique.” However, the story lacks a consistent rhyme scheme, haphazardly switching between abcb, aba, and abab patterns, resulting in an overall lack of flow.

An enjoyable story of difference and acceptance hampered by uneven execution.