Butterfly Ears

Mara’s got big ears!
Mum, do you think my ears are big?
No, sweetheart. You’ve got butterfly ears.
What are butterfly ears?
They are ears that flutter around over your head
and paint all the ugly things in beautiful colours.

To have big ears, to be tall or small, a thin or fat person… even the most insignificant characteristic can be reason for laughing between children. Because of this, it’s necessary a book like this, as it shows that those behaviours are reprehensible. This is a very tender and simple story by Luisa Aguilar, full of literary strength. The maternal figure seems to be a very important support for the main character: she advises her to accept herself and turn her differences into values. What others can see as a fault, it can be an advantaje, something that makes us different and unique in front of the rest of the people.

Key points

2015 – IBBY Mexico, selected for the Children and Young Adults Book Guide
2008 – Finalist in the IV Cittá Di Bella National Award
Included in the National Reading Plan for Portugal, Italy and Argentina

• Addresses essential topics to stimulate children’s emotional intelligence: self-esteem, acceptance and knowledge of emotions, as well as empathy, confidence and tolerance.
• It teaches how to deal with bullying with wit and intelligence.
• It is a simple album, easy to read and full of colours that will undoubtedly attract the little ones.

Luisa Aguilar

2007 – European Children’s Performing Arts Fair (FETEN), Best Actress and Show Award
2006 – Performing Arts Award, Best Author
1999 – European Nuove Mani Award for Young Creators

André Neves

2023, 2021 – AEILIJ Award, Children Literature Text/Illustration Set
2020 – IBBY Honour List, Illustration
2020 – IBBY Brazil (FNLIJ) Award, Best Illustration, hors-concours
2017 – Finalist in Cuatrogatos Foundation Award