How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears [Hardcover]

Heather Irbinskas (Author), Kenneth J. Spengler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Because he doesn't listen carefully to what the Great Spirit tells him about each of the animals he is supposed to lead to their desert homes, Jackrabbit causes much unhappiness with his careless answers to the animals' questions.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. When the Great Spirit creates the desert and the creatures who will live there, he designates the jackrabbit to guide the animals to their new homes and explain their special adaptations, which make them well suited to their environment. The flightly rabbit doesn't listen well, though, and when Tortoise asks why he's so slow, Jackrabbit hems and haws and finally makes up a disconcerting answer: "Because you're not as smart as I am." He also saddens Roadrunner and Bobcat with his fabricated answers to their questions, until the Great Spirit realizes what's happening and gives Jackrabbit a new adaptation of his own: big ears to help him listen better to what he's told. This original pourquoi story has the flavor of a folktale and reads aloud well. Full of energy and strong on characterization, the lively paintings will project the story back to the last row of the classroom or story hour. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc; 1st edition (May 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873585666
• ISBN-13: 978-0873585668
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,014,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional children's book that adults will like reading, June 2, 2000

By 

Dennis McGeary (Phoenix AZ.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears (Hardcover)

I read this book by chance at a book store once, and immediately fell in love with it. In fact, I now send this this book to all my friends with newborns, and it has always been warmly received and appreciated. If you live in the Southwest (like I do), or just love the desert, you'll be drawn in by the desert setting and characters in the book. I really appreciate the non-denominational "Great Spirit" usage. The story is simple without being too cutesy, the artwork is incredible, and the ending moral tells little ones to listen more to others (something all of us could stand to do more of). All in all, a children's book that adults will enjoy reading. I highly recommend this book for any day-care/pre-school/home schooling setting: the morals are easily and enjoyably picked up by little ones.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute darling book for young and old!, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears (Hardcover)

This book was great for children and adults. The illustrations were great, and the story held wisdom for all ages. I bought it with intentions to give it as a gift and now I can't bear to part with it. This one is destined to be another childrens classic!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars THE SPOTLIGHT'S ON TEXAS FOR TOTS AND TYKES, April 6, 2004

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears (Hardcover)

This is a slim beauty of a book with the friskiest rabbit and snappiest turtle youngsters have ever seen.

The characteristics of the animals remind young ones that we are all different and special in our own ways.

And, why was the jackrabbit given such long ears? You'll have to read the story to find out. But, remember: The better to hear you with m'dear.