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The Ear
When Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh cuts off his ear, the ear is suddenly left alone and headless. What will become of her? Where should she go? What should she do? Aware of how small and insignificant she is in the big, wide world, the ear experiences something of an identity crisis. She simply doesn’t know who she is anymore. But thanks to a downcast frog with a heavy heart who simply needs to be listened to, she realizes what she can offer to the world: a sympathetic ear.
News of the ear’s unique ability to listen spreads, and soon animals travel from far and wide just to visit her. But the ear’s newfound happiness is threatened when she is caught up in a spider’s web of gossip and lies. The ear’s new friends, grateful for everything she has done for them, come to her rescue. And from that day on, the ear never feels headless again.
Piret Raud’s hand-drawn artwork is breathtaking for its exquisite detail. Vibrant colors and bold compositions complement this beguiling story about identity, kindness, and friendship.
Piret Raud is an award-winning author and illustrator based in Tallinn, Estonia. She has illustrated over forty books and written sixteen books for children, which have been translated into over twelve languages. Raud is the winner of multiple awards for her work in children’s literature.
News of the ear’s unique ability to listen spreads, and soon animals travel from far and wide just to visit her. But the ear’s newfound happiness is threatened when she is caught up in a spider’s web of gossip and lies. The ear’s new friends, grateful for everything she has done for them, come to her rescue. And from that day on, the ear never feels headless again.
Piret Raud’s hand-drawn artwork is breathtaking for its exquisite detail. Vibrant colors and bold compositions complement this beguiling story about identity, kindness, and friendship.
Piret Raud is an award-winning author and illustrator based in Tallinn, Estonia. She has illustrated over forty books and written sixteen books for children, which have been translated into over twelve languages. Raud is the winner of multiple awards for her work in children’s literature.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 19, 2020
75 people want to read
About the author
Piret Raud
82 books43 followersPIRET RAUD was born in 1971 in Tallinn, Estonia. She has studied printmaking at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Since graduating in 1995 she has been living and working in Tallinn as a graphic artist, book illustrator and author. She has illustrated over 50 books, written 21 books for children and 3 novels and 2 short story collection for adults. Her books have been translated into French, English, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Slovenian, Croatian, Albanian, Hungarian, Korean, Chinese and Occitan (Gascon, Languedocien and Limousin dialects).
Piret Raud has received the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Award on multiple occasions, most recently for her prose in 2023.
Piret Raud has received the Estonian Cultural Endowment’s Award on multiple occasions, most recently for her prose in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 11, 2019
Cut from her head, an Ear finds herself alone in the world and without purpose. At the point of despair, she is approached by a frog who wants someone to listen to his song, even though he isn't a great singer. The kindhearted Ear agrees, and soon she is known far and wide as a sympathetic listener, one whose willingness to hear everyone out provides comfort and relief. But when an evil spider comes along and begins saying spiteful things, the Ear finds herself slowly bound by his malice. Is it the end, or will the many creatures she has helped come to her aid...?
Originally published in Estonia as Kõrv, this delightfully idiosyncratic picture-book is only the second children's book I have read from that country. Ironically, the first, The Adventures of Sipsik , which is considered a 20th-century classic, was created by Eno Raud, the father of Piret Raud. Interestingly, Piret Raud's mother, Aino Pervik, is also a children's book author. When I saw this one come into work, I noticed only the last name, and thought at first that it was another of Eno Raud's books being translated. Although that turned out not to be the case, I enjoyed this one immensely. The story is a bit odd - apparently the ear is meant to be Vincent van Gogh's missing appendage, although that is not specified in the text - but it is also engaging. The artwork, in the meantime, is charming, with appealingly stylized figures and a lovely color palette. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed somewhat surreal stories, or who is looking for picture-books about finding oneself and one's sense of purpose.
Originally published in Estonia as Kõrv, this delightfully idiosyncratic picture-book is only the second children's book I have read from that country. Ironically, the first, The Adventures of Sipsik , which is considered a 20th-century classic, was created by Eno Raud, the father of Piret Raud. Interestingly, Piret Raud's mother, Aino Pervik, is also a children's book author. When I saw this one come into work, I noticed only the last name, and thought at first that it was another of Eno Raud's books being translated. Although that turned out not to be the case, I enjoyed this one immensely. The story is a bit odd - apparently the ear is meant to be Vincent van Gogh's missing appendage, although that is not specified in the text - but it is also engaging. The artwork, in the meantime, is charming, with appealingly stylized figures and a lovely color palette. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed somewhat surreal stories, or who is looking for picture-books about finding oneself and one's sense of purpose.
April 16, 2019
Viimasel ajal olen lugenud raamatuid kõige rohkem just selle mõttega, et kuidas ma oleksin lapsena loetavale raamatule vaadanud.
Jah, see oleks mulle lapsena väga meeldinud. Ilmselt oleksin lugenud seda mitu korda järjest, uuesti ja uuesti ning nuputanud, et kuidas küll saaks nii teha, et ma oskaksin ka just nii joonistada, et pilt ja tekst on käsikäes.
Jah, see oleks mulle lapsena väga meeldinud. Ilmselt oleksin lugenud seda mitu korda järjest, uuesti ja uuesti ning nuputanud, et kuidas küll saaks nii teha, et ma oskaksin ka just nii joonistada, et pilt ja tekst on käsikäes.
June 5, 2024
lugesin töö ajal kingipoes ära, väga huvitav
December 20, 2022
Lugu kõrvast, kes möistis, et ta ülesanne on kuulata
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2019
lihtsalt tore oli leida Tate Moderni raamatupoest Piret Raua raamat. ja mul on hea meel, et kõrv sai ilma peata edasi elatud.
June 8, 2025
keegi võiks nyyd dali vuntsidest ka kirjutada
January 20, 2020
Kõrv jääb peast ilma ja on esialgu väga õnnetu, kuid ta leiab peagi häid sõpru, kuna on hea kuulaja.
Südamlik raamat väikelastele, mis toob välja sõpruse olulisuse ja näitab, kuidas leida sõpru.
Südamlik raamat väikelastele, mis toob välja sõpruse olulisuse ja näitab, kuidas leida sõpru.
August 28, 2023
Prosta opowiastka, a serce rośnie.
Co za grafika!
Fajne Ucho mógł mieć van Gogh.
Co za grafika!
Fajne Ucho mógł mieć van Gogh.
February 25, 2019
THE EAR, much like the Van Gogh that inspired it, is an acquired taste. This book reads much like a folktale. The tone and illustrations are gentle, but there is deeper meaning underneath for those who look and listen closely. It follows Ear who finds herself headless and alone. What is an ear without a head? It turns out an ear has quite a unique gift to offer. Certainly weird, but definitely wonderful, this book offers a tale of friendship and a celebration of uniqueness.
June 13, 2019
Inspired by van Gogh's missing ear, this beautiful picture book tells how his ear goes looking for a new purpose and finds it by 'lending an ear' to the animal friends it encounters.
A wonderful story with original illustrations.
A wonderful story with original illustrations.
January 25, 2022
U autorskim slikovnicama visoke kvalitete, ravnopravnost ilustracije i teksta dolazi još i više do izražaja – one se ne natječu, već se u potpunosti nadopunjuju i obogaćuju. Naravno, poanta svake slikovnice jest da ilustracije prate tekst i nadopunjavaju ga i postoji nebrojeno mnogo primjera savršene suradnje autora i ilustratora. Ipak, čak je i svjetski poznata Julia Donaldson u intervju za jedan britanski talk-show rekla da je sama svoju vješticu iz slikovnice „Mjesta ima na metli svima“ zamislila drugačije. Kako bi vještica i ostali likovi izgledali da ih je sama Julia naslikala, te bi li oni bolje nadopunjavali tekst slikovnica, možemo samo nagađati. Iako, budući da se radi o ilustracijama Axela Schefflera, u ovom slučaju teško je povjerovati u takvo što.
Vratimo se ipak na temu autorskih slikovnica. Postoji nešto posebno kod ovakvih slikovnica i meni se čini da to proizlazi iz ideje koja je nastala u jednoj glavi od trenutka kada se pojavi, do trenutka zadnjeg slova ili ilustracije, jedinstvena. S jedne strane, to možda znači da će slikovnice s dva autora, tj. s jednim autorom i jednim ilustratorom, biti bogatije jer u njima će se nalaziti dvije priče, ili barem dva doživljaja jedne priče. To, naravno ima svoje prednosti – nezapisani detalji sigurno će se razlikovati kod svakog čitatelja, tako i kod autora i ilustratora. S druge strane, u praksi se čini da je balans ilustracije i teksta u autorskim slikovnicama savršen. To što i tekst i ilustracije prikazuju jednu priču, tj. jednu verziju priče, možda ipak znači da će ta priča biti ispričana na nekoj dubljoj razini i možda uz više detalja.
Uho, estonske autorice i ilustratorice Piret Raud, odličan je primjer autorske slikovnice.
U priči se radi o jednom običnom uhu u neobičnoj situaciji. Uho je ostalo samo, odvojeno od glave, zbog čega se osjeća beskorisno.
„Bez glave – ja sam nitko i ništa“, plakalo je uho.
Uho kreće na put – u potragu za svojom svrhom. Putem susreće različite životinje i pomaže im slušajući njihove probleme, priče i pjev. Uho je pronašlo svoju svrhu, no na put mu staje zla paučica zbog koje uho ponovo posumnja u sebe.
„Kad bi samo glava bila tu. (…) Ona bi znala ušutkati pauka!“
Tada mu u pomoć priskaču sve životinje kojima je na putu uho pomoglo. Zajedno se rješavaju opake paučice i uho napokon shvaća da ga ne određuje glava s koje je došlo.
Slikovnica se bavi ozbiljnom temom na jednostavan način, a ilustracije ovo prate više nego odlično. One su minimalističke, ali istovremeno i veoma detaljne. Bjelina papira iskorištena je kao dio ilustracije i doprinosi kontrastu koji je odrednica priče. Teme (bez)vrijednosti, osjećaja nemoći i samopouzdanja u ovoj su priči obrađene na nesvakidašnji način. Iako neke rečenice direktno izražavaju taj osjećaj nemoći, sama ideja putujućeg uha gotovo je apsurdna – pa nisu li onda i ti osjećaji nemoći i bezvrijednosti apsurdni? Također, zanimljivo je to što su životinje kojima uho pomaže vjerojatno one za koje bi uho mislilo da su bolje ili vrijednije od njega samog, no na svojem putu ono otkriva da baš svaka od njih ima svoje slabosti.
Ova neobična slikovnica bit će zanimljiva već najmlađim čitateljima, no u njoj se nalazi toliko materijala za obrađivanje da i starija djeca mogu u njoj uživati. Vođeno čitanje u grupi i uz vodstvo roditelja ili učitelja čini mi se pogotovo pogodno za otkrivanje dubljih slojeva ove slikovnice.
Vratimo se ipak na temu autorskih slikovnica. Postoji nešto posebno kod ovakvih slikovnica i meni se čini da to proizlazi iz ideje koja je nastala u jednoj glavi od trenutka kada se pojavi, do trenutka zadnjeg slova ili ilustracije, jedinstvena. S jedne strane, to možda znači da će slikovnice s dva autora, tj. s jednim autorom i jednim ilustratorom, biti bogatije jer u njima će se nalaziti dvije priče, ili barem dva doživljaja jedne priče. To, naravno ima svoje prednosti – nezapisani detalji sigurno će se razlikovati kod svakog čitatelja, tako i kod autora i ilustratora. S druge strane, u praksi se čini da je balans ilustracije i teksta u autorskim slikovnicama savršen. To što i tekst i ilustracije prikazuju jednu priču, tj. jednu verziju priče, možda ipak znači da će ta priča biti ispričana na nekoj dubljoj razini i možda uz više detalja.
Uho, estonske autorice i ilustratorice Piret Raud, odličan je primjer autorske slikovnice.
U priči se radi o jednom običnom uhu u neobičnoj situaciji. Uho je ostalo samo, odvojeno od glave, zbog čega se osjeća beskorisno.
„Bez glave – ja sam nitko i ništa“, plakalo je uho.
Uho kreće na put – u potragu za svojom svrhom. Putem susreće različite životinje i pomaže im slušajući njihove probleme, priče i pjev. Uho je pronašlo svoju svrhu, no na put mu staje zla paučica zbog koje uho ponovo posumnja u sebe.
„Kad bi samo glava bila tu. (…) Ona bi znala ušutkati pauka!“
Tada mu u pomoć priskaču sve životinje kojima je na putu uho pomoglo. Zajedno se rješavaju opake paučice i uho napokon shvaća da ga ne određuje glava s koje je došlo.
Slikovnica se bavi ozbiljnom temom na jednostavan način, a ilustracije ovo prate više nego odlično. One su minimalističke, ali istovremeno i veoma detaljne. Bjelina papira iskorištena je kao dio ilustracije i doprinosi kontrastu koji je odrednica priče. Teme (bez)vrijednosti, osjećaja nemoći i samopouzdanja u ovoj su priči obrađene na nesvakidašnji način. Iako neke rečenice direktno izražavaju taj osjećaj nemoći, sama ideja putujućeg uha gotovo je apsurdna – pa nisu li onda i ti osjećaji nemoći i bezvrijednosti apsurdni? Također, zanimljivo je to što su životinje kojima uho pomaže vjerojatno one za koje bi uho mislilo da su bolje ili vrijednije od njega samog, no na svojem putu ono otkriva da baš svaka od njih ima svoje slabosti.
Ova neobična slikovnica bit će zanimljiva već najmlađim čitateljima, no u njoj se nalazi toliko materijala za obrađivanje da i starija djeca mogu u njoj uživati. Vođeno čitanje u grupi i uz vodstvo roditelja ili učitelja čini mi se pogotovo pogodno za otkrivanje dubljih slojeva ove slikovnice.
November 8, 2019
A brave choice, at least by American standards, with outstanding design. The ear is the main character, and the book thus is about listening, being a lady ear for others concerns, and finally being saved by a friend made by that listening.
One really has to see this book to understand how special it is, because the illustrations are so key to the unique imagination of this author/artist. They run wild within the characters, while the pages are very orderly with loads of white space, and room for a longer text on a page or two.
We adults can see hints of the inspiration from Van Gogh's ear, but the story stands alone for a younger reader to not have any clue about this, or the horror connected to that. An art teacher with middle grade or older, might, however, use this as a fun share connecting to his story, and showing how artist are inspired to spin new ideas from past experiences that may be entirely different.
Whereas Van Gogh had no friends, and this ear starts off finger he is alone, headless, at the beginning of the story, by the end, the ear has many friends.
One might wonder what could have been Van Gogh's life had he listened to others more.
One really has to see this book to understand how special it is, because the illustrations are so key to the unique imagination of this author/artist. They run wild within the characters, while the pages are very orderly with loads of white space, and room for a longer text on a page or two.
We adults can see hints of the inspiration from Van Gogh's ear, but the story stands alone for a younger reader to not have any clue about this, or the horror connected to that. An art teacher with middle grade or older, might, however, use this as a fun share connecting to his story, and showing how artist are inspired to spin new ideas from past experiences that may be entirely different.
Whereas Van Gogh had no friends, and this ear starts off finger he is alone, headless, at the beginning of the story, by the end, the ear has many friends.
One might wonder what could have been Van Gogh's life had he listened to others more.
October 29, 2019
A very interesting book! The ear has lost the head and feels like it’s lost is identity. After wandering, the ear discovers how useful it really is as it listens to a range of animals’ worries. When the ear is trapped by a spiders evil words it manages to escape with the help of its newly found friends. Through this the ear is liberated and realises it doesn’t need the head again!
The images are lovely. The ear is placed on various animals to make the animal appear whole again, for example being the shell on a snail and the wing of a butterfly. This suggests the help of the animals helps the ear feel it belongs whilst soothing the worries of the other animals.
The images are lovely. The ear is placed on various animals to make the animal appear whole again, for example being the shell on a snail and the wing of a butterfly. This suggests the help of the animals helps the ear feel it belongs whilst soothing the worries of the other animals.
November 7, 2024
Had high hopes for this one, but I failed to see the connection with Van Gogh (ok, so we are talking about a ear being cut off from the head, but that's it in terms of connections). The illustrations are different, but even those started to feel underwhelming by the end and the story is very simple, straightforward and has been told time and time again. The ear ends up alone, does not know what to do with itself, finds it is good at listening to others, forms friendships, struggles a bit after it ends up listening to some who spew idiocies and recovers with the help of friends. Ahm, not impressed.
November 13, 2025
Just wonderful!
Imaginative, sympathetic, kind and - of course - beautiful artwork.
It still amazes me how Piret Raud was able to come up with such a creative tale of Vincent van Gogh's severed ear and craft it into such a winsome protagonist, who went around helping others - indiscriminately - by simply... lending an ear. I loved this very much and hope to own a copy one day.
Side note: I thought Piret Raud was male. But, as I found her a female on Thames & Hudson's website, all the dots connected with great sensibility. And what an incredible family she belongs to. I'd love to read some of her parents' books in the future.
Imaginative, sympathetic, kind and - of course - beautiful artwork.
It still amazes me how Piret Raud was able to come up with such a creative tale of Vincent van Gogh's severed ear and craft it into such a winsome protagonist, who went around helping others - indiscriminately - by simply... lending an ear. I loved this very much and hope to own a copy one day.
Side note: I thought Piret Raud was male. But, as I found her a female on Thames & Hudson's website, all the dots connected with great sensibility. And what an incredible family she belongs to. I'd love to read some of her parents' books in the future.
February 6, 2019
Mulle üldiselt ei ole Piret Raua lasteraamatud väga istunud. Kuna selle raamatu inspiratsiooniks on kuulus van Goghi kõrv, siis võtsin lugeda. Seni loetutest parim. Lugu õnnetust kõrvast, kes alguses arvab, et ta on ilma peata mõttetu, aga selgub, et siiski on kõrv parim ühes asjas. Kõrv on nimelt parim kuulaja.
February 2, 2022
No vot ei suutnud ma panna ennast lapse kingadesse, seat kõrva ärkamine ilma peata tundus mulle nii kohutav ja jabur :D
Ja siis veel kõrva siseheitlus, kas hakata seeneks või kalaks vms.
See kuulamise osa oli tore, aga lapse arvates igav. Ma ei tea, kas ta korjas sealt üles selle mõtte, kui oluline on kuulamine ja kuidas saab läbi selle sõpru leida?!?
Ja siis veel kõrva siseheitlus, kas hakata seeneks või kalaks vms.
See kuulamise osa oli tore, aga lapse arvates igav. Ma ei tea, kas ta korjas sealt üles selle mõtte, kui oluline on kuulamine ja kuidas saab läbi selle sõpru leida?!?
January 26, 2020
A cheefully charming surreal take about Vincent Van Gogh's disembodied ear feeling deeply disturbed and disoriented over her sudden headlessness. Feeling small and insignificant, the ear discovers a sense of acceptance purpose in neew friendships. Originally published in Estonia.
April 6, 2024
The existential crisis of Van Gough's ear after it had been chopped off. Thoroughly enjoyed this 😆
A tad on the sappy side though. Classically 21st century; made me wonder how the artist would have taken this.
A tad on the sappy side though. Classically 21st century; made me wonder how the artist would have taken this.
January 31, 2019
Väga vahva!
February 1, 2019
This is batsh*t insane and I LOVE IT.
March 19, 2019
Didn’t know the ear is cut from Van Gogh. Nevertheless it is a good story to read. It shows that it is good to be a good listener and show empathy to others. The drawings are unique.
July 28, 2019
Hmm, I like quirky but this was a little bit too out there and I didn't find it satisfying enough. My favourite bit was the sticker on the front saying "inspired by Van Gogh".
November 3, 2019
An elementary and up picture book about an ear that hs lost it's head and the friends it makes.
November 30, 2019
I don't know what's going on in Estonia, but this book is bananas and I'm into it.
January 14, 2020
Vot see oli vist küll mu kõige lemmikum Piret Raua lugu.
Armas ja mõtlema panev sellest, kuidas kõrv on üksikult täitsa peata (hihi) ning kuidas õel jutt võib täitsa sasipuntrasse viia.
Armas ja mõtlema panev sellest, kuidas kõrv on üksikult täitsa peata (hihi) ning kuidas õel jutt võib täitsa sasipuntrasse viia.
April 2, 2020
Pildid olid minu jaoks koledad ja jutt ka kuidagi ..
July 23, 2020
Beautiful story and illustrations! I Love it and so do my kids 😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews