Eddie Longpants

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Eddie Longpants is “big, really big ... His feet are enormous and his
arms dangle down.” Because of his size, his classmates taunt him,
calling him “giraffe” and “ostrich” and “skyscraper.” Eddie
stoically accepts their teasing, keeping to himself and making friends
of the little birds instead. When Pete starts calling Eddie’s mother
names, however, Eddie has had enough. Fortunately, this time his teacher
overhears and intervenes.

Fearing the wrath of Miss Snowpea, Pete climbs a tree. He climbs so
high that he freezes, terrified. Unable to hold a grudge, Eddie knows
just who to call. With the help of his father, a fireman, Eddie rescues
Pete.

Mireille Levert’s gentle, charmingly illustrated book will intrigue
children with its unusual design: the book is to be read vertically, a
technique that serves to emphasize Eddie’s gigantic proportions. A
warning on the title page, “This book may give you a stiff neck,”
and the final “The End (of your stiff neck)” are humorous touches
that will delight and amuse readers.

With its themes of appreciating individual differences, bullying, and
forgiveness, Eddie Longpants would be an excellent classroom read-aloud
to generate discussion of these issues with young audiences and to
promote self-esteem. Highly recommended.