Eddie Longpants - by Mireille LeVert (Paperback)

About the Book

Eddie Longpants is big. Really big. He has long legs and huge feet and gangly arms that dangle down from his shoulders and bump into everything. Every day at school, his classmates find new ways to bully him. One day they call him a giraffe, the next a flagpole or a stepladder. When things get too painful, he takes refuge under his favorite tree. But a turn of events at recess one day helps Eddie win over his tormentors. In the end Eddie and his classmates realize that being big isn't so bad after all, especially when you have a big heart. Eddie Longpants is a strikingly fresh and gentle book about learning to appreciate differences in ourselves and others.

Book Synopsis

Eddie Longpants is big. Really big. He has long legs and huge feet and gangly arms that dangle down from his shoulders and bump into everything. Every day at school, his classmates find new ways to bully him. When things get too painful, he takes refuge under his favorite tree.

But one day the bullying goes too far and the teacher notices. Then Eddie shows his tormentor that there's more than one way to behave. In the end Eddie and his classmates realize that being big isn't so bad after all, especially when you have a big heart.

Review Quotes

This comforting resolution to the problem of difference may be just the anodyne fantasy needed by picture-book readers who are beginning to brave the terrors of kindergarten.-- "Quill & Quire"

[This] gentle, charmingly illustrated book will intrigue children with its unusual design...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.-- "Canadian Children's Literature - CBRA"

A story told with gentle innocence. Eddie Longpants is about appreciating differences and, as such, it stands out in a crowd.-- "School Library Journal"

The medium is as gentle delivered as the message of tolerance for those who are different.-- "Globe and Mail"

This story explores one of the strategies that help people who are bullied - having a friend. Just one friend can make a difference to the person who is bullied and help that person feel accepted-- "Teaching By The Book"

About the Author

Mireille Levert is one of Quebec's most talented children's book author-illustrators. Her previous books include Lucy's Secret, Rose by Night and Tulip and Lupin Forever, and she has won Governor General's awards for Island in the Soup and Sleep Tight, Mrs. Ming. Mireille lives in Montreal, QC where she works as an illustrator.