Book Review: Johnny Big Ears, The Feel Good Friend

Book Review:
Johnny Big Ears, The Feel Good Friend by John Paul Padilla

Description: Johnny Big Ears is just like every other five-year-old child, but when he starts his first day of kindergarten, children begin to tease him because of his enormously large ears. Follow Johnny as he faces the challenges that being different presents. How will Johnny react to being teased? Find out why Johnny turns out to be the winner in this book that addresses typical childhood bullying and offers children advice on how to deal with teasing.


This is a great book for children to be reminded about the importance of being unique and special even when they may feel different or left out at school. It can help a child who is being teased or bullied in school. The story is about a Kindergarten boy who is teased because of the size of his ears. He learns that it is important to love yourself and it's what's inside that is most important.
I enjoyed the twist on the names of the teacher and his new friend that also points out that everyone is truly different. I read this book along with my 9 year old son. We both liked how Johnny ignored the bullies and found other friends to play with. We both felt that the story was geared more towards Kindergarteners. The book is considered an easy reader for 3rd grade. We thought that it would be a nice story to read to a child in Kindergarten and/or a Kindergarten class. This could also be used by the guidance counselors to share with classes or individual students about teasing and bullying. This book has a great message that is so important for children to learn.