The Lost Ears

Harry the teddy bear is two and a half inches tall (or 6.35cm as a publisher’s note helpfully informs post decimalisation readers of this 25th anniversary edition of The Lost Ears). Whilst Harry has few adventures in his life, he is extremely well read, for he lives in Oliver’s pyjama pocket, and reads along with Oliver in bed. What an expert he becomes! Unfortunately, one day he gets tossed into the washing machine along with the pyjamas. Not a happy experience. When Oliver discovers Harry’s ears are lost, he rejects him, so no more books for Harry.

Happily, some time later he is found, and restored to his former glory and to his former pride of place, reading in bed along with Oliver. The framed illustrations on every right hand page are quite charming. One of these shows Harry standing on top of a wooden Dewhurst cottonreel, beside a pincushion, his ears clearly sewn back on with large black stitches. A delightful book.