Children Learn about Body Art along with Numbers

Two Long Ears
Written and illustrated by Jacob A Boehne
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2016
Ages 3 to 6

In this board book, youngsters learn about body art as they count from 1 to 10. One is for one ring in the nose. Two is two long ears. Three is for three rose tattoos on the head.

“At an early age, I became intrigued by tattoos and body modification,” said Jacob A. Boehne in an author’s note. “I used to flip through ‘National Geographic’ admiring the people who were adorned with all sorts of images and jewelry.”

Boehne thought this book would be a simple way to start talking to preschoolers about cultural differences and foster diversity.

With its simple but intriguing illustrations, the book is a good conversation starter. However, it might have been a good idea to add a few facts at the end about which cultures have practiced ear stretching or found symbolic meaning in nose rings or decorated their bodies with tattoos.

About the Author and Illustrator:

Jacob A. Boehne is an early childhood educator, parent, artist, and writer who is interested in body art. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and two children.