Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears: A West African Tale is a 1975 children's picture book by Verna Aardema and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.

In this origin story, the mosquito lies to an iguana, who puts sticks in his ears and ends up frightening a snake, which down a long line causes a panic.

In the end, an owlet is inadvertently killed and the owl is too sad to wake the sun until the animals hold court and find out who is responsible.

Teachers can use this text to show students how actions (causes) make other things happen (effect).

The book was adapted into an animated short by Gene Deitch for Weston Woods Studios in 1984, narrated by James Earl Jones.