Ed and Kip

PreS-Gr 1—This day in the life of two little white elephants begins with the gift of a round rock from Monkey. As they play with the rock, it rolls down the bank and into the water. Sliding down the bank, they counter Crocodile. Distracted by Bug, he bites down on the rock, and Ed and Kip escape. Back home they play with the log Monkey gives them, until the moon rises and they sleep peacefully in their lush surroundings. This book has a larger format than most beginning-to-read titles. The font is big, and the sentences are short. The watercolor and gouache artwork clearly captures the action and gives plenty of clues to unfamiliar words. Speech bubbles also help. The happy little elephants playing in the jungle and sliding down the bank are just a page turn away from the spread of Crocodile with his slit eyes and sharp teeth. Their peril is very real, and their rescue a relief. Reminiscent of Kipling's "The Elephant's Child," this fine title will give much pleasure-and satisfaction-to emergent readers.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN