Elephantantrum!

PreS-Gr 1—Ellie is a very spoiled little girl. The only thing she doesn't have is her own personal elephant. So, of course, she wants one. Her dad goes to "his big fancy office" and makes it happen. When the animal arrives, Ellie demands tricks, but the pachyderm does not comply. Instead, he plays with her toys, wears her clothes, eats her food, and even begins to boss her around. In a fit of frustration, Ellie breaks into tears. When the elephant offers a handkerchief, Ellie says "thank you" for the very first time. She politely asks if maybe they could share her things. "So they played together and it was wonderful." When Ellie hopes her elephant will stay forever, he gently tells her, "I can't. There are other children who need me too. You'll have to share me." And in the morning, he is gone. Bright collage and crayon illustrations are full of humorous touches, such as Dad peeking around a door watching Ellie and the elephant play, and they also pack a surprising punch when the elephant tells her that he needs to move on. Ellie has enough heart to avoid the tired "mean girl" trope, and her dad is clearly aware of his child's need to change her behavior. The moral is obvious, but never heavy-handed. This gem of a book meets young children right where they are.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK