Gr 1—3—Pomelo is a small pink elephant with a tape-measure-like nose. Curious about the size of his favorite dandelion, he begins to measure things and notices that he himself has grown. "All at once, Pomelo feels the super-hyper-extra force of the cosmos spreading through him." But this feeling comes with all sorts of existential questions: Will he grow equally all over? Will he still have to do the things he doesn't want to do when he gets big? Badescu's endearingly anxious pachyderm mirrors the familiar impatience to grow up, the determination never to act like adults do, and the many other concerns "medium"-sized people face. The author and illustrator demonstrate a brilliant marriage of text and illustration. Chaud's charming paintings of Pomelo in his landscape of dandelions, strawberries, and smiling potatoes—set simply against oversize white pages—breathe life and humor into Badescu's big-picture questions, while playing with scale. Youngsters will laugh at the silly depictions of Pomelo as he grows unevenly, while adults will smile at his joyful exploration of a countryside dotted with asparagus trees, broccoli bushes, and sushi flowers as he learns to love foods that aren't sweet. The imagery may remind some readers of the modern Japanese ultra-cute cartoon style, but the masterful execution—and Badescu's universal subject matter—makes this a picture book that children will return to again and again.—Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI
In this French import, a miniature elephant notices he's getting bigger and begins to ponder a variety of questions about the nature of growth and growing up. The odd little elephant and his fellow garden inhabitants, as shown in the large, spacious illustrations, have great child appeal. Some of Pomelo's more abstract meditations may spark discussion (or go over readers' heads).
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