THE LITTLEST ELEPHANT

The titular elephant’s self-absorption causes problems for other animals.

Having just learned to swim, Ellie the littlest elephant wants to be the first to reach the water. As she rushes past other animals, shouting about all that she will do when she gets there, she knocks over the chameleon, interrupts the monkeys’ mango-picking, and jostles the butterflies. After she steps on the tiger’s tail and the big cat roars, Ellie pauses. A little voice responds, “Just in time!” Ellie glances down and realizes she was about to step on a mouse, who reminds her to watch where she’s going as all the animals look on. Ellie apologizes for her carelessness and then shows extraordinary concern and helpfulness as she and the others approach the pool together. The book offers a solid message, but the text feels didactic—less a story and more a lesson in respecting others. However, the artwork is compelling. The endpapers show a sophisticated pattern of trees. Mixed-media collages, in a colorful, soothing palette, depict animals with generally sweet expressions (the roaring tiger is a dramatic, slightly frightening exception); their exaggerated unhappy countenances when the mouse confronts Ellie will elicit giggles. Speech bubbles are sprinkled throughout as the creatures warn Ellie to slow down or call out in excitement.(This book was reviewed digitally.)

Sweet, though preachy.