 | Boy and the elephant Author: Blackwood, Freya | |
| Price: $14.99 | ||
Summary:
A boy cherishes an overgrown piece of land where he befriends an imagined elephant formed by the trees, but when builders arrive to clear the space, he must devise a plan to save his cherished friend.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (06/01/24)
Booklist (+) (08/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/06/24)
The Hornbook (+) (00/11/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 08/01/2024 *Starred Review* Every morning, a boy wakes up, dresses himself, and walks to school through the bustling city. He sits on a bench alone while the other children play, and then he walks home. His loneliness is evident in the slump of his shoulders and the minute curve of his eyes. He is tiny on the page and in the world. Gentle watercolor washes of pale indigo with the palest golden ochre shining through keep the tone hopeful, balancing the boy’s sadness. Once home, he prepares two bowls of cereal and steals outside to a grove of trees tucked between the buildings: trees shaped like an elephant, home to robins and blue jays and bunnies. There is no loneliness here—only serenity. When the grove of trees is threatened by developers, the boy makes a plan to save the tree elephant. This simple, magical story of love and beauty is powerfully conveyed through Blackwood’s gorgeous illustrations. Her use of color and line create a dreamy quality while white space and long slender panels maintain the pace of the story so that at no point does the absence of words feel lacking. The conclusion is charming and entirely gratifying. The Boy and the Elephant will be loved by readers of all ages who appreciate the power of the imagination. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
