Elefantastic!: A Story of Magic in 5 Acts: Light Verse on a Heavy Subject

The Mommies Reviews

This is a review for the children’s book Elefantastic!: A Story of Magic in 5 Acts: Light Verse on a Heavy Subject written by Jane Yolen who sent me a copy in exchange for this review.

Elefantastic!: A Story of Magic in 5 Acts: Light Verse on a Heavy Subject by [Jane Yolen, Brett Helquist]

Anyone who knows me know I love Circus and Elephants. Infact I’ve been trying to get David to let me decorate on wall in our home with Circus Memorabilia, but it hasn’t happened yet. Unless we move and I do end up with a office and then you can bet your bottom dollar I will do that.

On one way I will display my copy of Elefantastic!: A Story of Magic unless Charlie or David take Elefantastic!: A Story of Magic which they have both said they would like to have. As I sat down to read the story, I was surprised the Author only used 22 words, but the pictures led to many stories and discussions with my family.

I love how this story brought me right into the story and made me want to cry both from sadness but happiness. Charlie and I will be adding Elephants to our Animal Studies in our Homeschool Class. As well as found words for our Spelling Test.

We will be studying Africa, Zimbowie and along with The Flying Wallendas and Circus Flora, David Baldwing and so many other things we found in this book. Including leading us on a Field Trip to a Circus the next time one visits our City. Would you like to join us?

About:

Experience a magical story of ele-friendship and one disappearing elephant’s ele-fate.

Discover the unlikely—and entirely unforgettable—friendship between Flora, an elephant calf stolen from her African home, and David, the circus impresario and magician who adopts, trains, and ultimately liberates her, in this tale freely inspired by actual events.

With a minimum of language—only 22 words in all—but a maximum of inventive ele-fantabulous wordplay, Jane Yolen deftly reimagines this initially tentative but ultimately unconditional relationship between a man and an elephant. Brett Helquist not only lovingly illuminates the tale with all the excitement and tension, mystery and color of a vintage circus poster but also fully captures the subtle range of emotions of a remarkable and enduring ele-friendship.

FRIENDSHIP TALE: There’s endless fascination with the deep bond of friendship that can grow between wild animals and humans. This spectacular narrative is based on the true story of Flora the elephant, which can be read in the back of the book.

READ-TOGETHER WHIMSY AND WIT: A simple text in which every word starts with ELE- makes this a great read-aloud and guessing game that will have children completing the whimsical text.

EVERYONE LOVES ELEPHANTS: From Babar to Elmer, elephants have been icons of children’s literature and continue to be one of the most popular animals featured in contemporary children’s books. This book is perfect for Elephant-fans of all ages!

Perfect for:

• Lovers of animal friendship stories
• Grandparents
• Parents
• The myriad fans of Jane Yolen
• Teachers and educators
• Librarians