Little Elephants

PreS-2–Little Elephants defies logic in all of the best ways. Jim and his mother live alone on a struggling wheat farm. When he catches a mouse and wants to keep it as a pet, his mom explains that “one mouse will attract others …we just can’t chance it.” Times are already tough for the little family; with the harvester broken and a swarm of locusts on the way, things look grim for the farm. After a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger, however, Jim is surprised to see that his mouse has returned, and it’s not alone. A swarm of tiny elephants has invaded the house. They go for a joyride on Jim’s toy trucks before sprouting wings, defeating the locusts, and bringing in the harvest (“two ears at a time”). This is a strange, magical book. Base’s lush paintings ground the fanciful story in its realistic rural setting. At the same time, the landscapes are suffused with a golden glow that casts a soporific charm over the whole book. Interesting visual details abound, from the mouse’s thimble helmet to the prophetic circus posters on the walls. A great book to enjoy one-on-one.–Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD