From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-Fans will welcome the return of a favorite character. Elmer, the patchwork elephant, volunteers to find Baby Elephant's lost teddy bear, which was left behind during a picnic. In the interim, Elmer kindly lends the youngster his own teddy. As Elmer searches, all of the animals he meets-tigers, lions, giraffes, and zebras-try to help. Finally, with the assistance of Wilbur, his checkerboard-colored cousin, Elmer finds Baby Elephant's bear and returns it. The familiar theme and the straightforward dialogue will delight children. The illustrations, saturated with bright colors and adorable baby animals, are perfect for the text. The pages are rich in detail and youngsters will enjoy finding fanciful birds, trees, and flowers in the jungle scenes. Elmer sends a positive message to children, showing them how to comfort with kindness when he parts with his own precious teddy bear to make Baby Elephant feel better.
Barbara Buckley, Jericho Public Library, NY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
Elmer, the patchwork elephant, appears in a new adventure. Baby Elephant is upset because he can't find his teddy bear. One by one, the animals are asked about the bear. All of their children have their teddies, but they all promise to call if they find Baby Elephant's bear. When Elmer hears Baby's bear calling, he's shocked. He didn't know teddy bears could talk. It turns out that it is only Wilbur the ventriloquist throwing his voice, but the bear is found and all ends happily. The story is not flashy, but it is on target for the audience. The pictures, on the other hand, jump right out at you and carry the text. Elmer's pure patchwork colors are complemented by backgrounds in jelly bean hues that get full play in a jungle full of flowers, plants, grass, and trees. Fans of the series will welcome Elmer's return.
Ilene Cooper
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
