From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–A young elephant is new to town and anxious about starting school. On her first day, she wears her grandmother's fancy "good luck hat," causing a bully named Belinda and her friends to dub her "Ella the Ella-gant." When Belinda slips on the safety wall that surrounds the schoolyard and protects the students from a very big drop, Ella attempts a rescue only to slip and fall herself. Fortunately, the lucky hat acts as a parachute, transporting Ella and Belinda to safety. The next day, the entire class, bullies included, sports fancy hats, and a message on the chalkboard reads, "We love Ella." With its charming and whimsical cartoons and simple design, this offering seems like a picture book from an earlier era. Ella is a likable character, and children will be able to relate to her emotions. Unfortunately, the story is nothing new and the text may be a bit long for some youngsters. Despite these shortcomings, parents who are nostalgic for Jean de Brunhoff's
The Story of Babar (Random, 1937) will appreciate the D'Amicos's kinder, gentler elephant tale.
–Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From AudioFile
Moving is never easy, and the additional burden of adjusting to a new school and classmates is huge. On the Elephant Islands, shy Ella is not calmed by her mother's soothing words. Nor is she hopeful that Miss Briggs will be able to contain the hurtful words and actions of Belinda Blue, the biggest elephant in the whole school. Diana Canova voices her confidence in Ella's inner resources. Her steady pacing and calm voice characterize Ella's composure in the face of the schoolyard gang and resourcefulness as she solves the greatest of problems. Background music and sound effects complete the recording. A.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
(11)
$11.55
(5)
$8.00
(146)
$11.55
