Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Errol the elephant has been written off by his classmates, and his chances of impressing anyone in the school talent competition are slim. But with encouragement from his dad and help from a book that explains just how remarkable elephants are, Errol puts together a boffo display of trunk skills and becomes the toast of the class. Unfortunately, Conway (Lila and the Secret of Rain) tends to hector readers with life lessons ("Errol and his classmates discovered they shared the best talent of all... making friends") and asks them to believe Errol has been heretofore clueless about his own trunk-which also raises the question of why Dad has waited so long to share vital anatomical information with his son. It's a testament to Angaramo's (The Ugly Duckling) illustrations that these narrative lapses almost don't matter: Errol and his antagonists-turned-BFFs are exceptionally adorable. Angaramo elevates cuteness to an art with her dense, saturated colors, exuberant, sculptural shapes, and wide range of compositional choices. She conveys far more about personalities and emotional trajectories than does the text. Ages 2-6. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-At school, Errol the elephant is thought to be clumsy and awkward by his peers. When a talent show is announced, he tries and fails at juggling, playing the tuba, and dancing. Discouraged, he does not want to enter the show. Luckily his understanding father gives him a book enumerating the special skills that elephants possess. Errol makes good use of the information, and he not only takes first place but gains the friendship of his classmates as well. The text sneaks in some factual information about these animals, but the lively illustrations really take center stage. The spreads are colorful and engaging, featuring expressive characters that at times fill the pages. Spoiler alert: the book cover shows Errol with his winning medal, so the story's suspense is limited. Pair this with Jean de Brunhoff's "Babar," Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who! (1954, both Random), or Mo Willems's "Elephant & Piggie" books (Hyperion) for an elephant-themed storytime.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When a school talent contest is announced, Errol the Elephant worries that he has no special talent. So his father gives him a book about elephants that inspires Errol to demonstrate the versatility of his very useful nose. The didactic and predictable story is rescued by Angaramo's vibrant, energetic illustrations full of affection for the little pachyderm. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The message may be a standard one, but its vehicle is particularly friendly and comforting to younger children. All the other animals on the playground think that Errol the elephant is clumsy and has a silly nose, but after reading a book about elephants that provides some empowering information he wows an audience of peers and parents at a talent show by using his trunk as a hand, a snorkel and a hose. Off he goes to show his book to fascinated classmates, sharing "the best talent of allmaking friends." While the message and outcome are no big surprise, Conway includes audience-pleasing details: The teacher is a tortoise (of course), a chorus of finches singing to an orchestra of meerkats and "Abraham the Anaconda ate two hundred pancakes." The animal cast members look like plush toys in Angaramo's big, simple, coarsely brushed paintings, and smiles outnumber tears by a wide margin. A big bowl of literary chicken soup for any calf in need of a dose of self-confidence. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
