Elephant in Our City

When an elephant appears in the city, Ben's parents fret, though the young boy knows why the pachyderm is there. It's an odd sight, an elephant on a bicycle in the middle of a busy street. As Ben's parents gaze down on the scene from above, they begin to wonder why the elephant is there in the first place. They imagine silly scenarios that involve the elephant going shopping, doing a cannonball into a swimming pool, and blowing everyone away with a giant sneeze. All the while, Ben is quietly preparing to leave, because he knows exactly why the elephant is in town: "for their ice cream date, of course!" Translated from Dutch, the matter-of-fact text is paired with whimsical artwork; readers see the large gray elephant looking bewildered while squished on a bus, then joyfully jumping into a swimming pool. The splash looks like a delightfully realistic spray across the page, the sneeze a splotchy mess. Children will enjoy the silliness of a wild animal cohabitating with people, especially one that feels larger than life. Leave it to adults to worry and wonder while young Ben simply enjoys the elephant's company. Ben and his parents have pale skin; background characters vary in skin tone. A simple story of boundless imagination and a child's willingness to believe.(Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.