I’m adding another wonderful story to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. For more wonderful reviews from authors, educators and others who contributed today, please go here.
Please let me share some good news first! Starting now, the price of the Kindle Edition of Show Me How! will be ONLY $2.99 for the ENTIRE SUMMER. I wanted to make it more available to parents, teachers, VBS, summer playground groups and homeschooling families. This is a SUBSTANTIAL discount off the regular $9.99 price. The activities (100 crafts and 100 recipes and 100 picture book summaries) will definitely help provide fun and educational projects for the kids.
In the spotlight today is another one of the treasures I scooped up in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content.
Emma’s Elephant
Written by David Seow
Illustrated by Enrico Sallustio
Publisher: Bonnie Books (2013)
Ages: 3 and up
Themes:
Friendship, animal conservation, family, overcoming fears
Opening Lines:
“Hello, I’m Emma and I have an elephant. Her name is Ella. She has one long trunk, two floppy ears, four big feet, one tiny tail. And she is invisible! But if she likes you, she’ll let you see her. Can you see her?”
Synopsis:
Ella, a young elephant is so scared by hunters that she becomes invisible, except if she likes and trusts you. She seeks help from a little girl named Emma. Emma joins the elephant on a journey to see if they can make the jungle a safer place for all of the animals.
Why I like this book:
- Great read-aloud
- Wonderful message of hope and family togetherness
- Bold, bright illustrations
- I attended the book launch for Emma’s Elephant at the 2013 Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore and had a chance to chat with the author, David Seow, and the illustrator, Enrico Sallustio. They both signed my copy of Emma’s Elephant (which I will be giving to my new grand-daughter, Sophie) and it was a pleasure to chat with this talented multi-published duo.
David Seow on the left, Enrico Sallustio on the right and happy me behind them.
How a parent can use this book:
- Lovely read-aloud
- Talk about animals in the wild and how we can protect them and their habitats
- Take a trip to a zoo to see some of the animals mentioned
- Talk about how Ella reacted when she was afraid…how do you feel when you are afraid? What do you do?
- If you make the craft, your child can role play with her elephant.
Related Activities:
PAPER PLATE ELEPHANT
- I love simple crafts for kids.
- Paper plates are inexpensive and easy to work with.
- This one is painted…but you can use markers or crayons.
- Cut pieces of construction paper or material scraps for the legs, trunk, tail, ear and eye and glue in place.
- Just a few minutes of your time, participating with your child…that’s all it takes…the long-term rewards are amazing!
You can connect with the author and illustrator.
Related articles
- Picture Book Review and Activity – Dill the Little Elephant (viviankirkfield.com)
- #2013AFCC – A Picture Book is Worth a Thousand Words (viviankirkfield.com)
- Kenyan Wildlife: Elephant Orphanage (k2l2a.wordpress.com)
- WATCH: Baby Elephant Rescued From a Well In Thailand (newsfeed.time.com)
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
the illustrations are super cute! But I love books with a message. Will look for this one at the library. Thanks for sharing!
-Reshama
http://www.stackingbooks.com
LikeLike
Thanks so much for stopping by, Reshama! This books answers both of your wishes…super cute illustrations and a beautiful message! I, too, love a picture book with a positive message…our children need helpful guidance…what better opportunity than with a lovely picture book, cuddled in mom’s or dad’s arms. 🙂
LikeLike
This one looks like something Aarya would definitely enjoy and that Elephant craft is just so cute 🙂
LikeLike
Glad you stopped by to read my blog post and comment…thank you so much! Crafting simple projects is such fun for kids…this one is really easy.:)
LikeLike
Sounds like a gem. The illustrations sound gorgeous! Is the elephant an imaginary friend? How did you get all your books home from Singapore?
LikeLike
The illustrations are great, Pat. No, the elephant isn’t imaginary…he escapes from the jungle and appear at Emma’s house. After she hears the story, she rides on him back to the jungle where they outwit the hunters.:)
The books came home in my suitcase…almost made my suitcase penalty heavy.:) I’ll post about that on Facebook today.:)
LikeLike
What an adorable book and a great activity to go along with it.
LikeLike
I appreciate your stopping by…I love teaming up a great picture book with a quick and easy craft project…kids love it and love doing things with their parents. I try to provide simple fun ideas to make parental planning and preparation a snap.:)
LikeLike
I suppose an elephant crafted in white could be considered invisible too!
LikeLike
Very clever thought, Julie!
LikeLike
Hee, hee!
LikeLike
Adorable, Vivian! Great deak on your book too. Thank you.
LikeLike
deal 😉
LikeLike
Glad you liked the book, Catherine! And I’m hoping the low price will encourage lots of folks to grab one…and find out how much fun and how easy it is to spend time with their kids.:) Especially with the summer…need lots of activities, right?
LikeLike
Nice book! I like it! Such a great idea! Like Ms. Tilton I thought the elephant was imaginary. The story is even better that it is not! I like your elephant craft idea!
LikeLike
I’ll have to ask David Seow, the author, if the elephant is intended to be imaginary or not. Glad you liked the craft, Erik. 🙂
I’m sure you have plans for the summer…camp? lots of books to read? trip with family?
LikeLike
We go camping in July and I have TONS of books to read!
LikeLike
Sounds like great fun, Erik! Bring plenty of bug repellant and sunscreen.:) 🙂
LikeLike
I want to read the entire story now – very cute.
LikeLike
Joanne, it was dangerous letting me loose at all those bookseller’s tables.:) The only thing that saved me was knowing I had to cart them home in my suitcase.:) This book was in paperback, so that helped.:)
LikeLike
You returned with so many treasures! I don’t know if I’ll be able to find this title, but I look forward to it. So inventive! Thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you, Joanne! Yes, one of the problems is that many of the books that are produced in the Pacific Rim countries are not available in the West…we need to change that! I’m trying by publicizing them…perhaps if book dealers/Amazon get lots of requests, they will find way to make it happen.:) Sometimes it takes some effort on the part of the author and/or publisher…but I think it can happen. 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: Blow A Kiss: Book Review and Craft Activity for Kids | Picture Books Help Kids Soar