It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date, and adapted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts with a children’s/YA focus. The Sunday Post is hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. These weekly roundups are a great way to discover new blogs and bloggers, share some of the titles you’ve been enjoying, and add to your ever-growing to-read list.
I’ve been on a picture book hunt recently, trying to find just the right books for my wonderful yet challenging story time groups. Here are just a few of the picture books I’ve devoured this week!
Well, have you seen Elephant? If you haven’t, I highly recommend picking up this sweetly hilarious picture book about an elephant who is a master of the art of hide and seek!
A little boy and an elephant play a rather strange game of hide and seek! Elephant is a self-declared hide and seek expert whose hiding skills seem to leave a little something to be desired. I shared this one with my preschoolers, and it left them in stitches. We couldn’t seem to decide whether elephant was really good at hiding, the boy was terrible at seeking, or if the boy was just trying not to hurt his new friend’s feelings. Any story that inspires these kinds of conversations in story time is a winner in my book!
Robots! Who doesn’t love robots? Robots are awesome, and these little robots are particularly adorable. A little boy tries to put his rambunctious robot triplets to sleep, but every time he thinks they’re finally settled in, the little mechanical babies spring back to life with another demand! Little readers will delight in the antics of the sweet, silly little robots, who really just want love and attention, while adult readers….well, let’s just say we all know why nature made little ones so incredibly adorable and lovable (and it’s to keep their caregivers from completely losing their minds when they’re woken up in the middle of the night for the 18th time in a row….)!
I’ve read this wonderful, wonderful picture book before, but I simply had to share it again, because it’s gentle message of empathy and inclusion is perhaps more needed than ever. When a little boy and his tiny pet elephant are excluded from a pet club, they start up their own open club that welcomes all. One of the aspects of this books that I love so much is the spirit of positive action. When the boy is excluded from the club, he allows himself a moment to feel hurt, then uses his negative experience as inspiration to take action. He makes a real change and includes others in his mission to create an environment that’s fun and welcoming for all. Strictly No Elephants is inclusive, kind, loving and absolutely wonderful, without ever being preachy or didactic.
So, have you read anything wonderful this week? I’d love to hear about it!
Oh a bit of an elephant theme this week. I wonder what it is about kids’ books and elephants?! Perhaps it started with Dumbo. Or Babar?
My godson has just started (what we now call) prep this year. He’s 5, turning 6 so I assume he’ll be starting to recognise letters etc so may need to look more closely at the array of books out for children now!
I love elephants! I’ve always loved them – they’re just so intelligent and loyal, while still being kind of silly looking with their comical giant ears and trunks. “Strictly No Elephants” has the most adorable little “tiny elephant” pet, too – oh, how I wish I could really have a tiny elephant!! 🙂
I think Beep Beep Go To Sleep looks great- I just love the title! And the elephant ones are not bad either… 🙂
The little robots are very cute, and perfect for kids who love science fiction!
Beep Beep! Go To Sleep! looks amazing. I love the illustrations and warm colors.
My It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
For some reason, this made me think of Babar, and this disturbing spoof I saw about it not too long ago– http://the-toast.net/2015/11/09/childrens-stories-made-horrific-the-story-of-babar/
I loved Babar, but looking back, I can see how it has not weathered the passage of time as well as it could have!
Oh yes, there are a number of beloved children’s stories that, when reread now, make me pretty uncomfortable! I loved Dr. Dolittle as a child, but oh dear, I reread a few passages recently that had me squirming!
Have You Seen Elephant sounds great. Beep Beep sounds very funny. I’ll have to check out both. I enjoyed Strictly No Elephants – wonderful message.
I loved the way that Strictly No Elephants managed to deliver such an important message in such a sweet and fun way, thanks in so small part to the adorable illustrations. Where can I get a tiny elephant?! 😉
I am totally adding these to an upcoming book cart to purchase for the library. They sound awesome and fun. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, I’m glad to share! When I find a book I love, I just have to share it with the world! 🙂
I know the two elephant books, both great, but Have You Seen Elephant is such a great book for a read aloud. I imagine the giggles increasing with every page! I just finished another ‘sleep’ book, and do love them, so will find “Beep, Beep” too, Jane. Have a great reading week!
It’s so fun to read Have You Seen Elephant with a straight face, and act surprised when the kids argue that the elephant isn’t actually all that great at hiding. 🙂
These all sound excellent. I’m adding them to my next Elementary book order. Come see my reading week here. Happy reading!
How wonderful! I’m always glad to share the picture book love. 🙂
Strictly No Elephants is a favorite! I bet the story time kids enjoyed it!
They did! We had really great conversations about sharing and caring, which is just wonderful.
Hi Jane, Strictly No Elephants and Have You Seen Elephant are on my list of books to read. I should probably put them on hold!
Elephants are finally having their moment in the sun! As an elephant fan, I’m very happy. 🙂
I loved Have You Seen Elephant? I liked but didn’t love Strictly No Elephants, but several Monday posts have convinced me that I need to give it a second reading and share it with my students.
Have you read Hoot Owl? The “bad-at-hiding” trope works there to dramatic effect as well. 🙂
I really love how you share a spread from the picture books your review. I’m looking forward to finding all three.
I loved Strictly No Elephants! I’ll have to check out the other two picture books on the list!
I will be featuring Strictly No Elephants next week – I am really fervently hoping it wins the CYBILS this year. When I saw the art in Have You Seen Elephant – it reminded me a bit of Pete and Pickles by Berkeley Breathed – you have got to find that one.
I’ve had two recommendations for Pete and Pickles this week, I’ve just gone and put a library hold on it!!
Have You Seen Elephant looks delightful. Do you know Pete and Pickles? If you love elephants you might love this one. It is truly my favourite picture book EVER. Which is saying a lot!
Hahaha, I love that picture from the robot book. That looks adorable and like such a fun story.
Oh my goodness, I can already hear my toddler cracking up at Have You Seen Elephant. I am requesting it from the library right now!
I haven’t read any of these, but I know that Trent would love them all–checking to see if my library has them right now!
Happy reading this week 🙂