Elmer and the Whales

May 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-The patchwork elephant that children have come to know and love and his cousin Wilbur take a raft down the river through the jungle to the ocean to visit the whales, seeing colorful flora and fauna along the way. After a frightening but successful trip through the charging rapids, they float out to sea and meet the whales, who then push them back to shore. The writing flows and is a great complement to the vivid spreads. This book is appealing to Elmer's fans or as a first introduction to this endearing character.-Krishna Grady, Darien Library, CT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Elmer and his cousin decide to travel to the sea after their grandfather tells them about seeing whales "when I was your age." The elephants set out on a raft down the river, hit some rapids, then make it to the sea where they're greeted by--what else? While the plot lacks real surprises, McKee's signature rainbow-hued gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are dazzling.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)