School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Little Elephant lives in a cozy house with lots of toys and two loving parents. Despite all these comforts, he is unhappy because he has no friends. One day he comes across a group of small animals playing in the water and asks if he can join them. The creatures enthusiastically include Little Elephant in their activities, but soon come to the conclusion that he is just too big to play with them. Greatly saddened, he goes home and tells his parents about his problem. They suggest that he think of other things he can do with the frogs, the turtle, and the heron. He then helps them fly a kite when there is no wind, and allows them to use his trunk for a slide and a shower. Gorbachev's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are very lively, especially when Little Elephant is trying to play with the small creatures. The bright colors and expressive animals make this an inviting story about making friends and fitting in. While it is a little more message-oriented than the author's other works, the art keeps the tone light and makes the book enjoyable.-Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Reminiscent of both Arnold Lobel and Kay Charao, Gorbachev?s (Three Feet Small) pen-and-ink-and-watercolor illustrations for this simple story, which toys with the idea of size, are a genuinely sweet delight. Lonely and enormous Little Elephant finds new friends who are so physically small, he inadvertently ends up spoiling their games. When the fellow jumps into the lake, the resulting splash sends his potential friends sailing through the air. When he teeters on one foot playing hopscotch, they tell him he?s scary. The comical facial expressions and body language of the tiny frogs, turtle and heron as they flee for their lives is matched by Little Elephant?s enthusiasm and bewilderment as he tries to fit in. With the encouragement of his loving parents, the young pachyderm finally figures out how to join in the fun without causing havoc. Gorbechev?s text at times plods like a circus elephant, and the theme about being tolerant of other people?s difference seems obvious. Still, the hero?s worried eyes as he practices standing on one foot, his absolute joy at helping crane fly his kite in windless weather, and his ingenuity at inventing games to play with his newfound friends will warm the heart of any reader eager for acceptance. Gorbechev?s uncomplicated text and humorous illustrations nicely capture the anguish and happiness of a determined toddler solving a big problem. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
