Elephant Island

“Elephant Island,” by award-winning author and illustrator Leo Timmers, recounts the tale of an adventurous and seafaring elephant named Arnold who is left standing on a protruding rock (described as “a tiny island’) in the sea after a storm destroys his boat. After initial calls for help fail, the elephant is “rescued” in turn by a series of animals: a mouse in his motorized boat, a dog in his sailboat, a crocodile (alligator?) in his fishing boat, and others. Although Arnold is grateful for all their efforts to help him, each time he steps onto one of the boats, his weight causes it to collapse. But Arnold always makes the best of the situation, finds a use for all the broken pieces of the collapsed boats, and cheerfully welcomes his rescuers on his island, which, with Arnold’s construction skills, eventually expands to accommodate everyone. Each time, too, Arnold cleverly rebuilds a larger and larger structure announcing “There’s always room for one more.” His elephant island begins to draw all sorts of animals who enjoy singing and dancing together: a horse, a hippopotamus, a ram (?), a bear, and countless birds. Elephant Island becomes a very attractive, appealing, and popular destination. All is well and all are happy until there’s another storm and that structure, too, is destroyed. Though some of the animals suggest going home, Arnold has “a better idea” and reconstructs the largest structure ever. Timmers’ exquisitely illustrated and well-written tale teaches children about optimism, hope, friendship, cooperation, sharing, and caring. It also imparts lessons in critical thinking and problem solving. Very highly recommended for children two-to-six years old. Parents and children may also find Timmers’ other three books of interest: “Gus’s Garage,” “Where’s the Dragon?”, and “Monkey on the Run.”

This book is pure fun! The story of an elephant’s shipwreck begins even before the text does. When the reader opens to the title page, they will see Arnold paddling his boat with an expression that can only be described as pure panic. Turn to the first page and you see the aftermath of the “boisterous wave” that sank his boat. Luckily, Arnold finds a “tiny island” which is basically a rock about the size of his feet. In the following pages, Arnold continues to have mishaps, but he manages to salvage his situation, eventually expanding his “island” to accommodate all the friends he makes along the way. If you like tongue-and-cheek humor, cut-paper collage illustrations, expressive characters (it’s all in the eyes!), and stories about the high seas, shipwrecks, friendships, creativity, imagination, perseverance, resilience, and kindness, then this is the book for you!

Loved the book. Had to read it through twice the first time out.