The Elephant's Child from the Just So Stories - Hardcover

Grade 1-6 ``In the High and Far-Off times the Elephant. . .had only a blackish, bulgy nose, as big as a boot.'' Then the Elephant's Child, full of insatiable curiosity, journeyed across Africa to discover what the crocodile has for his dinner. This version of the best-beloved Just So story takes minor liberties with the text (`` `satiable curtiosity'' becomes ``insatiable curiosity''). Soft hues and line-hatch drawings portray whimsical jungle folk; even the crocodile's ``musky, tusky mouth'' is unthreatening. In interesting interpretations, the Precession of the Equinoxes is shown as the planets revolving along the horizon, and the elephant's journey as a trail of melon rinds across Africa. This title may be purchased with an audio cassette. Collections that have Lorinda Bryan Cauley's version of this tale (HBJ, 1983) may bypass this one, since the two interpretations are similar. For collections that do not have a picture-book edition, though, this Elephant's Child is a good choice.Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Lib., Mass.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"An attractive edition of a favorite story--the complete text is illustrated with a generous number of lively watercolors that make entertainingly explicit such details as just how the Elephant's Child carried his provisions--very good illustration."