Review of The Elephant(s) in the Room
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
Review of The Elephant(s) in the Room
As soon as I opened the book, the imagined aroma of the roasted peanuts had me grabbing a Baby Ruth candy bar—at that very moment, I knew this story was a winner. It’s packed to the brim with humor, mystery, and attitude.
The authors, Denny Laake and Monica Laake Beavers, created a new and witty children's series, entitled Another Sammy the Weasel Story. This book is the third installement and can be read as a standalone.
In The Elephant(s) in the Room, Kramer the Dog tries to convince his friend, Sammy the Weasel, that elephants are roaming inside the house. Together, they embark on a detective adventure to solve this mystery. Are there any elephants in the house? Or is it just a mouse? Sorry, I can’t give out the answer without spoilers. However, this interactive fiction will have audiences engaged in no time.
Laake and Beavers didn’t need numerous pages to build their characters. Sammy and Kramer’s personalities are expertly written, and I fell in love with them instantly. Kramer is a shy Shanuzer yet seems to be the more observant of the two. Despite that, he loyally follows his friend. While Sammy, convinced of his keenness, misses the most obvious clues. The resultant effect is side-splitting laughter at their exploits. Needless to say, Sammy and Kramer’s quirks were my favorite feature of the book.
In children’s stories, precise vocabulary is key. There isn’t ample time to slowly build the characters. For this reason, the writing style is another major positive aspect. The word choices are spot-on and bring out the persona of our furry investigators. Also, the book could be useful for younger readers wanting to raise their vocabulary level. Additionally, the lexical level is perfect for an intermediate reader. Although, a gifted beginner could decode most words with marginal assistance. The plotline is filled with unexpected and exciting events. The diversity of the animals is a plus; I would have never thought to pair a weasel with elephants.
The full-spread illustrations are done by Monica Laake Beavers, who is one of the authors. The color palette contains soft and dark tones that help reveal the text. Moreover, the artwork slightly resembles three-dimensional cutouts. I liked this aspect because it reminded me of a paper theater.
I found absolutely nothing to dislike; as such, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Moreover, the book is professionally edited with only one reported typo. A lower rating would be a felony.
This is a wonderful story for a read-aloud session; therefore, I recommend educators include it in book fairs. Also, anyone who loves odd characters will have a blast with Sammy the Weasel. After a hard day’s work, the uplifting humor makes it a good read for parents with their children. I do not recommend this book to those suffering from pachydermophobia.
******
The Elephant(s) in the Room
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
-
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 09 May 2021, 01:29
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 31
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shivansh-007.html
- Latest Review: Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 10 Nov 2021, 02:58
- Bookshelf Size: 0
Thank you for the review
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
I hope your brother likes it! Thanks for stopping by!Shivansh_007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 01:49 Sound like a great book for children. Will definitely read it to my little brother and tell you guys more about it. Thanks for the review.
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
It seems to reach a wide audience. I'm an adult and it made me laugh. Thanks for your comment!Samuel Adeposi wrote: ↑10 Nov 2021, 03:25 Looks more like a book readable for children, primarily. I Will be interested in reading it, though I'm a teenager, sounds great.....
Thank you for the review
- Raluca_Mihaila
- Posts: 2849
- Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
- Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
- Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
- Bookshelf Size: 175
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
- Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson
- Nqobile Mashinini Tshabalala
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1887
- Joined: 23 Jul 2020, 03:06
- Favorite Book: Happy Healing
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 299
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nqobile-mashinini-tshabalala.html
- Latest Review: Anatomy of Revenge by Fred Grace
-
- Posts: 37
- Joined: 16 Oct 2021, 02:39
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 13
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fransisca-ekezie.html
- Latest Review: Surviving Chaos by Harold Phifer
-
- Posts: 265
- Joined: 07 Sep 2021, 07:43
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 64
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-susan-gibbs.html
- Latest Review: Play Golf Better Faster: From Weekend Golfer to Pro Golfer in Two Years by Kalliope Barlis
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
The title played on me as well. Thanks for your comment.Susan Gibbs wrote: ↑30 Nov 2021, 08:54 I was drawn to this review because of the title of the book. This sounds like an entertaining book filled with cute characters. I like the idea of them trying to solve the mystery as to whether or not there are elephants in the house. This is an excellent review.
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
I'm definitely on your side about your view on children's books. Thanks for your comment.Fransisca Ekezie wrote: ↑20 Nov 2021, 03:51 I don't think I can quit reading children's book there's this sweet feeling one get when reading them, specifically me when I read animal stories not to talk of the once with adventure and mystery it takes me back to my childhood and all those fantasies.
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
I hope they have a blast. Thanks for your comment.Nqobile771 wrote: ↑17 Nov 2021, 06:34 I am excited by the review. I cannot imagine how captivated the target audience will be! Great review.
- PeterRabitt20
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
- Currently Reading: Verity
- Bookshelf Size: 127
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
- Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn
Me too, this one made me hungry! Thanks for your comment.Raluca_Mihaila wrote: ↑14 Nov 2021, 12:57 I love it when books evoke smells or images in your brain. They certainly are special! Thank you for this entertaining review!
- Sarah Sonbol
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 783
- Joined: 19 Jun 2021, 06:18
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 88
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sarah-sonbol.html
- Latest Review: Virus 4 Peace by June
- Immaculate06
- Posts: 196
- Joined: 20 Dec 2021, 18:49
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 21
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-immaculate06.html
- Latest Review: ByTheWay by Dennis Santos