Review of The Elephant(s) in the Room

[D Franklin Pack]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Elephant(s) in the Room" by Denny Laake and Monica Laake Beavers.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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While I do not have the memory of an elephant, I do remember that when I was a child, I did have a trunk. Inside that trunk, I kept a small treasure of my favorite storybooks alongside my favorite toys. Like other kids, the books that I was particularly drawn to were those that were exciting, featured animals, and had colorful and funny illustrations. Years later as a parent, I was also drawn to the children’s books that were designed to spark the imagination of children and would also encourage them to ask questions. The Elephant(s) in the Room by Denny Laake and Monica Laake Beavers has all these characteristics. There is no question that this lovely book would have been one of my favorites, both as a child and as a parent.

Other than elephants, the animals featured in this book are a weasel named Sammy and a dog named Kramer. I can see how a small child could find it exciting to follow along from page to page while trying to help Sammy and Kramer conduct their room-to-room search for elephants. I can also understand how a child might ask questions, such as what a disclaimer is, or if elephants really do eat peanuts. I, for one, am wondering when we will see more of Mo the Monster.

What I like most about this book are the amazing illustrations by Monica Laake Beavers. They are on every page and are colorful and funny. The various expressions shown on the faces of the characters help set the mood throughout the book. I also like how the story is participatory by inciting children to point out the elephants or, in some cases, just the elephants' trunks.

I rate this book five out of five stars. It is well-edited with no errors and is everything a children's book should be. I have no negative comments or constructive suggestions to offer. It is perfect the way it is.

I recommend this book to all young children. They will find it intriguing and fun and will surely place it among their most treasured books.

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The Elephant(s) in the Room
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