Emma's Elephant: And Other Favorite Animal Friends - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1. Using a format almost identical to that in The Big Book of Beautiful Babies (Dutton, 1996), Ellwand once again displays his obvious talents as a black-and-white photographer. This time the subjects are a bit older and they've brought along their pets, from "Rachel's rascally rat" to "Emma's ENORMOUS elephant!" Each softly toned, full-page or double-page photograph captures child and pet in an appealing and occasionally unusual pose. For example, "David's dotted dog" rests quietly at his side but "Bella's beautiful butterfly" sits squarely on her nose. Alliteration adds to the fun but there is little other rhyme or reason to the order of the text. In a particularly clever photo, "Gordon's glittering goldfish" appear to be swimming in air right in front of his slightly startled face. Unfortunately, the stitched binding runs directly through Gordon's eye (many of the double-page photos are marred by this distracting middle seam). Nevertheless, children will thoroughly enjoy this tour of common and uncommon creatures pictured with their quite contented caretakers. Good for both preschool storytime and beginning readers.?Alicia Eames, formerly at Brooklyn Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Recent fans of Some Smug Slug (1996) may appreciate a different kind of animal alliteration in this book, whose pages are formed by a striking set of black-and-white photographs of kids and their animal allies. While not an alphabet, many letters are represented: ``Simon's slithery snake'' is seen wrapped about his neck, ``Rachel's rascally rat'' perches atop her hat, ``David's dotted dog'' rests sleepily beside its owner. Each portrait is a deliberate character study, up close and personal. Some are playful, others more contemplative in their composition, and likenesses between kids and their animal friends will not be overlooked. Aside from being a collection of posed, interesting photos, the book could be used in animal-naming sessions, or for wordplay that extends the alliteration. Cats, dogs, ponies, and goldfish are to be expected, but the book concludes with a bounce on Emma's enormous elephant, the largest animal of all. A collage of fun, spontaneous-looking outtakes fills the endpapers, and may prompt children to pick up their cameras and take a few shots themselves. (Picture book. 1-4) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.