1 of 1 copy available
The moment he is born, Ely delights in the welcoming trumpets of his adoring big sister, Enid. She is so excited to play—but Ely's legs are injured and it's hard for him to move. To help keep Ely safe, Enid sticks close to her determined brother as they grow together through the seasons, trunk-twirling, mud-wallowing, and making silly sounds!
But as Ely grows more confident, he's ready for more adventures, and he feels squished by Enid's worries and rules. Enid is glad that he can run and play, but she's nervous he could get hurt—or that he won't need his big sister anymore. When a drought threatens the whole family, Ely shows what he is capable of, and both he and Enid discover that whether they are helping or playing, dusty or muddy, siblings are mighty special.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
October 3, 2023 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781647007744
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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October 1, 2023
An injured newborn elephant gains strength from a loving older sister. Ely's legs are bent and stuck when he's born, which means he's unable to stand and go to the watering hole. Big sister Enid trumpets a loud, reassuring song. Her brother tries again and again. He pushes, wobbles, and falls again and again, but he perseveres. Finally, with legs splayed and unsteady, Ely stands! Mama Echo cautions that Ely will still need help. Enid vows to be her brother's protector. They bellow silly songs: "Too-wee, too-wee, too-weeeee!" and splash in the mud, declaring their sibling strength by shouting, "We are MIGHTY MUDDY US!" But as Ely grows, his independence does, too. His legs still wobble at times, but his adventurous spirit is strong. Enid is sad her brother doesn't need her anymore, but when a dust storm separates the two, Enid realizes she needs her brother just as much. Levis and Santoso, the duo behind other inspired animal stories such as Feathers Together (2022), bring these lovable pachyderms to life. Dusty, parched, orange-colored scenes give way to joyful water splashing, showing the many, ever-changing conditions elephants face. Sibling support and strong family relationships prevail. An author's note explains the real-life elephant family that inspired the story. Nurtures encouragement, grit, and love. (Informational picture book. 4-7)COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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October 27, 2023
K-Gr 2-Readers already enjoying the "Feeling Friends" series are likely to be satisfied by its newest entry, which introduces an anthropomorphized family of elephants including a newborn who arrives in the world injured and whose life is thus immediately in danger. The book draws readers in from the first with a tale of siblings and survival based on a real elephant family, but the narrative tension dissipates quickly for antsy younger readers. Baby elephant Ely needs Enid, his older sibling, to protect him, but by the time he celebrates his first birthday, the narrative moves to Enid's emotional world; she is less necessary to his survival. Santoso's dynamic and beautifully lit illustrations shine at dusk and dawn, but lose a bit of their luster as the elephant brother and sister mature on the savannah and make their way through a blinding dust storm. The author's strength, articulating trickier parts of the emotional terrain of relationships with empathy and care, helps deepen an understanding for the challenges of being an older, protective sibling given a helper role and then having to relinquish. VERDICT This title offers guidance for caregivers and will be sought after where other titles in the series are popular.-Jessica Fenster-Sparber
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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