When the Elephant Walks
Animals are always a big hit with kids, hence Keiko Kasza's "When the Elephant Walks" is sure to grab their attention. This story starts with an elephant whose presence scares a smaller bear which in turn sets off a chain reaction to a crocodile, who scares a wild hog, who frightens some racoons who send a tiny mouse running.
My favorite part of the story comes near the end where there are a series of pages without words. These pages depict the little mouse running, getting spotted by the original elephant who then takes off running. The final illustration shows the little mouse staring up a tree containing all the frightened animals who one by one sent each other running.
I love the fact that the last few pages do not contain words. Here the story is told through wonderful illustrations, giving parents and children an opportunity to make up their own words and really get involved with this story. The irony that the tiniest little mouse scared the largest of all the other animals sends the subtle lesson that it is amazing what you accomplish despite your size, shape or form. In other words this is an educational book disguised as a fun story. This, in my opinion, is the best way to learn a lesson.
