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Uncle Elephant Review

Adults say this is a book that deals with loss. I'm sure that when my daughter is older, she will see it that way. She does not now. That is one of the beautiful things about this entertaining, wonderful book - that the aspects of loss in this book are presented in a way that they can be completely ignored by children who aren't ready, acknowledged by children who are just discovering these ideas, and can be discussed with older children.

I think it is inaccurate to say this is a book "about loss." This book is written from the child's perspective, and it is primarily a book about his visit to his uncle. As an adult, we catch what is going on - the child's parents are lost at sea - presumed dead - and his uncle (although I think it is the parent's uncle) comes to take a nephew he has never seen to live with him. But that's not what the book is about, and that's not what your child takes away from it. It is just a delight watching the two elephants interact.

I don't want to spoil the ending. Darn - I want to talk about it.

Uncle Elephant Overview

Uncle Elephant comes to the rescue when his nephew's parents are lost at sea and cares for him until they are found again.

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Customer Reviews

A book worth reading - C. Wagner - On the banks of the Wabash far away
In his short life (1933-1987), Arnold Lobel left behind a treasury of "easy" readers for children. Of course, the Frog and Toad stories are not to be neglected, but "Uncle Elephant" is among my favorites, a title I chose to keep after my children had "grown up."
This is a brief story of family, of what we are, and what we can be. Of course, the illustrations are marvelous also. If you have not already done so, get a copy and read it to your children and grandchildren.






A Dear Uncle - Eugene Spanier - Etobicoke, Ontario Canada
Arnold Lobel's books are part of the regular diet in our house and the recent addition of uncle Elephant looks to be a worthwhile one. It'a caring and sensitive story that deals with the unhappy disappearance of parents without becoming sentimental. My son listens intently and asks me to repeat specific sections: when uncle trumpets the morning: "varoomaroom" (in your best elephant voice), and when he composes a cheerful song for his nephew (sing it to any tune you like and change a word or name here and there), it picks up everyone's spirits and the happy ending makes it fine for bed time.



A book about love and loss - Sarah Sammis - Hayward, CA United States
What happens when an uncle is faced with the possibility that his nephew is now an orphan? That's the story of Uncle Elephant. Arnold Lobel treats this tough story with kindness, humor and heart. His illustrations show the heart break on both the uncle and the nephew even though neither character ever admits his pain to the other. The words, though chosen to be easy for young readers, are put together to show just how people in grief take measures to put up a strong front to the world. Although Uncle Elephant has a happy ending, the book still serves as gentle advice for dealing with real loss.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 08, 2010 05:28:04