Engelbert the Elephant - Hardcover

Paxton, Tom

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688089356 ISBN 13: 9780688089351

Publisher: Morrow Junior Books, 1990

Synopsis

An elephant's dancing skills and good manners surprise everyone at the royal ball, including the queen.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

In what has to be the social upset of the season, an unsuspecting elephant receives a surprise invitation to the royal ball (thanks to a pair of prankster mice). Engelbert's arrival startles the stuffy courtiers, who nearly cause a stampede in their panic. But the queen is charmed by the pachyderm's courteous bow, and quickly puts a halt to the mad exit. Wearing one sneaker and one rollerskate, Engelbert turns out to be a veritable Fred Astaire, and is even chosen to squire the queen for the final dance. In the end, the party adjourns to the jungle, where the revelers dance until dawn. Popular folksinger Paxton has pulled out all the stops in this rollicking ballad, with its gentle reminder not to judge a book by its cover. Kellogg's characteristically droll touches depict Engelbert as a hero of magnanimous proportions--and one worth cheering for as well. Aspiring musicians may be disappointed to note that the music isn't included, so they could learn the tune and sing along. All ages.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Kellogg doesn't miss an opportunity to turn the verses of Paxton's ballad into sensitive buffoonery. Engelbert is invited to the Queen's Royal Ball. When he's presented, "the King and Queen were speechless/ (And I'm sure they're speechless now),/ Engelbert the Elephant/ Made a very lovely bow," with his large green-checkered backside predominating the page. The first half of the book is executed in muted pastel shades, largely in yellows and oranges with green and blue highlights. Readers will look for the multitude of carefully selected details in the jungle, the palace, and in the town. At dawn, the party follows Engelbert to the forest where Kellogg creates a mystical sunrise in pastel blues and greens with yellow highlights. "And the frolicking that followed/ Is still talked about today." Be sure to watch for the two mice who accompany Engelbert throughout his adventure. --Denise Krell, New York Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Morrow Junior Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0688089356
• ISBN 13: 9780688089351
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Kellogg Steven