Elefantina's Dream - Hardcover

Kennedy, X. J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0399234284 ISBN 13: 9780399234286

Publisher: Philomel, 2002

Synopsis

Elefantina is determined to win a spot on the Elympic team for the upcoming Elympics and so practices her figure skating moves to perfection, despite her competitor's sneaky plan to steal the victory from her.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

K-Gr 3-Athletic elephants are back in this sequel to Elympics (Philomel, 1999), which focuses on a driven young elephant who resides in a tropical paradise. After viewing an exhibition on television, her heart's desire is to become an ice-skater. The road to greatness is never easy as Elfy soon discovers. First, there is the challenge of raising the money for skates and then there is the paucity of ice in her landscape. Determination pays off and eventually both the skates and a training venue are obtained. A pint-sized impresario, a chap named Mozzarella Mouse, convinces the novice to pursue her dream and try out for the Elympic team. In the big city, she experiences both the triumph of victory and the agony of defeat all the while plagued by her "dangerous rival," Trickster. The jaunty verse propels the action. The shadowy appearances and rapid departure of Elfy's nemesis is a less-convincing plot element, but doesn't detract substantially from the overall success of the narrative. Colorful crayon and colored-pencil spreads lend vivacity and, yes, even grace to this unlikely competitor. Dealing with a number of high-demand topics including the Olympics, females in sports, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, this story will find an appreciative audience.

Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist:

Ages 5-8. In this sequel of sorts to Elympic s (2000), his earlier collection of poems about an elephant Olympics, American poet Kennedy presents the story of one of those elephants, the eponymous Elefantina. Because she's living in the tropics, Elefantina's dream of learning to ice skate seems elusive. But the iceman cometh, lending her an ice supply, and with the help of a self-appointed trainer, a mouse named Mozzarella, the young pachyderm begins a struggle to master the superspectacular jump known as the salchow. Will she succeed or will an unscrupulous rival sabatoge her skating? Elefantina is no Nancy Kerrigan, and her pesky rival is certainly no Tonya Harding, but kids will nevertheless enjoy the element of suspense, admire Elefantina's determination, and chuckle at Percy's richly textured, cheerfully executed illustrations. Michael Cart
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Philomel
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0399234284
• ISBN 13: 9780399234286
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Percy Graham