Review: `We are all different. Everyone is special.'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 16, 2013
Eddie Rice has devised a cleverly interactive book that should delight all young readers: taking part in the story involves not only the hands but also the mind and the learning skills match the entertainment skills. Md. Shaalam provides the excellent illustrations.Elphie the Elephant is happy, having dreamed of a fund day in the forest. He eats a nutritious breakfast, drinks all his water, and is off to play with his friend Zeeby the Zebra. They meet a rhinoceros who is sad because Lenny the leopard made fun of his appearance. Lenny doesn't stop there with his criticisms - he laughs at Elphie's not being able to dance because of his trunk and his girth. Now Elphie is sad and Zeeby cheers him up. `We are all different. Everyone is special. I believe you will be able to help others because of your unique nose and body.' No sooner had Zeeby consoled Elphie than they her screams - Manny the monkey is trapped under a fallen tree trunk. No one could help him, except Elphie who lifts the trunk with his own trunk!  Elphie is the hero. As Elphie departs a huge rock rolls down the mountain and blocks his path and once again Lenny the leopard mocks him, telling him that even with his trunk he won't be able to move the rock. But with Zeeby's encouragement, Elphie uses his massive body to push the rock out of the way.  Elphie and Zeeby are happy again and meet Jerry the giraffe who is thirsty by can't get enough water, so Elphie uses his trunk to squirt water down Jerry's long throat. Now Elphie was happy, being able to help his friends with this long funny trunk and his heavy clunky body. Even at a birthday party for Lenny the leopard, Elphie proves to be the hero of the day wit his bodily gifts!Rice makes his book interactively entertaining and in the end children have learned the importance of self-confidence, feelings, and friendship. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 13