Elephant in the Classroom

Elephant in the Classroom by Amy Reimer (IP Kidz), RRP $25.99 Picture Book ISBN 9-781922-830111

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

Sophie struggles to go to school. It’s a challenge for her to enter the classroom that can be too loud and too bright and full of kids that don’t understand her. She wiggles and taps, she doesn’t know the game rules and she eats lunch alone. She wishes the other kids were elephants – her favourite animal. Then they’d be able to whirl and twirl together and she’d fit in. 

 

This changes when her classmate, Oliver, invites Sophie to join in a game and she accepts his hand of friendship. Along with the help of her teacher, who allows Sophie to shine in the classroom by theming their activities on elephants, Sophie discovers she has a herd of new friends. 

 

The brightly coloured illustrations by Siobhan Skipworth, many of which have a backdrop of an African savannah, take us into Sophie’s mind to experience her rollercoaster of emotions. The story elements are brought together at the end by a striking image of different animals moulded together into the shape of an elephant and this delightful page made a deep impression on my daughter. 

 

Elephant in the Classroom is appropriate for K-2 children and is great for generating conversation with a child about how they themselves feel at school and/or the importance of being kind and inclusive to others.