Genre
Humorous stories
Picture books for children
Tone
Feel-good
Sweet
Illustration
Muted
Subject
Animals
Bears
Love
Rabbits
Secret admirers

This book originally published on The Children's Book and Media Review
It has been raining for days and Elmer, the patchwork elephant, is tired of being stuck inside a cave with the rest of his herd. Many animals suggest to him that he should come inside their caves because of the rain, but Elmer still wants to go for a walk. The jungle is partly flooded, but the crocodiles are excited to swim in new places and the ducks are enjoying the weather. Elmer learns that Young Elephant is missing, so he goes to rescue Young, who is stuck on an island. Elmer gets all of the other elephants to help rescue Young. When the elephants trap him on the island as a joke, Elmer is just happy to finally have some peace and quiet.

Although stories about Elmer the patchwork elephant have been around for decades and delighted readers of all ages, this one falls a bit flat. Elmer is kind to other animals during the story, but the joke played on him by the other elephants after he uses his time and ingenuity to help Young Elephant is mean and sad. Readers can learn to take things well when people do things that could hurt our feelings, but the issue of bullying is ignored because Elmer handles it so well. Long-time Elmer fans will probably still enjoy the book, but overall it is forgettable and doesn’t handle the issue of bullying well. ( )

Genre: Informational
Summary: This book is about what a bear finds on his walk around the woods.

OMG... sooo sweet.  And simple, too.  And pretty, too.  Totally not what I'd expect from Daniel Pinkwater.  Otoh, though this is a theme (unlikely friendships that start with shy gifting) that has been done nearly to death, Pinkwater and Hillenbrand make it worth reading about one more time. ( )

Bear finds food from an anonymous giver, enjoys and sings about them, gives treats in return, until finally the two creatures meet up and become friends. Nicely, gently illustrated and told. The dedications at the end of the book reference the story. ( )