Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!
As I’ve been under the weather for more than a week, I’m totally cheating and sharing a book I’ve shared before because I don’t want to miss another PPBF. (My sincere apologies for missing last week!) Also, I think this book with its storyline of working together to save something precious is a good one as our new administration rolls up its sleeves and prepares to do the same thing. 😊
I hope you’ll like this book as much as I do 😊
Title: Ellie
Written & Illustrated By: Mike Wu
Disney-Hyperion, May 2015, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-5
Themes/Topics: art, helping others, finding your own talents, animals (elephants)
Opening: “On a bright winter day, when Ellie was just finishing her lunch, the zookeeper came by with an announcement.
“Gather ’round!” Walt called. “I have some news.
“It is a sad day,” he said. “The zoo is closing.”“
Brief Synopsis: The animals are heartbroken when they find out their zoo is closing. They wonder if there’s any way they can help prevent it. Perhaps they can spruce the place up? Lucy the giraffe prunes the trees. Gerard the gorilla tidies the path. But Ellie the baby elephant isn’t tall enough to prune trees or strong enough to move rocks. Is there anything she can do to save her beloved home?
Links To Resources: YouTube video of real elephants who paint; fun facts about elephants; elephants work together to problem solve (videos) – help baby cross road, save baby stuck in the mud; preschool elephant activities and crafts
Why I Like This Book: This is a sweet story about friendly animals pitching in to try to save their home. Ellie wants so much to help, but at first she doesn’t think she has any skills that will serve. Quite by accident, she discovers a talent that will not only help, but be the driving force behind saving the zoo, and the story comes to a satisfying ending. The art is gorgeous and so appealing, starting off in soft greens and grays and becoming brighter and bolder as Ellie’s talent develops and her self-confidence grows. And Ellie is such an endearing character she’s hard to resist 🙂 The story is loosely based on a relatively recent headline about elephants who paint, so has some grounding in fact 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see your delightful picks for this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone, and stay well!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, So sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. Hope you get better fast. I love ELLIE! Great pick for this #PPBF. Here’s a lot more cooperation. Hugs!
Thanks, Maria ❤️ Alas, in spite of every precaution, covid got me. But I’m luckier than many and hoping to be on the mend soon. So glad you also love Ellie!
Oh my goodness – so sorry, Susanna! Hope you recover quickly.
Thanks, Melanie!
Feel better Susanna! Love Ellie, and think this is a wonderful choice to start the new era!
Thanks, Patricia ❤️ I think I live the most isolated, careful life possible, but covid still got me. Still, I’m so much better off than many who get it, so I’m grateful for that and hoping to be mending soon. I’m glad you love Ellie too!
So sorry to hear you are under the weather. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Ann ________________________________
Thanks, Ann ❤️
Something to add to the list of things you have in common with Tom Hanks, I suppose? I’m so sorry that it snuck past all your preventative defenses! That’s maddening. I hope you have a swift recovery and thank you for taking the time to share another wonderful story with us!
Now see, there’s a bright side I didn’t even think of, Nicole 😊 I have something in common with Tom Hanks!
Susanna, I hope you’re on the mend. It’s been a roller coaster of a week here too.
I hope you guys are all okay!!!
Thanks! 🤗
Sending you well wishes Susanna!
Picture books a;ways make me feel better. (hug)
I love this book, Susanna, and it is a perfect reminder of the wonderful things that can be accomplished when we work together. Hope you continue to heal!
Hope you feel better! I love elephants and enjoyed your sharing Ellie today! And I loved watching the video of the elephants painting a self-portrait! Love the theme of the animals working together!
Ellie is so adorable! Hope you feel better soon!
Sending hugs and healing thoughts, dear Susanna. And it’s wonderful to revisit past favs. Carrie Finison (DON’T HUG DOUG) and I were just chatting online about the challenge of launching books at this point in time and she reminded me of something Kirsten Larson (A TRUE WONDER: THE COMIC BOOK HERO WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING) said – that books have a long life and will be enjoyed (and promoted) for many years to come.
Feel better, Susanna! I haven’t posted in ages. I have bought a few new titles, but it’s hard to keep up with the library closed for browsing. Perhaps I can get my act together for next week.
I sure hope you’re feeling better and believe you will soon will all the well wishes coming your way! Ellie is SO cute!
Sorry, had to upload There Must Be More Than That! again with the correct link. Thanks to Maria for alerting me!
I knew it had to be something significant to keep you away from PPBF! I’m sorry you were hit with this nasty bug, and am glad you’re on the mend. I love revisiting older books, and I think it helps add to a book’s life, as Vivian was alluding to. And this one is so sweet. Who doesn’t love a book with elephants? Ellie has such charisma!
Get to feeling better, my friend; LOVE your retro pick! So charming. Happy new year, Susanna!
So sorry to hear you’re not feeling well Susanna. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. Ellie looks like the perfect book, and sweet character, to make anyone feel a little better.