Stead, Philip C. Special Delivery. Matthew Cordell, Illus. Picture Book. Roaring Brook, 03/2015. 36p. $17.99. 978-1-59643-931-3. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-1.
In this whimsical tale, a young girl named Sadie uses various outlandish transportation methods to deliver an elephant to her “Great-Aunt Josephine, who lives almost completely alone and could really use the company.” Beginning with a visit to the post office and ending with an ice cream truck, Sadie and the elephant encounter an airplane that is low on fuel, an alligator, a train, and a group of bean-eating bandit monkeys during their travels. Watercolor washes with ink line drawings ramp up the humor and are reminiscent of Quentin Blake. The use of sounds in the illustrations brings additional fun and makes this a great read-aloud story. The many humorous details as well as the expressiveness of the elephant in the illustrations will guarantee repeated readings.
Helen Bloch, Oakland PL