Lucas, Angie. My Big Embarrassing Elephant. Pierre Collet-Derby, Illus. Marble, 09/2023. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-958325-02-5. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this clever picture book from Berkeley publisher Marble Press, Maya describes the elephant who is creating havoc in her house. He wears a diaper that stinks, makes messes and is noisy, and is an embarrassment to the neighbors. It could be a metaphor for a new infant in the house, and adults can help children learn the meaning of the phrase “elephant in the room,” since the family won’t talk about him. There is a nice resolution when a new girl visits and brings her own elephant to demonstrate that all families have challenges, making this useful for social and emotional learning. The dynamic cartoon illustrations add humor and temper to what could be a serious story, using soft pastel colors and black outlines, and showing the family with blue faces and black hair.
Penny Peck—SJSU iSchool