Elephants Make Fine Friends
Colter Jackson’s debut picture book is a heartfelt delight.
Ella and her elephant were the best of friends. But when Ella begins to notice the differences between herself and an elephant, she wonders: is this really my best friend? Are we too different?
It takes a lot of lonely nights and some introspection but Ella eventually realizes the core message of this book. Life is better with an elephant than without one. That is to say, friends make our lives so much better that it is foolish to cast one aside because they are different. With that in mind Ella sets out to restore her friendship and find her elephant.
Elephants Make Fine Friends is part of the Penguin Core Concepts series designed to help children engage with twenty subjects ranging from sharing to self-esteem, science, and the senses.
Jackson’s book is billed as one that opens the door to conversations on friendship and appreciating differences. In that regard it is a complete success. Ample opportunities abound to start discussions with little-ones about why we should accept others, despite our differences.
While the story certainly drives potential discussions, it’s Jackson’s artwork that sets Ella and her elephant apart from the herd. Jackson’s watercolor illustrations are vibrant, emotive, alive on the page and full of emotion. The expressiveness of Ella’s elephant will resonate with any child who spends time with this book.
The eyes of Jackson’s pachyderm are particularly well done. As they saying goes, eyes are the window to soul, and this elephant’s soul is on display from page to page.
While the artwork is wonderful, it’s also the source of my only quibble with Elephants Make Fine Friends. The book has a few inconsistencies which won’t damage a young reader’s experience but nevertheless could have been improved. There’s a moment when Ella approaches a group of elephants standing on a dirt road near a tent. Turn the page and they’re standing near a fence in the grass. Turn the page again and the tent is back but the fence and dirt road are still gone.
This book’s flaws are few and shouldn’t deter anyone from reading about Ella and her behemoth best friend. Jackson’s book isn’t perfect. It is an engaging and beautifully crafted children’s book, that can help parents and teachers start important conversations about differences, friendship, and accepting others for who they are. That makes Ella and her elephant fine companions indeed.
We Read Together gives Elephants Make Fine Friends four empathetic elephants (out of five).
If you’re interested in learning more about Colter Jackson or ordering her book visit her at her website.