cover image Elephants Never Jump: Story

Elephants Never Jump: Story

Violet Easton. Atlantic Monthly Press, $10.95 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-87113-049-5

This is one of the most charmingly silly books to come along in some time. The various animals in the story have a favorite pastime: making each other jump (by shouting BOOO!, popping up wearing strange masks and so on). But along comes an elephant who, he assures his neighbors, never jumps. The ways in which they try to disprove his assertionand the book's clever punchlinemake up a whimsical and funny story. Like the narrative, the illustrations are lively and a little offbeat. At times, however, young readers may be a bit confused about what is being depicted. Minor quibbles aside, this endearing storybook will entertain and delight its audience. (37st