Wilma, the Elephant

Wilma is a baby elephant who is so tiny that when she falls asleep in the grasses, her parents can't see her. They are desperate to find her, but the herd is moving on, and they give up. Wilma wakes up, too young to know what's wrong, aware that something is missing. She tries to find friendship with a honey fly and a snail, and then joins a frog-and-grasshopper musical band. When she grows too big for them, Wilma sets off alone, finally meeting a turtle, who takes her across the river. There Wilma meets Mr. and Mrs. River-Pig, who don't have children. Wilma instantly feels at home, and the river-pigs decide not to tell her that she is an elephant until later. On one level, this story may alarm children by implying that someday, while they're asleep, their parents might leave; on another, this is a warm, intelligent story about identity and the need to belong and feel loved. A pleasant tale, accompanied by whimsical watercolors. (4-8)