Oliver Elephant

Spirits are high when Mommy, Noah, and Evie-May Brown, snug in her stroller, zip through town toward the “Christmassy shop at the end of the row” to complete their holiday gift buying. As Mommy leads the way through the department store, ticking purchased items off her list, Noah and his stuffed pal Oliver Elephant share adventures nearby. A welcome snack stop brings the jolly outing to a screeching halt when Noah realizes—post–chocolate cake—that Oliver has gone missing. Luckily, Evie-May sweetly saves the day. Stephens (the How to Hide a Lion series) skillfully changes perspective in paintings that feature loose ink lines and splashes of color as she alternates crowds of shoppers with more intimate spot illustrations of Noah and Oliver. The well-crafted family tale by Peacock (Toby and the Tricky Things) captures holiday bustle while celebrating a child’s devotion to a favorite toy companion. Ages 2–5. [em](Sept.) [/em]