Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk - ADVISABLE

Phumiruk, Dow Mela and the Elephant, illustrated by ZiyueChen.  PICTURE BOOK.  Sleeping Bear, 2018.  $17.  9781585369980.

When Mela leaves on an adventure, she leaves behind her little brother because he has nothing to offer her.  While her adventure starts out great, she eventually gets lost and needs help.  The jungle animals take advantage of her, though and she has nothing to offer when kindness finally arrives.  Mela learns a valuable lesson about being kind because kindness brings its own reward.

Phumiruk’s story cuts to the heart of kindness in a way that children of all ages will be able to recognize.  With a little discussion the lesson will hit home.  I can’t mark this as essential, though because while the illustrations are sweet, they are also flat.

Pre- K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher