Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959114 £12.99
Wow! This book is really a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears. At first I thought it was the vibrant illustrations, the stunning colours, the attention to detail and fascinating use of sunlight to highlight the pages which was the true magic of the book. But actually, the text does for the ears what the illustrations do for the eyes. Rich language, full of the sounds of the rainforest, uses onomatopoeia to create a sensory overload for the reader of this tale of a young elephant’s brush with danger and the love and protection of his mother and the herd. I am sure the first reading will be at pace to find out if the little elephant can outrun his predator, but it is a book worth returning to, lingering over the illustrations, firstly for their beauty and, secondly, to spot the 35 rainforest creatures that are lurking in the forest foliage waiting to be found and identified. A handy guide is included at the back, so it makes an ideal first educational dip into the animal life of the rainforest. This is a book that can be enjoyed on many levels so would be a super book for all primary aged children.
Jane Macleod, Primary Teacher, Fairfield Primary, Penarth
