Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #983190 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-01
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781842705797
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Two bands of elephants, one black and one white, "loved all creatures, but they hated each other." Each group keeps to its own side of the jungle, until a war breaks out between them, and the peace-loving elephants from both sides take cover in the jungle. After a bitter battle, all the elephants lay dead; no elephants are seen for many years. One day the descendants of the peace-lovers emerge: "They were grey." The book ends on an ironic note as members of the new grey breed notice that they fall into two groups once again, each with differently shaped ears. The stylized renderings of the elephants and their environs make this straightforward book about prejudice easier to digest in an allegorical sense; the story becomes both accessible and illuminating. In clear, bold illustrations that celebrate shape and color, McKee incorporates several witty touches: the elephants' trunks become weapons, the "darkest jungle" is portrayed as a giant maze. Although the book stands on its own merit, it might also offer an excellent point of departure for discussion between parent and child. Ages 5-10.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
David McKee’s first book was published in 1964. He is the creator of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, as well as both Mr Benn and King Rollo. His books are now published in many languages throughout the world, and many of them have been adapted for television. He is one of the leading contemporary children's book creators.


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews

Suprise ending-does conflict ever go away?
This book has a suprise ending. It is excellent in using with children to show them that if we look hard enough we can always find something to start a conflict about. The point being-most of what we find is petty

Avoid Intolerance & Embrace Diversity
For ages 4-8.
Black elephants, white elephants, they don't like each other elephants. The peace-loving elephants of both packs hide in the jungle to avoid the growing tension. The black and white elephants battle one another until the death. None survive and the world and nature carry on without them...until one day, out of the jungle appear gray elephants. They lived together peacefully, but after a while, some rumblings were heard about little and small ear differences. The reader is left to predict the possibilities.

From David McKee's story, children can learn indirectly about the circular history of arrogance and racism. Children are confronted with the reality of persecution and how intolerance has repeated itself throughout history with no good ending. Children may be led to appreciate that they are responsible for acting with tolerance toward different peoples and should be led to embrace diversity.