Product Description

When one donkey tells his friend that they need to talk about "the big elephant in the room," his friend wonders what this embarrassing issue could possibly be.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #319795 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-07
• Released on: 2009-07-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781423116677
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4—Two delightfully childlike donkeys star in this laugh-out-loud opus from the master of kid-companionable humor. When one friend says, "Can we talk about the big elephant in the room?" his buddy assumes that he's using a figure of speech to refer to an embarrassing incident ("'The Big Elephant? As in 'the BIG problem?'"). What follows is a stream of uproariously funny confessions and overwrought explanations, as the guilty friend tries to deduce just which indignity he should apologize for. Was it because he ate all the dessert? ("But what if you had a nut allergy, what then?...Yes! I forced down that creamy, nutty, crunch ice cream…to save your life!") Because he picked his pal last for soccer? ("…and baseball? and volleyball? and tiddlywinks?") Because he told Haley about the time "…you laughed so hard you peed your pants?" The list continues until the anticipated punch line: there really is a big elephant in the room (and he's eating crunchy-nut ice cream). Done in muted tones, the droll artwork tells much of the story through lively layouts and funny details. With the roll of an eye or the flick of an ear, the animals convey a range of emotions. In keeping with their characters, the questioner is identifiable by his large glasses and mustard-colored polka-dotted bowtie, while his smooth-talking chum sports a trendier look. A variety of text fonts and sizes adds to the fun. Kids will get a kick out of this book (while also learning about idioms).—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal END

Customer Reviews

The Elephant in the Room
Smith, L. (2009). The Big Elephant in the Room. New York: Hyperion.

9781423116677

With Smith's usual quirky sense of humor, a young donkey is told by his friend that they need to discuss the big elephant in the room. The donkey then makes an *ahem* posterior *ahem* of himself by listing all of the things he did to embarrass or hurt his friend.

In The Big Elephant in the Room, Smith's artwork is up to his usual standard with subtle jokes incorporated into the details of some of the illustrations. The fact that all of the children are represented by animals (as is often the case in Smith's illustrations) does call into question whether it will be metaphorical or literal elephants from the beginning. Nonetheless, even if a reader knows where the story goes, watching the donkey pull his hoof deeper and deeper into his mouth is still amusing.


Activities:

A teacher could begin by discussing the meaning of the phrase "the elephant in the room." From there, a teacher could ask students to reflect on whether they ever remained silent about a big issue or problem when people they could talk about it with are present.

To go a lighter route, students can make guesses over what they think the big elephant in the room could be.

A fun read, a teacher could also briefly discuss the humor in misinterpretation and the difficulty of language and meaning, and the literal and metaphorical. Chances are good, that teacher will just get some blank stares. But that's always fun.


Quotes of Note:

"Can we talk about the big elephant in the room?"

"Yes! I forced down that creamy, nutty, crunchy ice cream...to save your life!"

"Is THE BIG ELEPHANT your video game? I was going to return that! Eventually."

"Is THE GIB ELEPHANT that I told Haley you laughed so hard you peed your pants?"

Your kid needs to meet this book
Lane Smith must be a hoot to hang out with. His books are always funny and sweet...and a little twisted. Kids love them. Kids recognize the original spirit behind the words and illustrations. Smith reminds me of another favorite author of mine, Vivian Walsh, and her book "Olive the Other Reindeer."

delightful

This amusing story is a great way to explain the meaning of a common expression. One donkey asks another, "Can we talk about the big elephant in the room?" His friend immediately launches into a defensive mode, naming all the possible things he might have done wrong. The delightful conclusion will have kids rolling on the floor with hearty giggles. The comical illustrations are perfect reflections of the text.