Book Review: A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes
As a busy mom of two (who sometimes feels like a ringmaster in a circus), I cherish those quiet evening moments when the chaos settles and we gather for storytime. Recently, I stumbled across Kevin Henkes’s delightful board book, A Parade of Elephants, and it quickly earned a spot in our nightly rotation. Let me tell you, it’s like a gentle hug wrapped in a story.
The book follows the adventures of five big, colorful elephants as they march from dawn to dusk. This parade of plump pachyderms takes little readers on a whimsical journey packed with delightful rhythms and repetition. I could feel the excitement radiating from my toddler, who gleefully pointed as we counted the elephants together. Their eager little fingers couldn’t help but trace the paths the elephants went up and down, over and under, through and around—it felt like a mini-adventure right from our living room.
What truly captivated my kids was not just the simple yet engaging plot but the illustrations. Henkes’s artwork is bursting with pastel colors, making each page an eye-catching treat. My four-year-old, who is in that glorious stage of learning about colors and shapes, was drawn to the elephants, exclaiming, “Look, Mommy! That one’s wearing a purple hat!” (It was actually just a lovely purple sky, but hey, it sparked her imagination.) Seeing her creativity come alive during our reading was priceless.
The text is perfect for little ears with its rhythmic style that almost sings along with the march of the elephants. “Up and down, over and under,” became our favorite phrase and even sparked a dance-off in the middle of our reading, with my kids mimicking the elephants’ parade. It’s moments like these that remind me of the joy of shared stories, laughter, and the delightful spontaneity of childhood.
One particularly sweet moment happened when my youngest, a budding elephant enthusiast, squealed with glee at the sight of the baby elephant among the adults. Her genuine excitement was contagious, and I found myself melted at how this book managed to stitch joy and learning together so beautifully. I couldn’t help but read it again, more slowly this time, allowing her to soak it all in.
So, who would I recommend A Parade of Elephants to? It’s suited for children aged 1 to 4, perfect for those little ones who are teetering on the edge of curiosity and motor skills. It’s also ideal for parents who want to share a little rhythm and movement with their kids during storytime—and let’s be real, what parent doesn’t enjoy a good chance to dance with their kiddos?
In a world that sometimes feels too busy, this book is a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the playful chaos of little elephants—and our little ones—marching through life together. Whether it’s a bedtime read or part of your daytime routine, this heartwarming tale is sure to become a family treasure, just as it has in ours.
Happy reading! 🐘❤️
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