How Elegant the Elephant

A rollicking collection of poems about the enchanting world of animals and insects, from former children's poet laureate and New York Times bestselling author Mary Ann Hoberman and Caldecott Honoree illustrator Marla Frazee.

So many kinds of animals

So many shapes and sizes

So many funny spots and dots

So many strange disguises

With her signature wordplay and wit, former children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman celebrates the magnificence, ingenuity, and quirky qualities of creatures big and small. This thoughtfully crafted collection features sixty of Mary Ann's personal favorite poems curated from her sixty-five-year body of work, as well as eight new poems.

From a fine fat pig and backward running porcupines to a beastly card game and a yoga class for agile animals, this memorable menagerie is cunningly brought to life by three-time Caldecott Honoree Marla Frazee, in an imaginary world where the characters meet and tell an entertaining tale all their own.

A tour de force collection of poems and pictures by two legendary talents, this book creates a world that readers will never want to leave.

• "Hoberman's skipping, dancing scansion longs to be read aloud, and her often brief line lengths should help newer readers feel confident doing so.... Frazee's pencil and watercolor illustrations add elements of whimsy, and her stories are pitched perfectly to play with the text. The joy of wordplay, rhyme, and rhythm shine in every entry, ready to usher children into the magic and possible humor of the poetic form."--Shelf Awareness, starred review
  A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
  An Amazon Book of the Month for Ages 6-8
  "How Elegant the Elephant is a guaranteed instant classic. With engaging illustrations and whimsical poems about animals, this collection is the perfect gift." --Jessica Nock, Main Street Books (Davidson, NC)
  
  "A great wonderful book as an introduction and inspiration into poetry and the animal kingdom, sure to be a hit and classic for years to come." --Nicole Miller, Mayuba Bookstores Inc (Chicago, IL)

  "So much fun to read aloud while examining the detailed adorable pictures." --Kate, Little City Books (Hoboken, NJ)

  "What a dream come true to have these two bookstore celebrities come together again to create another masterpiece. I'm not sure there was ever a more perfect pairing of whimsical writing and illustrations. Destined to be a treasured classic." --Aslee Null, Vroman's Bookstore (Pasadena, CA)

  "This is a sterling example of how text and art merge magnificently together to create a memorable, first rate and a new standard in poetry collections.... A poetry book for the ages!" --Maureen, Once Upon a Time (Montrose, CA)

  
  "The book's gracious introduction includes reflections on [Hoberman​'s] approach to writing poetry as well as advice to children on how to make a beloved poem your own.... Frazee's lively illustrations, created with pencil and watercolors, capture the tone of the verse and amplify its humor for young children."--Booklist
  "Many of Hoberman's poems adeptly incorporate scientific facts.... A labor of love, both a fitting tribute to its poet creator and a grand reimagining, thanks to incredible artistic skills."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
  "This collection celebrates the acclaimed poet's lifelong love of animals and bugs.... The artwork simultaneously complements each poem and engages observant readers in amusing subplots set in various locales in and around the hotel.... A playful addition to larger poetry collections."--School Library Journal
  Praise for Away With Words:

  A Bank Street College Best Children's Book

  
  Praise for Forget-Me-Nots:

  "A multidimensional and thoughtful cross section of verse with keepers on nearly every page." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

  * "A treasure trove of the familiar and the fresh.... A wonderful gift book for poetry lovers, but even children who have never considered learning a poem by heart will find much to love here." --The Horn Book, starred review

  
  Praise for You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together:

  "Hoberman is really the master of unforced rhyme...and Emberley's pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are as consistently spry as the poems." --The Horn Book

Mary Ann Hoberman (1930-2023) was a New York Times bestselling author, former children's poet laureate, and winner of the National Book Award who wrote more than fifty books. How Elegant the Elephant reflects three of Mary Ann's lifelong passions: a love of animals, respect for the natural world, and the joy of wordplay. Her many notable works include the classic picture book A House Is a House for Me; the poetry collections Away with Words!, Forget-Me-Nots, and The Llama Who Had No Pajama; and the You Read to Me, I'll Read to You series. For more information about Mary Ann and her work, you may visit maryannhoberman.com.

Marla Frazee has written and illustrated many acclaimed books for children, including the Caldecott Honor Books In Every Life, All the World (written by Liz Garton Scanlon), and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever. Her picture book The Boss Baby is the inspiration for two DreamWorks animated feature films and a TV series. She's thrilled to be illustrating another book by Mary Ann Hoberman after their collaboration on The Seven Silly Eaters, a book that has delighted many families over the years. Marla has three grown sons, two grandsons, a Little Free Library in her front yard, and a studio under an avocado tree in her backyard in Pasadena, California. She invites you to visit her at marlafrazee.com.

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