Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

I knew I was going to love this the moment I saw the cover. It has all the feels in both text and pictures.

A little boy and his pet elephant just don't quite fit in. No matter how they try, there doesn't seem to be a place for them in the city, with the other children, or in Pet Club. But maybe two good friends can make a place not only for themselves, but also for the others who don't fit in...

This had lovely language, but wasn't all fluff and poetry, there's a definite plot and some gently humorous moments as well. The quiet reflections on friendship are balanced by the flow of the story and the parade of delightful animals.

However, the pictures are my absolute favorites. I love the gently rounded elephant and the palette of greens and blues, the slightly weathered look of the art, and the tiny details, like the braids of the boy's new friend and the the glowing yellow leaves in the park.

So lovely. Deep satisfied sigh.

Verdict: An absolute must for your collection. Read it in storytime for fun and a gentle lesson on inclusion and friendship, enjoy it one on one, display it, recommend it.

ISBN: 9781481416474; Published 2015 by Simon and Schuster; Borrowed from another library in my consortium