The Boy and the Elephant - by Freya Blackwood (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this wordless picture book, a boy cherishes an overgrown piece of land where he befriends an imagined elephant formed by the trees. When builders arrive to clear the space, he must devise a plan to save his cherished friend.

Book Synopsis

From an award-winning illustrator comes a tender, magical, and gorgeously rendered wordless picture book about a boy who saves the trees in the lot next door from being cut down.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of the city is an overgrown piece of land where trees and wildlife thrive. A boy, who lives in a house on the lot next to it, loves to visit. He has a friend there: an elephant, an animal that he sees within the shapes of the trees. No matter the weather, the boy visits. And as the seasons change so does the elephant; thick green foliage changes to autumnal colors before the bare branches of harsh winter appear. But one day, builders arrive. The land has been sold, and the trees have been marked for removal. The boy can't lose his elephant, and so he comes up with a plan.

Unbearably beautiful and moving, and with a touch of magical realism, here is a wordless picture book about conservation and children's ability to be powerful agents of change.

Review Quotes

"Well-mapped-out scenes lend themselves to the visual equivalent of an exploratory walk around the neighborhood and the main plot points are easily discerned." --The New York Times

★ "[A] quiet tale of triumph over destruction." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Charming and entirely gratifying. The Boy and the Elephant will be loved by readers of all ages who appreciate the power of the imagination." --Booklist, starred review

★ "This story is a gem of child agency and power." --The Horn Book, starred review

"Blackwood's wistful pencil and oil paint illustrations....infuse this quiet wordless tale with emotion about the all-too-common feelings of loneliness many experience in big cities. A contemplative look at finding your place in a busy world." --Kirkus Reviews

"Aspiring young activists will treasure this poignant book, making it a wonderful addition to an Earth Day collection and encouraging them to look closely at the beauty the world has to offer." --The Bulletin

About the Author

Freya Blackwood fell in love with illustrating books as a child while growing up in New South Wales, Australia. She is the illustrator of many acclaimed picture books published throughout the world, including My Two Blankets, Baby Day, and Harry and Hopper for which she won the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in New South Wales with her daughter.