My Elephant is Blue

Introducing “Blue” the great big elephant that appeared one morning sitting right on top of a child’s chest. No matter how she tried to move Blue, she couldn’t. No matter who helped, Blue was staying. Is she stuck with Blue forever? How do you move Blue on?

This story is allows the reader to explore emotions of depression or feeling low. It introduces the feeling through a giant loveable blue elephant and it offers all the typical remedies before really opening up to positive changes that help the girl lift her burden. The characters demonstrate empathy and kindness and they never give up.

Although quite a simple text with basic illustrations My Elephant is Blue is a valuable story on many levels. It is a lovely shared book but it teaches so much about emotions such as empathy, kindness and resilience that it is a great teaching opportunity as well.

I recommend including this story in your library to support students’ emotional growth and encourage discussions around depression.

Title: My Elephant is Blue

Author:Melinda Szymanik

Illustrator:Vasanti Unka

Publisher: Penguin Random House

ISBN: 9780143775645

RRP: $19.99

Format: Paperback

Publication: 11 May 2021

Ages: 4 – 10 years

Reviewer: Elaine Wills, Library manager, Enner Glynn School, Nelson

How are you recommending this book? Highly recommend

Opening sentence: One morning I woke up to find an elephant sitting on my chest.

You can buy this book here