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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Big Elephant in the Room, written and illustrated by Lane Smith. Hyperion. Hachette, 2009. $21.99 ages 8 and up


"Is THE BIG ELEPHANT about Tuesday? When I said your clothes were 'interesting"? That was a compliment! You're super stylish! In, you know, an interesting way. "

The 'big elephant in the room' is described as an idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored or is not addressed. It can also be applied to an obvious problem no one wants to discuss.

So, when one donkey wonders if he and his friend might talk about the big elephant in the room, it sets the other on a journey of guilt and despair over what he has done to create the problem. Can it be that he ate all the crunchy nut ice cream? Well, he had good reason. Is it that he left his friend to deal with a bully all alone? What can the reason be and why is there an elephant in the room? Through clever wordplay and equally clever artwork, Lane Smith creates a story that will have readers come to understand the whole notion of the idiom and how it is used in conversation. And they will engage in the humor that is so evident in this tale of misunderstanding and mayhem. The events described are great fun, and the surprise ending will have them begging for more.

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