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Friday, March 12, 2010

Elephants Cannot Dance, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Hyperion, H B Fenn. $11.50 ages 3 and up


"I would love to learn how to dance.
But elephants cannot dance."

Did I mention that Piggie is determined? That nothing can deter her? That she won't take 'no' for an answer...or have I missed that part? Gerald encourages her to check out his inability to partake in dance in the manual called "What Elephants Can Do'. He may not be able to dance, but she sees nothing to suggest that he cannot try.

Did I tell you that Gerald is amenable? And, that he is willing to accommodate his friend's needs, no matter what it costs him? Piggie is entranced. She is ready with the instructions and he is ready to follow them. Try as he might, Elephant just cannot seem to get the hang of it all. Exasperated and exhausted, he finally succumbs to defeat...just in time for two enchanted squirrels to request dance lessons themselves...from Gerald! They want to learn how to do The Elephant. Off they go!

Again the expressions and the conversation will have readers hooting and hollering and begging for more. What a great way to get talk started about dance, varied interests and differing abilities!

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