"It’s a gorgeous vision of summer in the city, as well as of small steps with big payoffs." —Publishers Weekly, starred review on Little Elliot, Big Fun
"A bravura celebration of the healing effects of acceptance and friendship." —Booklist, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Fun
"This beautifully designed title is perfect for units on friendship, New York, or summer vacations. Sure to be a hit at a Big Fun storytime." —School Library Journal, on Little Elliot, Big Fun
“Young children will easily relate to Elliot's experience of loneliness and his relief at inclusion, both convincingly captured in this elegant tale.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Family
“Curato fleshes out Little Elliot's personality in this installment - there are glimmers of a character with real depth beneath his cutie-pie visage - while continuing to come up with wonderful, Hopperesque images of a bygone New York.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Family
“* [Curato is] a terrific emerging talent, with gorgeously rendered images that bring to mind the moodiness of Chris Van Allsburg and the sweetness of William Joyce.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review on Little Elliot, Big City
“* Curato, a debut author and illustrator, tucks several gentle messages into one simple story that's perfect for the age group. . . . Happily, expect to see more of him.” —Booklist, starred review on Little Elliot, Big City
“A tiny, spotted elephant tackles the challenges of city life. . . . The simple story is told in 17 short sentences that allow Curato's magnificent 1940s-style illustrations to carry the tale.” —School Library Journal on Little Elliot, Big City
2016-06-01
The third book featuring Little Elliot, a polka-dot elephant, and Mouse brings them to Coney Island.Little Elliot and Mouse take the train to Coney Island, where Mouse assures Elliot that he will have a great time. Visual details such as the fashions on the racially diverse crowds—most especially the black enlisted sailor's dress whites—point to a time period of late 1930s to early 1940s, a feeling that is enhanced by Curato's lush illustrations in a color palette that recalls the postcards of that era. Having arrived at Coney Island, Elliot is, alas, not having a good time. He is frightened by the rides, a sea gull steals his ice cream, and the clown scares him. When Mouse suggests the Ferris wheel, Elliot climbs on with trepidation. But when, in a dramatic horizontal double-gatefold spread, he sees the whole wonderful panorama of the park, he begins to enjoy himself. At dusk, Elliot asks Mouse what his favorite part of the day was, and Mouse replies, "being with you," a sentiment echoed by Elliot. The story ends on this tidy, rather bland note, but adults reading aloud may privately muse about the poignancy of a story of friendship perched on the edge of World War II, and this adds a pleasing nuance. Gorgeous illustrations and an evocative time period support a somewhat staid story. (Picture book. 4-6)
