Elmer and the Birthday Quake

March 15, 2013
When a birthday bash becomes a cliffhanger--literally--it's Super El to the rescue. Elmer, the patchwork elephant, is hanging out with his cousin Wilbur and some of the other animals when he hears a strange sound in the distance. Nearby, a neighboring herd of bright pink elephants is celebrating the 100th birthday of their oldest member, whose name, appropriately, is Old. The herd intends to stomp once for every year of Old's life. But the tribute causes a quake after only a few stomps, imperiling the isolated Old on a narrow pillar of rock. Rose, the littlest of the pink elephants, runs to Elmer and his friends for help. Sounds like a job for Super El, a small gray elephant in a bright yellow suit and red trunks with matching red mask. He happens to be listening and springs into action. (Luckily, he can fly.) Super El grabs Old by his wrinkled trunk and lifts him to safety just as the rock pillar collapses. The herd gives Super El its deepest thanks, and he gives Rose a thrilling ride in the air. McKee's patchwork pachyderm is just an extra in this colorful jungle yarn, but Elmer does get the last wise words. Fun for fans of elephants in general and Elmer in particular. (Picture book. 3-6)

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July 1, 2013
While stomping to celebrate the patriarch's one-hundredth birthday, a herd of pink elephants accidentally strands Old on a pillar of rock. Super El, Elmer's superhero friend, zooms to the rescue in the nick of time. The rich gouache pink elephants and familiar patchwork Elmer are cheery as always, but Elmer's fans may be disappointed with his tiny role in the slight story.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)