Children's Book Review: THE ELEPHANT by Peter Carnavas

The Elephant

by Peter Carnavas

Published by University of Queensland Press

July 3, 2017

180 pages

Plot: Olive’s father has a sadness so big that she imagines it as a large grey elephant following him around. With the help of her cheery grandfather and her best friend, Arthur, Olive sets out to chase away her father’s elephant. (2019, Goodreads.com)

Review: In The Elephant by Peter Carnavas, we follow Olive on her mission to get rid of her father's grey elephant.  It is an imaginary elephant that only Olive sees, but it is a clear represention of her father's grief and depression from the loss of his wife.  Olive may not understand her father's lack of interest in everything, including her, but she is determined to get rid of the elephant that follows him around like a dark cloud. Over time, Olive begins to see how her father's feelings and the elephant are tied together, and with the help of her grandfather, she finally figures out a way to save her dad.  

Carnavas does an excellent job of giving the reader the perspective of a child and how children are affected by the attitudes and emotions of adults. A beautiful and heartfelt story about depression, the grief of losing those we love, and the effects on those left behind. Recommended for ages 7 and up!

*A DRC was given for an honest review.

Rating: 5 Hearts!
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