Skip to main content

Review: Elbert in the Air

 

Elbert in the Air
Written by Monica Wesolowska
Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book.

Elbert was born to fly. Literally. Shortly after he was born, he began to float. Soon his mother had to stretch to reach him. Neighbors, friends, doctors, teachers, and librarians all had a different idea about how to keep him stuck to the ground. His mother knew, however, that he was born to soar and always encouraged him to be himself. As he grew, Elbert floated higher and higher so that eventually he had to be reached by ladder, but his mother kept insisting that if he was born to float, no one should force him to change who he is. Although Elbert felt alone and left out because he was different from the other kids, he eventually found a place where he belonged.

If you need a book to read to teach your kids about individuality and self-worth, Elbert in the Air is a great choice. It's also a good read-alike for parents who want something a little more advanced than Guess How Much I Love You and Love You Forever on the topic of unconditional love of a parent for their child. Although the subject matter could feel heavy, Jerome Pmphrey's cheery pastel illustrations draw in the reader and make for a book that soars (pun fully intended.)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The House with Nobody in It

  The House with Nobody in It By Jon Klassen Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2026. Board Book.  The House with Nobody in It may very well be your child's first ghost story. The simple story begins with the narrator explaining to readers that this house used to have someone in it, but there is now nobody there. Toddlers and preschoolers will love contradicting this statement as they peek through the house that the board book forms, as the ghost is clearly visible throughout the story.  This unique and imaginative board book is the perfect thing to read during Halloween season! The book itself plays into the experience, with cutouts and clever turns that make it especially interactive. The illustrations are superb, simple but well crafted, adding to the story's theme as a whole. This will likely be a book that gets many repeat reads!

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...

De la hora del cuento: La letra "E"

  Cuentos Mi perro solo hable español Por Andrea Cáceres Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023. Libro ilustrado. "Cuando Aurora llegó a los Estados Unidos, aprendió a hablar inglés, pero Nena, su spaniel, no. Por eso, cuando pasea a Nena, Aurora les explica a sus nuevos amigos que su mascota solo habla español ..." --Editor Cuentitos Colores Por Joel Sartore Washington, DC : National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2025. Libro ilustrado. "El National Geographic Photo Ark es una iniciativa plurianual para concienciar y encontrar soluciones a algunos de los problemas más urgentes que afectan a la vida silvestre y sus hábitats. El proyecto busca documentar todas las especies que viven en zoológicos y santuarios de vida silvestre del mundo, inspirar acciones a través de la educación y ayudar a salvar la vida silvestre apoyando iniciativas de conservación sobre el terreno." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "E" Papá Monstruo y el bosque de las emocion...