Cool Book: Little Elliot, BIG CITY by Mike Curato

Little Elliot, BIG CITY
Story and Pictures by Mike Curato

Elliot is different, too--a tiny white elephant with pink and blue polka dots, living alone in a New York apartment. He has to jump into the sink to wash his dishes and be very careful he doesn’t get stepped on in the busy streets. He badly wants a cupcake from the Speranza Bakery (Est. 1905), but he’s much too short to be noticed. When he walks sadly through Central Park and meets someone in distress who’s “even littler than himself,” Elliot offers to help--leading to a delightful story and a delicious cupcake. Curato’s cool 1940s illustrations include a towering Flatiron Building, a sign advertising Pie A La Mode for 10 cents, and a crowded subway stop where everyone wears a hat. Peek through Elliot’s window later that night with the lighted Manhattan Bridge and looming skyscrapers for background. What could be better than a pink-iced cupcake?  “A friend to share it with!”
2014, Ages 4 to 8

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

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