THE LITTLEST ELEPHANT written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Lita Judge

I loved Ruby when she starred in Katherine Applegate’s novel book THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY. I love her just as much in this picture book warmly and sensitively illustrated by Lita Judge, THE LITTLEST ELEPHANT and told by Applegate, the author who knows Ruby best and who excels with perfect timing and emotional appeal in the picture book as she did in the novels. The story opens immediately with deep secrets, that she hates being youngest and also hates growing up, a fact celebrated by elephants in a Tuskday ceremony. For Ruby this celebration has painful memories, obliquely referred to, as her mother’s death came about from poachers who murdered her for her ivory tusks. It is filled with pithy philosophical moments as when Ruby reflects on the world that has “given me lots of gifts. But it’s given me sadness too.” And her loving, wise elephant aunties who surround her, saying “the darkness reminds us to love the light.” You can find a link to this book in the purchase button below.