Engelbert the Elephant

by Tom Paxton, Steven Kellogg (Illustrator)

An elephant's dancing skills and good manners surprise everyone at the royal ball, including the queen.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Royalty

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engelbert is accidentally invited to the Royal Ball, and ends up stealing the show. That's basically it, as far as plot goes. Steven Kellogg's artwork is really the only reason to pick this up.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice rhyming book that covers the topic of inclusion in a fun way!

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd, but that's probably because I have issues with stories where animals suddenly start to act like people for no apparent reason and nobody thinks this is peculiar. The illustrations were also not my cup of tea. Nothing bad here, really, just not my thing.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story; cuter illustrations. The story seems to be set in the 18th century, based on costumes and hairdos; but Engelbert is wearing one roller skate and one athletic shoe--very 20th century!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bored Queen announces a dance and proceeds to invite all of the truly important people in the kingdom . The royal mice decide that one more guest should be invited, Engelbert the elephant. They write the invitation, hide it amongst the rest, and follow the royal messengers while they deliver it. The jungle is agog with excitement. They help Engelbert find just the right clothes and teach him to dance. When Engelbert enters the city, the townspeople run for their lives. At the palace, the royal guards stop him at sword point and challenge his right to be there. Then he shows them his invitation. That's all the proof they need to escort him the royal hall. The guests panic and upset the banquet in their haste to leave. Then the Queen orders them to stop. She smiles as Engelbert, and he bows to her. The band begins to play, and Engelbert begins to dance. He dances the rest of the night with all of the women and the men. After dinner, the Queen chooses Engelbert for her final dance partner. At the end of the royal ball, the guests escort Engelbert back to the jungle where they dance and frolic until morning.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. The kids weren't all that into Englebert the Elephant, which doesn't surprise me. I keep trying these books with rhyming text on them, and they almost never seem to like those kind of stories. I know that, so I'm not sure why I keep checking out rhyming books! Crazy old aunt.

I thought this story was cute, my niece liked Englebert's name, and my nephew could not have cared less about any of it. I think that this would be a very enjoyable story to the right kid, perhaps to a little girl(?) who loves royal balls and stories about kings, queens, princes, princesses, and animals. :-)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To relieve her royal boredom, the Queen announced a dance."

Through a small oversight, Englebert the Elephant was invited to the ball. There is much excitement and hullabaloo and at first they won't let him in. But when he shows his invitation, he is escorted in. And even has a dance with the Queen.

Beautiful illustrations!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

What will the Queen do? She never dreamed of putting an elephant on the palace ball's guest list, but some mischievous mice arranged for Engelbert to receive a surprise invitation. Soon the entire jungle is on the edge of their seats as Engelbert practices his minuet. Great read aloud for k-3rd.

[Savannah]

A cute story about an elephant leaving the jungle to go to a ball at the palace. Good entertainment and includes many animals you would find in the jungle.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Englebert is one classy elephant. He can hold his own in a high stress social situation. He even dances with the queen herself. He is a lovely gentleman and Kellogg's illustrations are so vivid.

[Elle Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book