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Elephant & Piggie #9
Elephants Cannot Dance!
In Elephants Cannot Dance! Piggie tries to teach Gerald some new moves. But will Gerald teach Piggie something even more important?
Hardcover
First published June 9, 2009
29 people are currently reading
1632 people want to read
About the author
Mo Willems
231 books4,112 followers#1 New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems is best known for his Caldecott Honor winning picture books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Knuffle Bunny: a cautionary tale.
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.
The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."
Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.
Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
In addition to such picture books as Leonardo the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct, and Time to Pee, Mo has created the Elephant and Piggie books, a series of early readers, and published You Can Never Find a Rickshaw When it Monsoons, an annotated cartoon journal sketched during a year-long voyage around the world in 1990-91.
The New York Times Book Review called Mo “the biggest new talent to emerge thus far in the 00's."
Mo’s work books have been translated into a myriad of languages, spawned animated shorts and theatrical musical productions, and his illustrations, wire sculpture, and carved ceramics have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the nation.
Mo began his career as a writer and animator for television, garnering 6 Emmy awards for his writing on Sesame Street, creating Nickelodeon's The Off-Beats, Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and head-writing Codename: Kids Next Door.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
March 1, 2018
Mo Willems is a name you think parallel to Dr. Seuss.
Piggy is hell bent on teaching Gerald some moves.
Artistic drawings, less-words-more-fun approach and a pigeon hidden in every book of this series makes it a compelling read!
I am going to read this to my first baby while he's still in our womb with an ultrasound microphone.
And it on goodreads from his account as read!
January 16, 2019
Piggie wants to teach Gerald how to dance, but really
Still they can have some fun.
Still they can have some fun.
June 21, 2022
Piggie wants to teach Elephant to dance, and Elephant wants to learn. Unfortunately, it says RIGHT THERE in the What Elephants Can Do book that pachyderms can't polka . . . though that doesn't mean that Elephant can't try. And, try he does, with varying degrees of success.
Another cute outing with this delightful duo.
Another cute outing with this delightful duo.
September 19, 2016
When I was a child, Dr. Seuss was the name in early readers. He wasn't the only writer, nor always the best, but he was who you thought of first. Now the name is Mo Willems. His books are consistently funny, artistically appealing in their simplicity, and the pigeon kills with every appearance.
I sit here in September, typing with right hand only, because my left hand is resting, reassuringly, on Calder Alexander Eno, who is sitting in the chair pulled up next to mine. I'm doing this, because we are finally getting some rain, which will stop all the humans from hideous allergy attacks and sinus headaches, of which we are heartily sick, both figuratively and literally. Calder is an enormous jellicle cat, more than twenty pounds, long and tall, and he's probably the snuggliest cat I've ever met, but he is frightened of thunder: when it rumbles he growls and goes and hides under Natasha's bed. He has already spent half the day under there, so I'm trying to keep him calm and happy. Such a good cat. I go back to work October 3, so that's two weeks to catch up on one hundred seventy-eight book reviews. I can do this.
Library copy
I sit here in September, typing with right hand only, because my left hand is resting, reassuringly, on Calder Alexander Eno, who is sitting in the chair pulled up next to mine. I'm doing this, because we are finally getting some rain, which will stop all the humans from hideous allergy attacks and sinus headaches, of which we are heartily sick, both figuratively and literally. Calder is an enormous jellicle cat, more than twenty pounds, long and tall, and he's probably the snuggliest cat I've ever met, but he is frightened of thunder: when it rumbles he growls and goes and hides under Natasha's bed. He has already spent half the day under there, so I'm trying to keep him calm and happy. Such a good cat. I go back to work October 3, so that's two weeks to catch up on one hundred seventy-eight book reviews. I can do this.
Library copy
June 4, 2013
If I had read this Elephant and Piggie book to myself, I think that I'd have thought it was lackluster. Throw a five year old into the mix, and a book that I thought was lackluster takes on a certain brilliance. I don't know why this book is so funny, but my nephew just about died laughing! Piggie and Gerald had him laughing, and he had all of us laughing as we sat around the campfire. Good times!
September 9, 2013
Another wonderful Willems book that kept both my 5 yr old and twin 3 yr olds fascinated. Not enough words to be even a reading level 1 book, Willems still has a way about him to bring the reader into his wonderful world. These books are ones my whole family loves. And a fellow friend on GR recently told me that the pigeon was hidden in each book and we now love to look for him too! Fun for all and a great addition to any children's library!
February 22, 2018
I read this to some preschool groups. So much fun.
October 23, 2021
This one made me laugh more than all the others I've read so far. Love the illustrations!!!
May 14, 2023
Always fun to read these together.
August 13, 2023
Just cause you can’t doesn’t mean you can’t TRY.
February 13, 2018
This is a great book for 2-6 year old's. I think this book teaches kids that they can dance, even if
they don't think they can. This book is funny and for kids who cannot read that great because they can look at the pictures. When Gerald tries to dance, it's very funny. I liked this book, and so does my little cousin.
they don't think they can. This book is funny and for kids who cannot read that great because they can look at the pictures. When Gerald tries to dance, it's very funny. I liked this book, and so does my little cousin.
February 19, 2025
Author Mo Willems does a great job through the Elephant and Piggie series of teaching young readers the importance of friendship, always trying, and the importance of respect and kindness towards others. In this book, Piggie wants to teach Elephant how to dance and Elephant is determined that he cannot. After many failed attempts, Elephant is discouraged, but the support of his community raises his spirits and gives him the confidence to dance in his own way. Willems does an amazing job of showing young readers the importance of always trying, as well as highlighting how our differences do not have to be a bad thing. In fact, we should be proud of who we are and what makes us different. I would definitely recommend this book to young readers in the PreK-1st grade levels. The book includes simple text and colorful illustrations that will definitely keep your young reader engaged while sharing an important message!
November 27, 2022
Julianna read me this book today for 2nd time. Cute book! She gives it 5 stars.
November 4, 2022
I think the little kids loved this book because of how Gerald can't dance and how piggie is really trying hard to make him learn how to dance. Although in the book there is a plain background, It is just piggie, Elephant, and squirrels, and I think kids would love to see more cartoonish characters since they love seeing pictures with minimal words they can understand.
July 27, 2016
This caught my eye on the shelving cart just as we were closing. Since I was planning on a dance party for part of storytime, and I hadn't read this E&P book, yet (gasp!), I read through. Cute for sure. Not quite speaking "read me aloud" as some of the others. But I have yet to go wrong with E&P. So I will include them.
August 2015: I know I've read this in storytime. Almost positive movement was one of them. Can't remember if I've done preschool. But it HAS been read. I'm going to go with movement for now.
7/27/16 Used in my X,Y,Z theme because it was our last of the summer (had to have an E&P), and Dancing is eXercise. A great lead in to dancing for our play time portion. And the kids loved the book, of course.
August 2015: I know I've read this in storytime. Almost positive movement was one of them. Can't remember if I've done preschool. But it HAS been read. I'm going to go with movement for now.
7/27/16 Used in my X,Y,Z theme because it was our last of the summer (had to have an E&P), and Dancing is eXercise. A great lead in to dancing for our play time portion. And the kids loved the book, of course.
September 21, 2009
Very cute and funny story of friendship and how we need not all dance the same style to have fun! :-)
November 6, 2012
it was a great book. it was so funny when piggy said "it dosint say you cant try" ha ha ha :D.
February 23, 2015
It is not as fun when Gerald does the dance wrong. I want him to do the dance right.
February 18, 2016
You never know what you can do until you try!
October 27, 2017
Bug has really been enjoying this series.
January 30, 2017
Elephant is trying to dance. He admittedly is not a dancer. But yet everyone can dance, maybe some better than others. And Elephant can dance, well at least, one dance.
April 29, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
A cute Elephant and Piggie book about trying new things and finding what works for you. It's all about being an individual and also learning new ways to do something.
I love this series. Each book is entertaining, but also includes an important life lesson. And Piggie and Elephant's friendship is awe-inspiring.
As always, great illustrations and a nice story.
Also, can I just say that I love that Piggie is a girl, but doesn't always wear stereotypical markers (bows, dresses, earrings, long eyelashes), which is so common in animal characters in children's books? She's worn dresses in other books. In this one, she wears a tutu because she's teaching Gerald to dance. But shes doesn't always have to wear them, like it's essential to her character. It's not that she doesn't wear "female" clothes, it's just that she doesn't always wear them just like Gerald doesn't always wear stereotypical "male" things. It's nice to see a female character that isn't overly feminized so we can tell she's a girl (i.e. Minnie Mouse, Jewel from Rio, Arlene from Garfield). Like remember, everyone, this one is the girl, you can tell because she has a bow. End tangent.
Anyway, love the series. This is a good book.
A cute Elephant and Piggie book about trying new things and finding what works for you. It's all about being an individual and also learning new ways to do something.
I love this series. Each book is entertaining, but also includes an important life lesson. And Piggie and Elephant's friendship is awe-inspiring.
As always, great illustrations and a nice story.
Also, can I just say that I love that Piggie is a girl, but doesn't always wear stereotypical markers (bows, dresses, earrings, long eyelashes), which is so common in animal characters in children's books? She's worn dresses in other books. In this one, she wears a tutu because she's teaching Gerald to dance. But shes doesn't always have to wear them, like it's essential to her character. It's not that she doesn't wear "female" clothes, it's just that she doesn't always wear them just like Gerald doesn't always wear stereotypical "male" things. It's nice to see a female character that isn't overly feminized so we can tell she's a girl (i.e. Minnie Mouse, Jewel from Rio, Arlene from Garfield). Like remember, everyone, this one is the girl, you can tell because she has a bow. End tangent.
Anyway, love the series. This is a good book.
December 2, 2022
I think Elephants Cannot Dance is a good book! And has a nice message. I think it would fit best with PreK - 2nd grade students, mainly because it was quite long and I think younger kids would get bored quickly. Elephants Cannot Dance is a book that includes a pig and an elephant - the pig seemed to be more energetic and outgoing as the elephant wasn’t, Piggie (the pig) was trying to show Gerald (the elephant) that he should try to learn how to dance even though it seems like it wouldn’t work. It shows many failed attempts of Gerald trying to dance. But then a few squirrels join and ask for some dance lessons, the Piggie tells them that their friend is sad so he can’t teach them, what they say next shocks both Piggie and Gerald! The illustrations of the book is great, it has simple colors and some repetitive colors as well! I think since the background is plain white you can be more focused on the characters and understand them more. The author - Mo Willems has many other books including Piggie and Gerald so your child has other options if they enjoy the characters!
April 18, 2018
Gerald the elephant wants to learn to dance so bad, but he just can’t seem to get the hang of it. Good thing Piggie is there to help! I liked the overall message of this book because it teaches students that even if they can’t do something exactly like someone else, they can always find their own rhythm. Gerald the elephant was trying so hard to dance just like Piggie was teaching him, but it was not until he embraced his own style that he really became confident and learned what dancing was to him. I think a fun way to read this book in class would be in a class read-aloud, and then have a little dance party afterwards to get the message across and to get students moving. I would most likely use this for read-aloud in kindergarten and first grade classrooms, and I would have it in my library for second graders as well.
Read
March 15, 2022I chose to add this book because I know how popular it is with children. I thought the book was cute, and I do understand why students seem to love it so much. The dialogue back and forth between Elephant and Piggie is charming and it makes for an easy, enjoyable read. I picked book #9 in particular because I liked the resolution, and the little message that shined through, about accepting the gifts that each individual has to offer. If this book/series is still wildly popular when I have my own classroom, I might put it in, but I have other books by Mo Willems that I will have in my class library, and I also have other books that have a similar message that are more diverse. On the other hand, they don't follow that fun dialogue pattern, so the verdict on this book is still out. It's a great book though, and I don't see any problems with someone having it in their classroom!
November 21, 2019
Gerald and Piggie are best friends. Piggie tries to teach Gerald, the elephant, to dance but he cannot seem to get the hang of it. Gerald tried to dance like Piggie but then realized he should just dance how he is comfortable to dance.
I like this book because it is super cute. The drawings bring the book to life. The message to the students is powerful too: you don’t know what you can do unless you try.
This book relates to The Day the Crayons Quit.
This can be used to do writing about a time you did something that you did not think you could do.
I like this book because it is super cute. The drawings bring the book to life. The message to the students is powerful too: you don’t know what you can do unless you try.
This book relates to The Day the Crayons Quit.
This can be used to do writing about a time you did something that you did not think you could do.
July 17, 2020
Piggie wants to teach a reluctant Gerald how to dance. There’s only one problem-elephants can’t dance! Gerald tried his best but is eventually too frustrated to go on, until a few new friends show up with a different outlook on what dancing the “right way” means. Fun for kids who are early readers, much of the story is carried in the illustrations as well. I’d say the best part of the book are the diverse set of facial expressions and body language displayed by the characters, which could be a lesson all on its own.
May 27, 2017
Elephant knows he can't dance. Why? Who told him? Does he learn differently?
**Talking points - what do you know you can't do? Why? Did someone tell you you can't do it? Have you tried and failed? Who said you failed? Who says we all have to do things in the same way? Who says your way of doing something wasn't wonderful? What might you enjoy doing if you knew you could do it in an atmosphere of support? You never know what you can do til you try, and try and try again.
**Talking points - what do you know you can't do? Why? Did someone tell you you can't do it? Have you tried and failed? Who said you failed? Who says we all have to do things in the same way? Who says your way of doing something wasn't wonderful? What might you enjoy doing if you knew you could do it in an atmosphere of support? You never know what you can do til you try, and try and try again.
April 21, 2019
Piggy can dance and Elephant cannot. Piggy does her best to show Elephant how to dance. Elephant is not catching on and manages to stay one beat behind. As the story continues, Elephant learns that he doesn't have to dance just like Piggy because his own dancing is special too.
This book is a cute read and a quirky representation of friendship. Elephants Cannot Dance makes you feel like it's okay if your dancing is a little bit different than everyone else.
Age Appropriateness: K-2nd grade
This book is a cute read and a quirky representation of friendship. Elephants Cannot Dance makes you feel like it's okay if your dancing is a little bit different than everyone else.
Age Appropriateness: K-2nd grade
September 24, 2023
Welcome to the 9th installment of Piggie and Gerald!
This is another book that is in constant rotation in this household. The kids love to act out the dance moves.
Piggie wants to dance and teaches Gerald, her best friend, some dance moves. Things don’t quite go according to plan and hilariousness ensues. Some friends join in the fun and learn to dance as well.
I throughly enjoy the series because it’s quality bonding time between learning to read, sharing dialogue to acting out scenes.
This is another book that is in constant rotation in this household. The kids love to act out the dance moves.
Piggie wants to dance and teaches Gerald, her best friend, some dance moves. Things don’t quite go according to plan and hilariousness ensues. Some friends join in the fun and learn to dance as well.
I throughly enjoy the series because it’s quality bonding time between learning to read, sharing dialogue to acting out scenes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews