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Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing
After fourteen years of construction, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed, much to the delight of the sister cities it Brooklyn and New York City.
Fireworks and top hats filled the air in celebration when the magnificent bridge opened in 1883. But some wondered just how much weight the new bridge could hold. Was it truly safe?
One man seized the opportunity to show people in Brooklyn, New York and the world that the Brooklyn Bridge was in fact strong enough to hold even the heaviest of passengers. P. T. Barnum, creator of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” would present a show too big for the Big Top and too wondrous to forget.
Fireworks and top hats filled the air in celebration when the magnificent bridge opened in 1883. But some wondered just how much weight the new bridge could hold. Was it truly safe?
One man seized the opportunity to show people in Brooklyn, New York and the world that the Brooklyn Bridge was in fact strong enough to hold even the heaviest of passengers. P. T. Barnum, creator of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” would present a show too big for the Big Top and too wondrous to forget.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2005
3 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
April Jones Prince
18 books28 followersApril Jones Prince is a children's book author specializing in history and books for the very young.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
May 3, 2018
This book offers a glimpse into the world of New York City in the 1880s, when the Brooklyn Bridge was under construction leading to the grand opening and the stunt by P.T. Barnum to march twenty-one elephants across the completed bridge to demonstrate his confidence in its strength and durability.
The narrative is very straightforward, but not overly interesting. And the illustrations are gorgeous, but I expect that they would not engage a younger child. An older child who is interested in learning about events in history might find the book to be fascinating, but I see this as a book that adults appreciate more than children do.
The narrative is very straightforward, but not overly interesting. And the illustrations are gorgeous, but I expect that they would not engage a younger child. An older child who is interested in learning about events in history might find the book to be fascinating, but I see this as a book that adults appreciate more than children do.
January 31, 2019
A fun story to learn about! The Brooklyn Bridge, P.T. Barnum and elephants - how can you go wrong? Your children will enjoy this fascinating tale (just make sure you read with the flow of the commas. For some weird reason I was struggling with the stanzas/ flow so just an FYI in case you run into the same thing).
And if you want to learn more about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, I highly recommend David McCullough's book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . It was fantastic!
Ages: 5 - 10
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And if you want to learn more about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, I highly recommend David McCullough's book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... . It was fantastic!
Ages: 5 - 10
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
October 1, 2021
Really fun story! The vocabulary is rather extensive for the picture-book crowd. I'd save this for older kids, especially if they're reading on their own.
February 23, 2015
This book is the true story of what happened after the Brooklyn bridge was completed. Many people had doubts that it was safe to use because they had never seen anything like it before. But when P T Barnum hears that people are scared to go on the bridge he decides to do something to cast away everyone's fear. He marched across the Brooklyn Bridge with the twenty one elephants from his circus. The bridge stayed standing and everyone was happy.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the illustrations. I thought that the illustrations were realistic enough to catch your eye and make you pay attention without distracting too much from the text, which is very well written. I also thought that there were a lot of subtle touches in the illustrations that made the illustrations stand out. For example, whenever PT Barnum was shown, the colors were very warm and welcoming. The story also had some illustrations that showed how mysterious the bridge was to a lot of people by showing how big it was in comparison to the people and even the elephants.
I also really enjoyed the text in this book. I thought that it was fun to read and even though it wasn't exactly poetic the words still had it's own sort of rhythm that still carried the story along and made it fun to read. I thought that the story was also really great for kids because it provides a rare moment were reality is better than fiction. It gives children an opportunity to learn more about the Brooklyn Bridge and maybe the history about New York by telling a story that might not even seem real.
One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the illustrations. I thought that the illustrations were realistic enough to catch your eye and make you pay attention without distracting too much from the text, which is very well written. I also thought that there were a lot of subtle touches in the illustrations that made the illustrations stand out. For example, whenever PT Barnum was shown, the colors were very warm and welcoming. The story also had some illustrations that showed how mysterious the bridge was to a lot of people by showing how big it was in comparison to the people and even the elephants.
I also really enjoyed the text in this book. I thought that it was fun to read and even though it wasn't exactly poetic the words still had it's own sort of rhythm that still carried the story along and made it fun to read. I thought that the story was also really great for kids because it provides a rare moment were reality is better than fiction. It gives children an opportunity to learn more about the Brooklyn Bridge and maybe the history about New York by telling a story that might not even seem real.
January 12, 2018
Interesting little story about the history behind the Brooklyn Bridge (of which I have always been incredibly fascinated). The illustrations are gorgeous, as well. Very soft and delicate. The wording of the book is a bit unusual, but still a good read for children.
May 31, 2015
Very interesting way of telling how the Brooklyn bridge came about. We love reading about history when they are told with interesting stories instead of just facts.
September 28, 2025
In this brief review, I will compare two picture books that retell the story of the same 1884 event: the book you clicked on, Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing, written by April Jones Prince and illustrated by Francois Roca (Houghton Mifflin, 2005), and Twenty-One Elephants, written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by LeUyen (pronounced "Lay Win") Pham (Simon & Schuster, 2004).
When the Brooklyn Bridge was completed, many people were skeptical about whether it was safe. P.T. Barnum, famous for his publicity stunts, responded with a parade of 21 elephants crossing the bridge. That's the history, and the story is retold well in both books. What are the differences?
(1) TEXT: I'm happy to report that neither book is in rhyme. Prince's text is in free verse, while Bildner's text is in prose. Prince sticks to the facts; Bildner imagines a little girl named Hannah who has done her homework about the bridge and tries to convince people it's safe, but they just laugh. When her father takes her to the circus, Hannah calls out to Barnum with an idea about using his elephants. The greatest showman responds "Great minds think alike," and hands her a flyer about his upcoming stunt. He adds: "Start spreading the news!"
(2) ART: Both books have lovely art, but Roca's art is best with landscapes while Pham's is best with people and their expressions. Pham is one of my favorite contemporary illustrators. (I especially like The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos and The Best Birthday Party Ever.) Not surprisingly, I like her version of the elephant story better.
When the Brooklyn Bridge was completed, many people were skeptical about whether it was safe. P.T. Barnum, famous for his publicity stunts, responded with a parade of 21 elephants crossing the bridge. That's the history, and the story is retold well in both books. What are the differences?
(1) TEXT: I'm happy to report that neither book is in rhyme. Prince's text is in free verse, while Bildner's text is in prose. Prince sticks to the facts; Bildner imagines a little girl named Hannah who has done her homework about the bridge and tries to convince people it's safe, but they just laugh. When her father takes her to the circus, Hannah calls out to Barnum with an idea about using his elephants. The greatest showman responds "Great minds think alike," and hands her a flyer about his upcoming stunt. He adds: "Start spreading the news!"
(2) ART: Both books have lovely art, but Roca's art is best with landscapes while Pham's is best with people and their expressions. Pham is one of my favorite contemporary illustrators. (I especially like The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos and The Best Birthday Party Ever.) Not surprisingly, I like her version of the elephant story better.
December 16, 2024
Filled with pictures in cool tones, this launches us back to a time when the Brooklyn Bridge was considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. People watched it being built for 14 years and it was a grand day when it was declared open for the public.
The story projects that excitement in short tone poems as well as the trepidation that this marvel of steel and cable wasn't as strong as the engineers claimed it was. Some people flatly refused to cross it...until the consummate showman and engender of spectacle himself Phineas T. Barnum put it to a stupendous test.
Phineas himself is neatly overshadowed, literally, by Jumbo, the pachyderm who was the star of the show. The artist projects the majesty and glory of land beasts that are themselves marvels to behold. We are there as these splendid massive gray thunderers cross the bridge from Manhattan into Brooklyn.
The story ends on a note of whimsy, linking the Brooklyn Bridge with the man who gave it the ultimate test. This makes it a book that will appeal to boys and girls and children of all ages.
The story projects that excitement in short tone poems as well as the trepidation that this marvel of steel and cable wasn't as strong as the engineers claimed it was. Some people flatly refused to cross it...until the consummate showman and engender of spectacle himself Phineas T. Barnum put it to a stupendous test.
Phineas himself is neatly overshadowed, literally, by Jumbo, the pachyderm who was the star of the show. The artist projects the majesty and glory of land beasts that are themselves marvels to behold. We are there as these splendid massive gray thunderers cross the bridge from Manhattan into Brooklyn.
The story ends on a note of whimsy, linking the Brooklyn Bridge with the man who gave it the ultimate test. This makes it a book that will appeal to boys and girls and children of all ages.
June 22, 2024
In the author's notes, Prince explains the discovery of this story and the intense research she conducted to complete this rhyming picture book. That author's note helps readers see that although the text and story is abbreviated, much went in to telling this unusual story.
When the the magnificent structure, the Brooklyn Bridge, was built in 1880's people marveled at its magnitude but worried about the weight it could hold. Enter: P. T. Barnum, provocative wildly ambitious father of the circus. Who volunteered to parade his 21 circus elephants, each weighing 10,000 pounds, across the bridge to prove its weight endurance.
Interestingly even Goodreads neglected to highlight (it's not listed) the work of world renowned French illustrator, Francois Roca's contribution to bringing this story to life. Each painting feels cast in history through the rustic tones and realistic depictions of the time.
When the the magnificent structure, the Brooklyn Bridge, was built in 1880's people marveled at its magnitude but worried about the weight it could hold. Enter: P. T. Barnum, provocative wildly ambitious father of the circus. Who volunteered to parade his 21 circus elephants, each weighing 10,000 pounds, across the bridge to prove its weight endurance.
Interestingly even Goodreads neglected to highlight (it's not listed) the work of world renowned French illustrator, Francois Roca's contribution to bringing this story to life. Each painting feels cast in history through the rustic tones and realistic depictions of the time.
October 8, 2018
TIL that 21 elephants walked across the Brooklyn Bridge when it first opened! I knew that the bridge was one of the first to use divers to build it, and that it was designed by Roebling, but I did not know that elephants marched across to prove its safety!
This book tells the story well enough. Of course, it is about the elephants and not Barnum, and does not mention that they were likely maltreated and abused, but it is still an interesting anecdote. Ozman appreciated it and enjoyed the story. I told him I'd take him for a walk across the bridge when we go to the City, since Mama already did that once :)
This book tells the story well enough. Of course, it is about the elephants and not Barnum, and does not mention that they were likely maltreated and abused, but it is still an interesting anecdote. Ozman appreciated it and enjoyed the story. I told him I'd take him for a walk across the bridge when we go to the City, since Mama already did that once :)
July 7, 2019
“Some wondered how long it would stand.”
It took 14 years, but finally the Brooklyn Bridge was built to connect New York City to Brooklyn. “Amazing, worth the waiting, it was simply breathtaking.” After a celebration with fireworks, bands and “people partied til the sun rose.” It was “so long and so lofty, its cables so new,” would it be safe?
P.T. Barnum vowed to prove that the bridge was safe. “I will stage an event that will calm every fear, erase every worry, about that remarkable bridge.” So in May 1884 he marched a parade of elephants across that bridge.
Beautiful illustrations and an interesting story from our history. There is an author’s note and bibliography included.
It took 14 years, but finally the Brooklyn Bridge was built to connect New York City to Brooklyn. “Amazing, worth the waiting, it was simply breathtaking.” After a celebration with fireworks, bands and “people partied til the sun rose.” It was “so long and so lofty, its cables so new,” would it be safe?
P.T. Barnum vowed to prove that the bridge was safe. “I will stage an event that will calm every fear, erase every worry, about that remarkable bridge.” So in May 1884 he marched a parade of elephants across that bridge.
Beautiful illustrations and an interesting story from our history. There is an author’s note and bibliography included.
May 10, 2018
Interesting story, maybe true, maybe not, as explained by the author, but still a fun little snippet of history. Unfortunately, I feel as though most of the story was about the building of and worry over the bridge. The elephants, well, they felt like an afterthought. Almost anticlimactic when they crossed. That disappointed me. I think the pacing just didn't work for me. Still, it's a great one for kids to read who are interested in engineering.
April 10, 2019
Miss 4 was bored and stopped paying attention. Probably more relevant for Americans or denizens of Brooklyn. I found the historical information at the back of the book interesting.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 23, 2020
This was fascinating! I didn’t know this historical event happened. However you feel about circuses with animals and such, I still think this was neat. Overall, I liked the pictures, and the text was interesting. It wasn’t quite rhyming, but there was something to it.
The book is about the Brooklyn Bridge and how P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants across it to prove that it was safe. It also was great publicity for him.
M
The book is about the Brooklyn Bridge and how P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants across it to prove that it was safe. It also was great publicity for him.
M
June 19, 2018
This book has the most generous description of P.T. Barnum I have heard yet: "Phineas T. Barnum always looked on the bright side."
Interesting story here, but I agree with several other reviewers that this title will likely appeal more to adults than kids. The illustrations are lovely but do not capture one's attention, especially the cover image.
Interesting story here, but I agree with several other reviewers that this title will likely appeal more to adults than kids. The illustrations are lovely but do not capture one's attention, especially the cover image.
March 20, 2024
Read this Picture Book at CH Booth Library because the cover caught my attention. Then I discovered a story I never knew! P.T. Barnum had 21 of his elephants including his largest - Jumbo - cross the bridge. People weren’t sure about this bridge, which had been constructed with modern technology, it at the time. Very interesting book!
May 24, 2021
An interesting piece of history (that may or may not be true). This book took a while to get going. The beginning did not particularly interest my child, but she enjoyed the book once Barnum's elephants entered the story.
Read
April 23, 2022Very easy-to-follow story. This book tells the story of the Brooklyn Bridge and what Phineas T. Barnum did after the fact. I like it, but it is a linear story. The artwork is well done and fits the story well.
June 3, 2017
Nice little bit of history, interesting for NY lovers, elephant lovers, and bridge lovers. Of which I am all three!
Lovely and lifelike illustrations, too.
Lovely and lifelike illustrations, too.
February 15, 2018
I love when a kids book that speaks about history pulls through. This was a good read about a piece of history and it was well illustrated!
March 3, 2018
Having walked the Brooklyn Bridge, it was certainly interesting to read this account of elephants crossing the bridge to determine if it was safe!
July 27, 2018
Set in Brooklyn. Tells the story of PT Barnum crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with 21 elephants. #thegreatestshowman
March 5, 2019
Un cuento entrañable sobre el puente de Brooklyn aderezado con bellísimas ilustraciones
December 1, 2019
Great book that talks about an amazing event put on by PT Barnum- my greatest showman fan son was thrilled! What an interesting way to introduce a historical event and monument to children
December 4, 2019
About the Brooklyn Bridge and PT Barnum and showmanship and public confidence.
Makes me wonder things about how elephants walk in a line. Do they march "in step"?
Makes me wonder things about how elephants walk in a line. Do they march "in step"?
April 27, 2020
this book is okay is about building the Brooklyn bridge. Nothing to special about it lol.
June 28, 2020
Neat historical incident.
December 28, 2020
Great untold story of Barnum’s Circus elephants crossing the new Brooklyn Bridge to prove its soundness. Great for construction/building theme.
March 9, 2021
An amazing feat to prove doubtful people that the impossible has been made possible!
November 18, 2021
I wanted to like this more. I just felt the story line didn’t flow. It wasn’t a fun read a loud. The illustrations are beautiful but I don’t think I can give it more then 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews