Doris

by Lo Cole

A charming picture book about a very shy elephant and her fear of standing out.

Doris does NOT like to stand out. But as a red elephant, no matter where she hides, she is easily spotted. Whether hiding behind a flock of birds, within a bed of flowers, or among a school of fish, she can be seen. Can she find a way to build her confidence and embrace her colorful self?

Doris features bright, engaging illustrations that showcase the adorable main character, and readers will enjoy the repetition throughout this elephant book as Doris tries in vain to blend in. With strong social appeal and messages about embracing yourself, self-esteem, individuality, and accepting differences, Doris is perfect for kindergarten and preschool book libraries, or anyone looking for children’s books for ages 3-5. Young readers will delight in spotting Doris across pages filled with eye-catching artwork as she learns the importance of uniqueness and gains the confidence to finally say, "Look at me!"

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Fiction, Storytime, Childrens, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 3, 2023

About the author

An internationally acclaimed illustrator and printmaker, Lo Cole’s commercial illustration work spans editorial, publishing, advertising, corporate design and album cover artwork.

Lo has worked for The Guardian since 2002 – readers of the Weekend magazine will be familiar with his witty, bold and graphic imagery for ‘What I’m Really Thinking’, a column written anonymously by members of the public, for which Lo has created over 300 illustrations, to date. Lo is also a weekly contributor to The Economist Magazine, illustrating the Latin American column, ‘Bello’.

In addition to his career as an illustrator, Lo has a following as a printmaker; making limited edition prints since he left art school. Nowadays, he creates and prints these digitally from his studio in Gloucestershire and ships to customers all over the world.

Reviews

[Clara Levi · Rating 1 out of 5]

ele-finished.

[Trevor Abbott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dyslexic bitch shoulda stayed hidden

[Libby Low · Rating 5 out of 5]

the most beautiful and uplifting story for all ages - such a fun one to read and follow Doris as she learns to love and embrace herself

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun seek and find story that captures the mixed feelings of wanting to blend in, but still wanting to be part of a community and eventually gaining enough confidence to want to engage with someone else.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching and giggles mix with empathy and understanding to form a cute, fun read.

Doris is a bright, red elephant. No other elephants look anything like her, so she stands out everywhere she goes. And she hates it. Sometimes, she can hide. She's determined to find a place, where no one can notice her. This works somewhat...until it works a little too well.

This is one of those books, which will hold readers' attentions, have them excited to see the next page, and bring giggles, too. The idea is simple but draws listeners in as they not only sympathize with the little elephant but also need to search for Doris themselves. This search fits well to the age group and works even nicely for group readings; it's not difficult to find Doris but does it in a way, which will bring the 'there she is!' expression. More than a couple slightly silly situations add to the fun.

The illustrations are bright and bold. They stay simple in shape and don't concentrate on details. Sticking to what's important, they bring across the needed atmosphere in a basic way, which simply works. These also fit very well to the intended audience level.

There is a message centering around self-love and not being afraid to be different. Preachiness stays far away, though. The message comes in very subtly and, yet, is hard to miss. The last page drives it home in a wonderful way, which surprises and brings a last, very big smile. I received a complimentary and smiled much more than I thought I would while reading it.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris is a shy little elephant who is very red and the only thing on the page when we first meet her. “Stop looking at me,” she says to the reader, and stomps off to the next page, where she hides herself amongst a flock for birds. Since the birds are bright colors of the same tone as her, she is initially hard to find. The narrator invites readers to look for her. There, Doris wonders if she’s an “ele-finch.” She goes on to hide in a field of flowers (is she an “ele-plant“?), then in a pool of fish, where she wonders if she’s an “ele-fish.” Finally Doris finds herself on a page that is completely red, just like she is and she has an identity crisis. Doris realizes that she wants to be seen.

This droll picture book has striking, bold print-like illustrations in wonderful bright reds, blues, pinks and yellows, making Doris really stand out. And she finds out by the end that she doesn’t mind that so much! Youngsters will love predicting when she’ll tell the reader, “Stop looking at me,” and looking for her as she hides. The ending will provoke giggles, as Doris, newly confident, meets someone who’s big and blue, and definitely wants her to stop looking at him!

[Les Jardins d'Hélène · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris est une éléphante plutôt timide, qui n’aime pas qu’on la regarde. En même temps, elle est rouge, pas facile de passer inaperçue ! Et qui n’a jamais rougi de timidité ? A moins qu’une peur bleue ne vous ait saisi ? Alors Doris passe son temps à se cacher… dans de belles pages colorées. Doris vaincra-t-elle sa timidité pour aller à la rencontre de l’autre ?

Livre-jeu, à la fois « cherche et trouve » et jeux avec les mots (Doris invente plein de néologismes à son image), l’autrice-illustratrice utilise aussi la double page pour donner place et mouvement à ses personnages, tout comme la couleur pour la présence ou l’absence.

Un album tout simple mais bien plus riche qu’il n’y paraît grâce à l’exploitation parfaite de l’espace de l’album, en adéquation avec le texte et l’illustration. (Dès 3 ans.)

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. British Author/Illustrator.

Doris, a red elephant, does not like to stick out. She does everything she can to blend in. But when she finally gets what she wanted, she decides she does want to be seen.

What I liked: Opportunities for varying degrees of inferencing and message-taking. Simple, cute illustrations. Fun to "look for" Doris when she hides.

What I didn't like: A good idea that I think could have gone deeper; make Doris harder to spot, with more self-reflection at the end.

Overall, it was enjoyable but not a standout.

[frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of the story seems a bit weak and unoriginal in comparison to other children's books that used the same technique to engage readers. But the book redeems itself when it adds the portion where the elephant is on an entirely red page, and is uncomfortable with being so completely invisible. This is a deeply philosophical concept that will nourish children without them thinking twice about it. Then, the book goes back to being a bit weak. So whether this book is worth a child's time depends on the personal enjoyment they may get from the illustrations.

[Addison Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely touching, especially as someone who just wanted to hide in plain sight at one point in their life. Kids reading stories that they can relate to with beautiful endings like this one can be so accepting in life which is a reason I loved this book. This message in the story about self-acceptance makes me wish I could give it more than five stars, and I think every child should read this at some point in their life.

[Geertje Bluekens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een prentenboek over verlegen zijn en niet willen opvallen dat heel wat mogelijkheden biedt om met kleuters over dit thema te praten. De sterk afgelijnde illustraties in een beperkt kleuterpalet vol kleine vondsten en verrassingen zorgen ervoor dat het thema helemaal niet zwaar wordt. En ook in de tekst is heel wat humor te ontdekken.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun picture book with bright colors, however some of the collaged images asking the reader to find Doris would prove to be challenging in a larger storytime setting. This book would be better suited to a lapread.

Themes: elephants, repetitive phrases, colors, seek and find
Ages: toddler-1st grade
Pub year: 2024

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Animal story time! I freaking love this book - it is so cute and the illustrations are perfect. I saved it for last, so my crew was a little squirrely, but it's fun to watch them try to find her in each image. The book is *just* big enough that it works with a medium sized group (so for the larger groups we get in the summer, it might be too small).

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris is a red elephant, but does not like attention. She seeks to find places to blend in: a flock of birds, a flower bed, etc. When Doris finds herself completely obscured her feelings change. I love how the author played with the world of the book in this book that will make a fun read aloud for young children.

[Sophie Pook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris is such a delightful character. You will immediately fall in love with this shy little elephant hiding in a series of beautiful colourful settings. The illustrations are super and small children will delight in this story with its positive message. I will be keeping an eye out for the next book with the rhino!! - This will definitely be one I will be doing for our Story Time.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doris doesn't like to be visible. She doesn't want others looking at her. Readers see her move to the next page to hide among various items. Finally, she realizes she is glad to be who she is. Love the humorous ending as she meets a blue rhino who does not want anyone to look at him.

[Jvermeersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk kleurrijk boek over een verlegen olifant die zich dus overal tussen andere dieren verbergt... in het begin toch. Leuk positief aangepakt.
Meteen meerdere keren gelezen in dezelfde week. Wij zijn fan.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story of a bright red elephant who's shy and doesn't like being noticed. There's a few spreads where kids will enjoy finding her hiding spot. Will she eventually learn that it's okay to be seen sometimes?

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doris is a red elephant that hides on every other page. The illustrations are great and are fun to try to find Doris. However, the story itself doesn't make any sense. Best for one-on-one search book.

[Denise Wouw · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 kind vond het hilarisch

[Rongeur · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esthétique particulièrement ludique mais le contenu reste classique.

[Eric Gusmão]

Lindíssimo livro infantil
Recomendo plenamente

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime - elephants, feelings, being yourself - could have the children repeat "Stop Looking at Me!" with you as you read

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

an elephant longs for alone time and tries to be alone but does he really want to be alone. Elementary and up

[Elaine Fultz, retired librarian (38 years serving youth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little ones will enjoy spotting the elephant when she's hiding.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love these illustrations -- so bright and colorful and vibrant! The story is simple and young readers will probably like this level of humor.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

I wanted to like this more. It might work for a storytime depending on your personal preference.

[Y.Poston]

a very fun look-n-find Doris the red & shy elephant who does not like being looked at

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love how bright and joyful this text is. And Doris is pretty adorable.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime: Colors