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Little Elliot #2
Малкият Елиът и голямото семейство
За какво разказват Малкият Елиът, слонче на точки, и неговият приятел Мишока?
За приятелството... и семейството!
За приятелството... и семейството!
32 pages
First published October 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Mike Curato
20 books284 followersMIKE was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City. He has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. Mike attended Syracuse University and has a BFA in Illustration. After college, he moved to Seattle, where he eventually began a career as a graphic designer. You can see examples of Mike's design work here. In 2012, Mike finally achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a published author & illustrator of children's books when Henry Holt Books for Young Readers (MacMillan) offered him a 3-book deal featuring his character, Little Elliot. The first book in the series, Little Elliot, Big City, debuted August 26th, 2014. Mike currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
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July 16, 2016Рисунките са майсторски - сами по себе си красиви и детайлни, за дълго взиране и обсъждане, но и умело разказващи, с много смени в настроението и ъгъла, с внимателно обмислена роля в цялостната история - някъде по-просторни и монотонни, другаде по-пищни и динамични. Страшно ми хареса.
October 3, 2025
Little Elliot, Big City saw our elephant friend come to a new place and find a companion, but what will Elliot do when Mouse isn't around? Mouse is excited because his family is gathering for a reunion. Old-fashioned food and hundreds of relatives sounds wonderful to Elliot, but as Mouse leaves to meet his family, Elliot feels hollow. With no one around today to engage with, Elephant goes for an extended morning constitutional in the city.
Families of all types adorn the metropolis: boys playing baseball, fathers and daughters in the park, ice skaters trying tricks at the public rink. How would Elliot feel if he had a family to create memories with? He purchases a ticket for the cinema, but can't escape feeling there's a hole in his life. He can hardly wait to see Mouse after the family reunion concludes...but perhaps Mouse has a better idea than Elliot could even hope for.
Whether you come from a happy family or not, when you're alone it can sting to see others with theirs, fashioning memories they'll look back on for years. But invest yourself in finding loved ones, whether biological family or dear friends, and the hole you felt will be filled by something as good as you could ever have. The loneliness monster that yawned big and scary will be a dim recollection once you find others glad to chase it away.
Mike Curato writes by tapping into his own feelings of rejection dating back to childhood, and it adds credibility and depth to the stories he spins. Little Elliot, Big Family is at least as beautiful as the first book about Elliot, an emotional journey stunningly illustrated. Bravo, Mr. Curato.
Families of all types adorn the metropolis: boys playing baseball, fathers and daughters in the park, ice skaters trying tricks at the public rink. How would Elliot feel if he had a family to create memories with? He purchases a ticket for the cinema, but can't escape feeling there's a hole in his life. He can hardly wait to see Mouse after the family reunion concludes...but perhaps Mouse has a better idea than Elliot could even hope for.
Whether you come from a happy family or not, when you're alone it can sting to see others with theirs, fashioning memories they'll look back on for years. But invest yourself in finding loved ones, whether biological family or dear friends, and the hole you felt will be filled by something as good as you could ever have. The loneliness monster that yawned big and scary will be a dim recollection once you find others glad to chase it away.
Mike Curato writes by tapping into his own feelings of rejection dating back to childhood, and it adds credibility and depth to the stories he spins. Little Elliot, Big Family is at least as beautiful as the first book about Elliot, an emotional journey stunningly illustrated. Bravo, Mr. Curato.
November 6, 2018
Elliot, the little polka-dotted elephant whose story began in
Little Elliot, Big City
, returns in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures. Happily living with his new friend Mouse, whom he met in the preceding tale, Elliot becomes disconsolate when Mouse leaves for a family reunion, and he once again finds himself alone. With a roommate who has parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins, Elliot's own family-less state seems twice as lonely. Wandering the city, he sees families of all kinds, but none for him. Even a visit to the cinema reminds him of his solitude. And then, walking home, he encounters Mouse, and is included in a most unexpected family (and family event)...
Like its predecessor, Little Elliot, Big Family is a charming book, one which features beautiful artwork and an engaging tale of finding family in unlikely places. I appreciated the view offered of a vintage 1940s-style New York City, and the diverse families that Elliot encounters in his wanderings. Mike Curato's artwork continues to remind me a bit of Chris Van Allsburg, which is high praise indeed, coming from me. The story offers a gentle lesson in the importance of family, the diversity of families (including the human family), and the need at times to find family in non-traditional ways. I am delighted that there is a forthcoming Little Elliot book, Little Elliot, Big Fun , due out later this year. I will definitely be picking up a copy!
Like its predecessor, Little Elliot, Big Family is a charming book, one which features beautiful artwork and an engaging tale of finding family in unlikely places. I appreciated the view offered of a vintage 1940s-style New York City, and the diverse families that Elliot encounters in his wanderings. Mike Curato's artwork continues to remind me a bit of Chris Van Allsburg, which is high praise indeed, coming from me. The story offers a gentle lesson in the importance of family, the diversity of families (including the human family), and the need at times to find family in non-traditional ways. I am delighted that there is a forthcoming Little Elliot book, Little Elliot, Big Fun , due out later this year. I will definitely be picking up a copy!
April 18, 2018
Вижте кой ни маха с днес с петнистото си хоботче. Елиът, малкото слонче с голямо сърце! Дело на талантливия илюстратор Майк Кюрито, поредицата за Малкия Елиът си е спечелила много почитатели по целия свят. А ето, че спечели и нас с книжката „Малкият Елиът и голямото семейство” (изд. „Прозорец”)
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September 4, 2016
Elliot and Mouse are still room-mates in the city, but Mouse has a big family reunion coming up, so Elliot makes plans to do things on his own for the day. However, he misses his friend and the family he doesn't know. But just when it looks like he's going to have a lonely day, Mouse shows up, realizing that his family reunion was missing someone.
Again, Mr. Curato manages to tell a great tale of friendship and family who isn't blood, but belong just the same. Also a good reminder for adults and kids not to take those friends for granted.
No content issues.
February 22, 2017
Безкрайно нежна, мила, добра книжка - трогателна история, емоционална, разкошни внушителни картинки, сладурска, романтична, а героите са такива душички!! Много, много ми хареса и благодаря на Стефан, че насочи вниманието ми! Прекрасна изненада на българския пазар! Препоръчвам и аз!
October 28, 2015
“Elliot wondered what it would be like to have 147 cousins. Or even just one.”
The new addition to the Elliot series is just as adorable and wonderful as the first–and this one packs a huge emotional wallop. Elliot’s best friend Mouse goes off to his family reunion, where he will celebrate with his “parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins.” Left alone, Elliot begins to walk around the city, where it seems like everyone except him is having fun with their families. He begins to feel lonelier and lonelier, until at last he finds a family who welcomes him with open (albeit tiny) arms.
Little Elliot, Big Family is an poignantly-told tale of how finding a place to truly belong can overcome loneliness and isolation. Gorgeously paced, the slowly-unfolding story envelops the reader in Elliot’s world, and the spare text lets the beautiful images convey the emotional impact.
Curato’s soft, sweet illustrations help convey Elliot’s loneliness, as he is dwarfed by the hugeness of the city around him. Unlike how most of us think of New York City, the one Elliot lives in is sparsely populated, and the large, empty spaces around him help the reader feel his isolation. The spread accompanying the quote at the beginning shows Elliot, shrouded in shadow and back to the reader, looking out at the Statue of Liberty–his smallness and aloneness is palpable. Curato’s attention to detail gives the story a lighthearted touch–check out the “portraits” of various sweet treats (including some very familiar images) hanging on Elliot’s wall, the subway ads, and all the little personalities and objects that are displayed in Mouse’s family reunion. And oh, those endpapers!
I saw so much of the immigrant experience reflected in this story–the loneliness, isolation, and feeling out-of-place. Though young readers might not make that connection, they will readily identify with Elliot’s heartache and ultimately happiness at being included, and many will understand that they are not alone–family can be found in unexpected places.
Ages 3-7.
The new addition to the Elliot series is just as adorable and wonderful as the first–and this one packs a huge emotional wallop. Elliot’s best friend Mouse goes off to his family reunion, where he will celebrate with his “parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins.” Left alone, Elliot begins to walk around the city, where it seems like everyone except him is having fun with their families. He begins to feel lonelier and lonelier, until at last he finds a family who welcomes him with open (albeit tiny) arms.
Little Elliot, Big Family is an poignantly-told tale of how finding a place to truly belong can overcome loneliness and isolation. Gorgeously paced, the slowly-unfolding story envelops the reader in Elliot’s world, and the spare text lets the beautiful images convey the emotional impact.
Curato’s soft, sweet illustrations help convey Elliot’s loneliness, as he is dwarfed by the hugeness of the city around him. Unlike how most of us think of New York City, the one Elliot lives in is sparsely populated, and the large, empty spaces around him help the reader feel his isolation. The spread accompanying the quote at the beginning shows Elliot, shrouded in shadow and back to the reader, looking out at the Statue of Liberty–his smallness and aloneness is palpable. Curato’s attention to detail gives the story a lighthearted touch–check out the “portraits” of various sweet treats (including some very familiar images) hanging on Elliot’s wall, the subway ads, and all the little personalities and objects that are displayed in Mouse’s family reunion. And oh, those endpapers!
I saw so much of the immigrant experience reflected in this story–the loneliness, isolation, and feeling out-of-place. Though young readers might not make that connection, they will readily identify with Elliot’s heartache and ultimately happiness at being included, and many will understand that they are not alone–family can be found in unexpected places.
Ages 3-7.
October 16, 2015
Wonderful! We love Little Elliot. A sweet story of family both the family you're born into and who becomes your family.
Mouse is going to his family reunion with hundreds of relatives. Elliot walks around the city and sees moms, dads, sisters, brothers, uncles and grandmothers and becomes quite sad. He goes to a movie and is alone in the theatre and he misses mouse terribly, then he hears his name and it's Mouse. Mouse tells Elliot he's part of Mouse's family.
Mouse is going to his family reunion with hundreds of relatives. Elliot walks around the city and sees moms, dads, sisters, brothers, uncles and grandmothers and becomes quite sad. He goes to a movie and is alone in the theatre and he misses mouse terribly, then he hears his name and it's Mouse. Mouse tells Elliot he's part of Mouse's family.
November 23, 2015
These Little Elliot titles seem like they should be just too sweet and not quite work. But instead, they are absolutely sweet and completely capture the reader. No overly sugary after taste. Just big breath, full heart moments. Well done Mike Curato, you have something amazing figured out.
November 10, 2015
Love Elliot, love mouse, love this book.
August 26, 2019
Εξαιρετικό, μακαρί να ήταν πολλά περισσότερα της ίδιας σειράς μεταφρασμένα στα ελληνικά. 🐘🐭❤️
November 13, 2017
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Today’s book is Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato, a story about the family we have and the family we make.
The second book in the Little Elliot series, the story opens with Elliot (a small, spotted elephant who lives in NYC) and his best friend and roommate Mouse waking to a lovely winter day. Mouse is in a rush; his family reunion is today, and he’s looking forward to seeing his two hundred-odd family members. Elliot sees him off, but immediately feels a bit lonely once his pal is gone. Going for a walk around the city doesn’t help much: everywhere he goes, he sees families spending time together. He even goes to see a movie, but is left in tears at the sight of an elephant family on the screen. Venturing back out into the snow, he is stopped by Mouse, who has missed him as well. Mouse invites Elliot to his family reunion, where everyone has a lovely time. And when the time comes to take the family portrait, the many mice find that there is plenty of room for a little elephant to squeeze in. After all, Elliot is family.
We have loved the Elliot books so far, which are sweet yet touching, and have a lovely, gentle innocence to the story and art. Elliot’s loneliness is so palpable through the text and illustrations, and readers would be hard-pressed to not sympathize with the sensitive little elephant. I also love that this is a book about found family, which is great for children whose families are not strictly biological. This is a story that children of blended families, adoption, or foster families might relate to, and that’s wonderful. The length is perfect, and JJ loved the “effent,” so this one is definitely Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
April 23, 2019
Genin De La Pena
04/23/19
Annotated Bibliography
Curato, Mike, and Brad Smith. Little Elliot, Big Family. Scholastic, 2016.
Little Elliot would be perfect for the age group of early childhood education. It includes a lot of imagery and comprehendible diction that would be great for children. Although, when I read this book, I felt it is perfect for all age groups. It teaches us a moral that even adults need a reminder about sometimes.
This book has a lot of good characteristics such as teaching a moral and good use of imagery. The moral in this book talks about how blood doesn’t make family. Little Elliot was very sad because he didn’t have a big family to reunite with like the mouse did. Quickly he realized that he doesn’t need a big family because the mouse is his family and that is all that matters.
It is very important for children to understand if they don’t have a family, that it is okay. Love is what makes a family and it is important for them to know that. I like how this book uses images and animals to better translate it to children.
04/23/19
Annotated Bibliography
Curato, Mike, and Brad Smith. Little Elliot, Big Family. Scholastic, 2016.
Little Elliot would be perfect for the age group of early childhood education. It includes a lot of imagery and comprehendible diction that would be great for children. Although, when I read this book, I felt it is perfect for all age groups. It teaches us a moral that even adults need a reminder about sometimes.
This book has a lot of good characteristics such as teaching a moral and good use of imagery. The moral in this book talks about how blood doesn’t make family. Little Elliot was very sad because he didn’t have a big family to reunite with like the mouse did. Quickly he realized that he doesn’t need a big family because the mouse is his family and that is all that matters.
It is very important for children to understand if they don’t have a family, that it is okay. Love is what makes a family and it is important for them to know that. I like how this book uses images and animals to better translate it to children.
August 17, 2021
Little Elliot, the polka-dotted elephant, woke up at a bright winter day. His friend, Mouse would had a big family reunion that day.
After Mouse left, Elliot's house suddenly felt quiet and empty. Little Elliot who was all alone in that city before he met Mouse, once again had to cope with loneliness. He wondered how it feels to have a big family, how it feels to have a real family. Even a cute elephant like Elliot could feel lonely, but it was only a matter of time when he would meet his consolation. A new big family.
Likewise the previous book "Little Elliot, Big City", this title also has that longing and gloomy atmosphere, yet heartwarming. The colour palettes and other elements illustrations are a bit dark, contrasted to Elliot and Mouse who both are painted white and so cute.
Elliot's story matches Sabio's preferences a lot. Sabio loves a story which features animals, especially cute animal, lion, tiger, and/or T-rex.
After Mouse left, Elliot's house suddenly felt quiet and empty. Little Elliot who was all alone in that city before he met Mouse, once again had to cope with loneliness. He wondered how it feels to have a big family, how it feels to have a real family. Even a cute elephant like Elliot could feel lonely, but it was only a matter of time when he would meet his consolation. A new big family.
Likewise the previous book "Little Elliot, Big City", this title also has that longing and gloomy atmosphere, yet heartwarming. The colour palettes and other elements illustrations are a bit dark, contrasted to Elliot and Mouse who both are painted white and so cute.
Elliot's story matches Sabio's preferences a lot. Sabio loves a story which features animals, especially cute animal, lion, tiger, and/or T-rex.
June 3, 2017
A continuation of the much-beloved Little Elliot series, Big Family brings readers another adventure with the most adorable polka-dotted elephant in the world, Elliot. It is time for his best friend Mouse to attend its family reunion, leaving Elliot alone to wander the city for the day. As Elliot roams a 1940s, multicultural, multigenerational New York City, he reflects on all the different kinds of families he sees, and his lack of one. After a visit to a movie theatre, where he watches a film about a family of elephants, he feels truly alone. Luckily, Mouse is there to save the day. Curato’s old-timey illustration style is used to great effect throughout and brings a frosty day in the big city to life. This is a recommended addition to children’s collections, especially those that already have the other Little Elliot books.
September 12, 2018
This story is about a lonely elephant in a big city. He has no family, but one mouse friend. He walks around the city seeing families all day long and begins to wish he had a family of his own. Eventually, the mouse finds him and invites him to come back to meet his family, giving the elephant a home.
This story was difficult for me to decide if I liked because most of it was very sad. The pictures were very dark and gloomy and the character was very sad. Though it had a happy ending, the whole book just had a sad mood.
This book could be used in a classroom to teach about families. While the elephant walks around the city, the author describes all the families and the names of each member (aunt, cousin, ect.). It could also teach a lesson of compassion, as the mouse had compassion toward the elephant by inviting him home.
This story was difficult for me to decide if I liked because most of it was very sad. The pictures were very dark and gloomy and the character was very sad. Though it had a happy ending, the whole book just had a sad mood.
This book could be used in a classroom to teach about families. While the elephant walks around the city, the author describes all the families and the names of each member (aunt, cousin, ect.). It could also teach a lesson of compassion, as the mouse had compassion toward the elephant by inviting him home.
June 5, 2020
What a wonderful story about inclusion!!
Elliot is an elephant with a best friend, Mouse. At the story’s onset, Mouse is preparing for his family reunion—with his “parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins.” He was mostly looking forward to his grandmothers cheese chowder. (Can’t say as soon blame him...yum!)
Elliot decides to walk around the city (NYC from the lovely illustrations), and as he roams he sees all different sizes and types of families. After awhile, Elliot is overcome by loneliness as he has no large family and he misses his friend Mouse.
SPOILER —-
However, soon after, Mouse finds Elliot and brings him to the reunion and he has a splendid time. He even becomes a member of the family and his face on the final page is of pure joy.
A lovely story about inclusion and family.
Elliot is an elephant with a best friend, Mouse. At the story’s onset, Mouse is preparing for his family reunion—with his “parents, grandparents, 15 brothers, 19 sisters, 25 aunts, 27 uncles, and 147 cousins.” He was mostly looking forward to his grandmothers cheese chowder. (Can’t say as soon blame him...yum!)
Elliot decides to walk around the city (NYC from the lovely illustrations), and as he roams he sees all different sizes and types of families. After awhile, Elliot is overcome by loneliness as he has no large family and he misses his friend Mouse.
SPOILER —-
However, soon after, Mouse finds Elliot and brings him to the reunion and he has a splendid time. He even becomes a member of the family and his face on the final page is of pure joy.
A lovely story about inclusion and family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2018
Elliot's best friend mouse is going to a family reunion to see his gigantic family. Meanwhile, Elliot travels around the city alone and sees families all around. Just as Elliot is beginning to feel very lonely, MOuse returns and takes Elliot to the family reunion too. By the end of the book, Elliot has been accepted as part of the family as well.
I thought that this book was super sweet. The illustrations of New York City were beautiful. I love the emphasis that this story placed on family, both biological and those you choose to include.
I would use this book to introduce the idea of family and community within our classroom to my students. I would also like to have the students describe their own families either through pictures or writing.
I thought that this book was super sweet. The illustrations of New York City were beautiful. I love the emphasis that this story placed on family, both biological and those you choose to include.
I would use this book to introduce the idea of family and community within our classroom to my students. I would also like to have the students describe their own families either through pictures or writing.
March 2, 2017
This is a review for Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato. This book is about a little elephant named Elliot and his best friend mouse. In this story, mouse goes to his family reunion and while he is gone Elliot walks through out the city looking at the different families that he sees. As he is seeing all these families he is sad because he doesn't have a family. Then, mouse finds him and brings him to his family reunion and Elliot feels like he is apart of a family. I really liked this story and I thought it was cute. I thought this book had a good message and it would be something that children could benefit from. I also loved the illustrations and I think younger children would enjoy them as well. I would use this book with a client to target sequencing events, answering "wh" questions, and predicting.
October 29, 2020
Another precious and too cute for words adventure with Little Elliot and Mouse. I love that Elliot’s friend Mouse has a little notch out one ear and that Elliot goes to see a movie called Jungle Adventure and I want to try some of grandma Mouse’s cheese chowder (it’s sounds delicious). I love that Elliot & Mouse now live together and that Mouse’s big family is so accepting of Elliot. I love the diversity illustrated in the big city and that Elliot has popcorn at the movie. And there’s even another cupcake (I’m sensing a reoccurring theme).
June 27, 2019
When Mouse goes to his family reunion, Little Elliott wanders the streets of New York and sees all the different families around the city. He misses Mouse and wonders what it would be like to have a cousin of his own. As he walks out into the snow, he hears his name. It’s Mouse! “I missed you!”
And Mouse takes Elliott to his family reunion, where everyone gave him a warm welcome. And in the end, Elliott is accepted as a member of the family.
Adorable illustrations and a heartfelt message.
And Mouse takes Elliott to his family reunion, where everyone gave him a warm welcome. And in the end, Elliott is accepted as a member of the family.
Adorable illustrations and a heartfelt message.
March 22, 2022
Elliot loves this book, and it’s not only because he shares the name of the adorable polka-dotted elephant. Little Elliot misses his best friend Mouse when Mouse heads to his family reunion. Everywhere Elliot goes through old New York City, families are together, but he doesn’t have a family. But Mouse returns to invite Elliot and they have lots of fun together.
Recommended read-aloud: preschool and up
Recommended read-aloud: preschool and up
October 22, 2017
Elliot's friend, Mouse, went to his very large mouse family reunion, leaving Elliot home alone. Elliot went for a walk in the city, noticing many different families together. He felt lonely. When someone called his name everything changed for the better for him.
Lovely story of friendship and acceptance. Delightful illustrations.
Lovely story of friendship and acceptance. Delightful illustrations.
March 10, 2018
Little Elliot, a small spotted pachyderm who lives in what might by NYC in the 1940's, has no extended family but his small friend mouse has relatives in spades. Elliot wanders the city the day of mouse's reunion and winds up lonely and cold and bored, that is until mouse's inclusive family welcomes him to their festivities.
July 14, 2025
This is a rather odd book.
Pros: Great illustrations; Elliot the polka-dotted elephant is very cute. The story serves as an introduction to all kinds of families (biological, chosen) and the value of our friendships.
Cons: I did not understand the reasoning of depicting the story as taking place in the 1930s.
Still, the little ones will like it.
Pros: Great illustrations; Elliot the polka-dotted elephant is very cute. The story serves as an introduction to all kinds of families (biological, chosen) and the value of our friendships.
Cons: I did not understand the reasoning of depicting the story as taking place in the 1930s.
Still, the little ones will like it.
August 18, 2017
An adorable, if not melancholy, title in the Little Elliot series.
Kid Appeal: cute pictures, love those mice!, kids will understand how Elliot feels isolated using both the text and illustrations
Curriculum Connections: family members, friends
Audience: PK-2nd
Kid Appeal: cute pictures, love those mice!, kids will understand how Elliot feels isolated using both the text and illustrations
Curriculum Connections: family members, friends
Audience: PK-2nd
October 16, 2017
Elliot's friend Mouse is heading off to a family reunion and he lists the hundres of cousins, siblings, aunts and uncles who will be there. When Elliot goes for a walk he becomes melancholy when he sees all kinds of families out doing things together. Then he gets welcomed into a family.
January 13, 2018
Adorable illustrations. Easy, humorous narrative. The loveliest thing about this impressive little book is the magnificent, intentional display of diverse human families in a story starring an polka-dotted elephant who yearns for a family.
January 15, 2019
I'm confident that Mr Curato is incapable of writing about my little friend Elliot in a way that I do not love. Whether he's having big fun at the carnival, exploring the big city, or, in this book, being welcomed into Mouse's big family, I love it all. That's all.
March 1, 2019
I like the creative way Mike works in the names of his friends and family.
Great perspective, at times showing from Elliott's point of view, then again showing how small Elliot is the world around him.
Great perspective, at times showing from Elliott's point of view, then again showing how small Elliot is the world around him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews