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Poe Won't Go
When an elephant plants himself in the road and refuses to move, the people of Prickly Valley try all sorts of methods to get him to go-but one thoughtful little girl works up the courage to do what no one else has done: ask him.
Balancing both hilarity and sensitivity, Poe Won't Go has the feel of a contemporary classic, reminding readers that there is power in one, power in listening, and power in being a friend.
Balancing both hilarity and sensitivity, Poe Won't Go has the feel of a contemporary classic, reminding readers that there is power in one, power in listening, and power in being a friend.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 2018
3 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Kelly DiPucchio
54 books258 followersKelly is the award-winning author of several children’s books, thousands of To-Do lists, and a few recipe cards. Two of her books, Grace For President and The Sandwich Swap, were New York Times bestsellers.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
January 11, 2021
Oy vey! Why is this gigantic pink elephant blocking traffic, and how do we get him to leave?
One little hijab-wearing girl dares to pose the question the whole town's been dying to ask.
A very cute story with a delightful little surprise at the end.
One little hijab-wearing girl dares to pose the question the whole town's been dying to ask.
A very cute story with a delightful little surprise at the end.
October 13, 2018
Poe Won't Go arrives in stores on October 16th and I can't wait for the world to read it!
I adore both Kelly DiPucchio and Zachariah Ohora, and wow! Poe Won't Go's hysterical story will resonate with everyone!
No matter how many tactics or techniques the townspeople use on Poe the elephant, he won't leave.
"As the day wore on, the townspeople grew more clever. They brought in mice...and magnets...and motivational speakers. Copters...and cranes...and clowns with horn squeakers. But there wasn't a pastor or a plow in town who knew how to get Poe to go."
Filled with hilarious attempts to move Poe and illustrations that enhance the humor, this book is the kind of book kids will want to read over and over again. And the solution? A kid who is willing to listen. Poe is the kind of elephant a kid will root for and that's what reading is all about.
What makes Poe Won't Go work?
1. The Rule of Three.
Kelly DiPucchio uses the rule of 3 throughout the book. For example: "People begged. And booed. And bribed." and "Horns honked. People yelled from their cars. A policeman wrote his a ticket."
2.A Repeated Phrase
In this case: "But Poe wouldn't go." is repeated and slightly varied throughout the book. It's a perfect line for kids to repeat with the reader.
3. Playful language
'"We do not tolerate parked pachyderms in Princkly Valley!" She proclaimed.'
4. Perfect Marriage of Text and Illustrations
"Seriously? Catch me if you can, POE! The townspeople were fresh out of ideas. And Poe? Well...you know." (illustration of a rollerskating girl in a peanut costume!)
You'll have to check out the book to really appreciate this one!
5. An Unexpected Ending
Something for you to look forward to when you read it...
I adore both Kelly DiPucchio and Zachariah Ohora, and wow! Poe Won't Go's hysterical story will resonate with everyone!
No matter how many tactics or techniques the townspeople use on Poe the elephant, he won't leave.
"As the day wore on, the townspeople grew more clever. They brought in mice...and magnets...and motivational speakers. Copters...and cranes...and clowns with horn squeakers. But there wasn't a pastor or a plow in town who knew how to get Poe to go."
Filled with hilarious attempts to move Poe and illustrations that enhance the humor, this book is the kind of book kids will want to read over and over again. And the solution? A kid who is willing to listen. Poe is the kind of elephant a kid will root for and that's what reading is all about.
What makes Poe Won't Go work?
1. The Rule of Three.
Kelly DiPucchio uses the rule of 3 throughout the book. For example: "People begged. And booed. And bribed." and "Horns honked. People yelled from their cars. A policeman wrote his a ticket."
2.A Repeated Phrase
In this case: "But Poe wouldn't go." is repeated and slightly varied throughout the book. It's a perfect line for kids to repeat with the reader.
3. Playful language
'"We do not tolerate parked pachyderms in Princkly Valley!" She proclaimed.'
4. Perfect Marriage of Text and Illustrations
"Seriously? Catch me if you can, POE! The townspeople were fresh out of ideas. And Poe? Well...you know." (illustration of a rollerskating girl in a peanut costume!)
You'll have to check out the book to really appreciate this one!
5. An Unexpected Ending
Something for you to look forward to when you read it...
November 19, 2018
The illustrations are delightful and pretty much follow and support the text (until the ending). The people of Prickly Valley are a diverse bunch. The story has some silliness kids would like (there's an elephant sitting in the road!), but I've been pondering who the audience would be. I don't think it's preschoolers with the longer text and some unknowns such as motivational speaker. Sometimes there's something to keep adults interested that I don't think most kids would get(the pastor saying'get thee behind me, Poe, the mayor forming committees and councils). The resolution of asking and listening to Poe is good, but the rest of the ending is perplexing. I went back through the illustrations to see if there were a hint of polka-dot tie. Nope, nothing. An odd ending when there's nothing to lead you there.
November 14, 2018
I love both the author and illustrator and I kind of liked this story until the very end. However, there were absolutely no visual clues to the ending; no clues as to how the reporter noticed Poe's friend. I understand that the emphasis was supposed to be on the little girl asking Poe why he wouldn't move and listening to Poe for an answer, but the resolution came out of nowhere without any redeeming qualities. I just didn't get it.
February 10, 2019
Relyn Rating: 3.5 stars
This book is full of the kind of delightful nonsense kids adore, and most grown-ups simply tolerate. This one will be a hoot to read to my Kindergarten students.
This book is full of the kind of delightful nonsense kids adore, and most grown-ups simply tolerate. This one will be a hoot to read to my Kindergarten students.
October 17, 2018
A premise worth sharing with children and adults alike: when an elephant (in the room? Or, in DiPucchio's story, in the middle of a town) won't budge, most people's response is to use force, coercion, insistence, and the power of some authority. The elephant named Poe is a problem that needs fixing.
But a young, brown-skinned child named Marigold has a different, transformative approach. "Has anyone asked Poe why he won't go?" With listening, compassion, and curiosity, Marigold comes to understand that Poe's refusal to move is based on a simple need -- that the townspeople can help meet. Instead of treating Poe's behavior as a disciplinary issue, Marigold relates to Poe as a being whose needs deserve to be heard and addressed.
This book lost a star because of a spread featuring "the Amazing Carl", a magician wearing a racist stereotype (turban, pointy beard, olive skin; the hallmarks of the "ethnic mystic" that so often is a caricature of non-white people).
But a young, brown-skinned child named Marigold has a different, transformative approach. "Has anyone asked Poe why he won't go?" With listening, compassion, and curiosity, Marigold comes to understand that Poe's refusal to move is based on a simple need -- that the townspeople can help meet. Instead of treating Poe's behavior as a disciplinary issue, Marigold relates to Poe as a being whose needs deserve to be heard and addressed.
This book lost a star because of a spread featuring "the Amazing Carl", a magician wearing a racist stereotype (turban, pointy beard, olive skin; the hallmarks of the "ethnic mystic" that so often is a caricature of non-white people).
December 13, 2018
A wonderful lesson in how we can over complicate things. Sometimes what appears to be a difficult problem has a very simple solution.
February 28, 2018
I asked Kelly if I could have an F&G of this book for the sole purpose of cutting it up. Zachariah Ohora provides really neat visuals in the books he has done with other authors (yes, we have cut up Ohora before with Wolfie Bunny).
But, DiPucchio's story here is just plain fun! Okay. . .an elephant named Poe shows up in the middle of traffic one day. And he won't move. And DiPucchio brings in a whole cast of characters and a host of techniques and strategies to get Poe to move on. Younger readers will delight in the attempts and the folly. Older readers sharing the book with younger readers will find the sight and linguistic gags that are peppered through the story.
Essentially, this picture book is about the power of suggesting that we simply ask why someone is doing something or behaving in a particular manner. And then. . .listen.
That person. . .or elephant. . .may be just waiting for a friend.
Oh. . .and we are totally cutting up this book.
But, DiPucchio's story here is just plain fun! Okay. . .an elephant named Poe shows up in the middle of traffic one day. And he won't move. And DiPucchio brings in a whole cast of characters and a host of techniques and strategies to get Poe to move on. Younger readers will delight in the attempts and the folly. Older readers sharing the book with younger readers will find the sight and linguistic gags that are peppered through the story.
Essentially, this picture book is about the power of suggesting that we simply ask why someone is doing something or behaving in a particular manner. And then. . .listen.
That person. . .or elephant. . .may be just waiting for a friend.
Oh. . .and we are totally cutting up this book.
October 19, 2018
Kelly DiPucchio is the best.
July 2, 2019
Don't let the title fool you; this is not a goofy children's book about using the potty for the first time or bathroom rituals. Instead it is a story about an elephant who blocks traffic by sitting in the middle of a very busy street. Who can convince the elephant to move?
Children will enjoy the zaniness and adults will enjoy the illustrations of the many characters who try to convince elephant to go.
Children will enjoy the zaniness and adults will enjoy the illustrations of the many characters who try to convince elephant to go.
March 11, 2019
I can see younger kids giggling at this story.
January 28, 2021
I felt bad for Poe. Talking with him may have been easier than trying to make him go. It is a good thing others finally spoke with him & I am always good with a happy ending.
March 6, 2018
DiPucchio is a family and classroom favorite and Poe Won't Go is definitely going to be a new staple in both places. Poe is an elephant that has planted himself in the middle of a town causing HUGE problems, but he doesn't talk and no one can get him to move. When finally, one caring little girl listens to Poe and the problem is solved. The kids loved Poe and Moe and wanted to help Poe throughout the story. Very sweet. We love it!
November 29, 2018
I was really digging this book right up until the end. You can't have a reveal like that in a children's book without any indication that it is coming. We need to see that tie poking out or something (kids will certainly ask).
December 29, 2018
very odd ending. It was nice to see a girl nice enough to ask why the elephant wont leave
also worth mentioning that there is a very diverse group of people are in this book.
but the ending...it left us meh.
also worth mentioning that there is a very diverse group of people are in this book.
but the ending...it left us meh.
January 19, 2019
Plus: The heroine wears a hijab.
Minus: The ending is confusing and leaves several questions that I couldn't find an answer to. So be prepared for children to ask you how the reporter knew and how the monkey survived.
Minus: The ending is confusing and leaves several questions that I couldn't find an answer to. So be prepared for children to ask you how the reporter knew and how the monkey survived.
June 4, 2019
This picture books feels like it is breaking all the rules. As the story opens, there is an elephant in the middle of the road. The elephant's name is Poe. Poe is blocking traffic and preventing all the adults from getting on with their day. They try and try to get Poe to go, but nothing works. There are no kids in the story at least for the whole first 3/4ths. You might think the main character is Poe, but Poe's only role is to sit in the road. The adults feel like they are the main characters, but there's tons of them.
We all know, sometimes, it takes a child to solve the problem. In this story, we see the MC on the title page, but not again until 3/4ths of the way through the book. So clever. I would expect nothing less from he author of Zombies in Love.
Zachariah Ohora's signiture style adds to the humor and cleverness of this fun story.
We all know, sometimes, it takes a child to solve the problem. In this story, we see the MC on the title page, but not again until 3/4ths of the way through the book. So clever. I would expect nothing less from he author of Zombies in Love.
Zachariah Ohora's signiture style adds to the humor and cleverness of this fun story.
June 18, 2019
“One morning, the good people of Prickly Valley awoke to find an elephant sitting smack-dab in the middle of the only road in town.”
No one knows where the elephant came from or why he is sitting there. The whole town only knows that he needs to leave. He’s blocking traffic and causing all kinds of delays. But not matter what they try (mice, water, a man dressed as a peanut), they can’t seem to get Poe to move. Then Marigold suggests that they ask Poe why he won’t go. “... anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough.” We she listens to the elephant they discover that Poe is waiting for a friend.
A sweet story about seeking to understand someone rather than just demanding something of them.
No one knows where the elephant came from or why he is sitting there. The whole town only knows that he needs to leave. He’s blocking traffic and causing all kinds of delays. But not matter what they try (mice, water, a man dressed as a peanut), they can’t seem to get Poe to move. Then Marigold suggests that they ask Poe why he won’t go. “... anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough.” We she listens to the elephant they discover that Poe is waiting for a friend.
A sweet story about seeking to understand someone rather than just demanding something of them.
November 30, 2019
The town of Prickly Valley is in a bit of a pickle. They only have one road in town and it's currently blocked by Poe, the elephant. No one can get around him and no matter what anyone does that can't get around him. Eventually the mayor shows up and exclaims that they don't "tolerate parked pachyderms". Finally a little girl shows up and ask the mayor if anyone has bothered to ask the elephant why he won't go? The mayor scoffs and claims she doesn't speak elephant. The young girl climbs up, is very, very quiet, and listens to Poe. She finally understands that he's waiting for someone. With that information the villagers are able to help Poe move along.
I think an attempt was made to have this story rhyme. I could not find a rhythm. But definitely recommended for storytime.
I think an attempt was made to have this story rhyme. I could not find a rhythm. But definitely recommended for storytime.
August 12, 2021
Elephant, problem solving, listening - Poe the elephant is sitting in the middle of the main street of Prickly Valley. Traffic is stopped. The angry mayor doesn't know what to do? What would you do? How do you get a huge elephant to move out of the middle of the road. Marigold knows. She doesn't know how to speak elephant, but she has learned to speak kitten and hedgehog. She says, "Anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough." I won't ruin the story for you, but I will say that I love this book because it treats children as worthy of respect and I have found that if I listen to children with respect, I have learned an awful lot about the world and have been able to solve elephant-sized problems.
November 28, 2020
I sympathize with Poe, an oversized elephant who can’t find his friend. So he plops in the middle of a busy intersection, impeding traffic for quite some time and refusing to budge regardless of the incentive.
After one young, empathetic villager actually asks the elephant what’s wrong, we discover Poe has been sitting on his friend this whole time. I was both alarmed that Moe had suffocated and relieved that he was found.
With characteristic OHora painterly style, the illustrations are colorful and bold and delightful.
After one young, empathetic villager actually asks the elephant what’s wrong, we discover Poe has been sitting on his friend this whole time. I was both alarmed that Moe had suffocated and relieved that he was found.
With characteristic OHora painterly style, the illustrations are colorful and bold and delightful.
August 28, 2022
You've heard of the elephant in the room--this story is about an elephant in the middle of the only road in town. As the Prickly Valley populace increasingly grows frustrated with the situation, they go to more and more extreme measures to drive, prod, or otherwise expel Poe the pachyderm--to no avail--until one thoughtful girl wonders if there's maybe a better way forward. If you enjoy the ridiculous with a helping side of kindness (as kids and myself do), you'll also enjoy this tale of mice, motivational speakers, clowns, pastors, plows, The Amazing Carl--and even a bit of monkey business.
June 30, 2019
Loved this book by one of our favorite authors and one of our favorite illustrators. Poe Won’t Go shows a community coming together to fix a problem...but since know one asks questions or takes the time to listen, they’re unable to find a solution. Thankfully, a little girl (and an assist by a journalist) finally figure out why Poe refuses to go. Smart writing. Gorgeous illustrations (although, I sort of didn’t like Poe’s color and style - he could have been cuter!).
July 4, 2020
When an elephant plants himself in the road and refuses to move, the people of Prickly Valley try all sorts of methods to get him to go-but one thoughtful little girl works up the courage to do what no one else has done: ask him.
Balancing both hilarity and sensitivity, Poe Won't Go has the feel of a contemporary classic, reminding readers that there is power in one, power in listening, and power in being a friend.
Balancing both hilarity and sensitivity, Poe Won't Go has the feel of a contemporary classic, reminding readers that there is power in one, power in listening, and power in being a friend.
August 14, 2020
My daughter enjoyed this silly read about listening. The only issue she had, however, was with the ending. The resolution came out of nowhere and we both felt there should have been some visual clues for it in the story. My daughter went so far as to go back and look at every page to determine how the reporter knew what her did. This book would have received more stars from us if the ending had been better done.
October 17, 2018
Absolutely adorable. I love DiPucchio's books. This one is quite silly, and should have the preschool crowd (and grown-ups) laughing. My favorite line: "'Well, anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough,' said Marigold, who was fluent in both kitten and hedgehog." I also really like the bold lines and bright colors in Ohora's illustrations.
October 31, 2018
Another great one by these two! While it is not my favorite, it is a good book for story time. The kids can keep guessing what's going to happen, where Poe's friend is, and also a great way to talk about feelings (how is poe feeling, how is the community feeling, etc.). Also, I love Ohora's illustrations!!
November 1, 2018
Poe the elephant sits down in the middle of the town and refuses to get up. The town people try everything to get him to move - everything except talking with him. A young girl talks with him and solves the problem with the help of a reporter who knows where Poe's friend might be.
Use for predictions.
Use for predictions.
February 11, 2019
super cute story about a pachyderm that just doesn't want to budge even though the entire town is trying to get him to GO(!). symbolic for today's political climate as well as our own damned blind spots in general, this is a charming tale of stubbornness and democracy in action. it's also a relief to see a brown girl in the lead as the hero (and in a head scarf at that).
July 22, 2019
This was a fun and silly book about a big elephant who won't get out of the way. The message reminds readers to sometimes take a step back and listen to those around us. I think this is a good lesson for adults too. Some good conversation came out of reading this book with my 10 and 11 year old boys. The illustrations remind me of Richard Scary and that is always nice.
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