Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant

by María Girón

“Maybe I can help!” exclaimed Arthur.

At least he hopes he can. But how? What does this forgetful elephant need? Arthur doesn’t know, but he’s determined to find out as he and the elephant share a playful and colorful day.

Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant explores memory loss from the perspective of both those who forget and those around them. With spare writing and poignant art, this story reminds us that compassion and togetherness can make even elephant-sized problems seem a little smaller.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Storytime, Family, Childrens, Animals, Plays

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandpa Elephant forget who he was. He found a friend Arthur that helped thru kindness remember who he was. Your family may be struggling with family members who have become forgetful. How do you explain it? What better way than with an Elephant.

I loved how the author used elephants to bring this home to families. It is family centered with kindness.

A Special thank you to Flyaway Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the artwork, very soothing and gentle with color choices and realistic drawings. The story and the reason behind it made me very sad, but that's because I'm older and sort of worried I'm going to go the way of the elephant.

This type of book is necessary, definitely, but it doesn't dive into reasons or explanations, that is something the adult reading this to the child needs to do. The book is a good starting point, but the adults need to take that springboard and make the connection to the family and their specific situation.

I really liked how sweet and gentle this book was and how it could lead into discussions with a younger child who might not be able to grasp everything that is happening to and with their older loved one. I would recommend this to anyone who has a younger child and is dealing with an older loved one's "forgetfulness". This is a good way to open the communications on a difficult topic.

4, I'm glad there are books like this to help with difficult topics, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Flyaway Books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Arthur encounters an elderly elephant who suffers some sort of dementia. In this gentle read, Arthur helps the elephant have an enjoyable day with Arthur’s own friends and then reunites him with his loving children and grandchildren. A wonderful way to reassure youngsters if their own grandparents or great-grandparents become forgetful.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from Flyaway Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur's bopping along doing his own thing on a gorgeous, sunny day when all of a sudden he feels a raindrop. What? It turns out that it's a teardrop from a an elephant who's crying and having a hard time because he cannot remember who he is or where he lives. Arthur's kindness helps him get through the day, and find his home, but meanwhile they have lots of fun adventures together. This is a simple story that is entertaining and sweet on its own, but can also be used to introduce young children to the concept of memory problems, especially in older adults. The elephant turns out to be a lost grandpa elephant. The illustrations are absolutely adorable - bright and vivid and they will catch the reader's eye and keep kids looking for more. I highly recommend this beautiful picture book!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur is playing outside when he meets an older elephant who cannot remember who he is or where he lives. Arthur understands completely. He has forgotten things, also. So he offers to help the elephant. He suggests that they think of something else. He acknowledges that the problem won't go away but it might feel smaller. And so they play and play and play. Arthur slides down the elephant's trunk for a dip in the pond while elephant gets a drink. They eat some yummy berries. and they play with Arthur's friends -- who lovingly decorate the elephant with chalk drawings. When Arthur takes the elephant home to meet his family, the elephant suddenly remembers - he has a family also! He trumpets and his children and grandchildren come to find their lost grandpa elephant.
I liked how everything happened seamlessly. Arthur, his friends, and his family were not surprised to see an elephant in their neighborhood. Everyone just accepted the elephant and included him in their activities until he remembered. He was treated lovingly. This book is an excellent place to start a conversation with kids about Alzheimer's or dementia.
You could pair this book with What a Beautiful Morning by Arthur A. Levine. I would read Arthur first and then follow up with What a Beautiful Morning.

Thank you to Net Galley and Flyaway books for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC of this book!

#ArthurandtheForgetfulElephant #NetGalley

[Bertha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to introduce young children to memory problems in older adults.The simple illustrations keep children interested.
This book came in handy when a friend used it to discuss this topic with her child.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story about kindness, friendship, family, and grandparents' possible forgetfulness. Seems like a gentle way to introduce little ones to the problems of dementia they might be seeing in their grandparents.

[Agnieszka Łabuz (booksownia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute 🥺💗

[Pía · Rating 5 out of 5]

In luv with this story

[Kara Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, nicely illustrated.

I reread it so apparently I am also forgetful!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Flyaway Books through NetGalley.
Giron offers a look at how it feels to forget elephant size pieces of life. Arthur meets an elephant who can't remember who he is or where he lives. Arthur offers some calm advice about thinking about something else. He and the elephant head off for a day of play together. Arthur's friends join the fun and they all play until the sun sets. Fortunately, the elephant begins to remember his family and calls for them. They come and share their love for him. Arthur and he set a playdate for the next day.
Tender and compassionate way to talk about memory loss issues for young children. Readers see how being calm and continuing to interact and play helps calm both themselves and the older person they know. The illustrations are charming and soothing to support the text.

[Anam Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about an elephant who can't remember (and we all know that an elephant NEVER forgets. None the less, this one does, A little boy named Arthur thinks about how sad he would be if he forgot something and couldn't remember. With compassion he helps the elephant forget his troubles by playing with him. At the end of the day, when Arthur goes home, that jogs the elpehant's memory and he also remembers that he has a family! He finds his way home and is greeted by his children and grandchildren. That is our first hint that the memory loss might be because of his age.

A great book to help a child begin to understand why older family members might repeat themselves or ask the same questions over and over again.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant' with story and art by Maria Giron is a picture book about an aging elephant with a memory problem and the young boy who helps out.

Arthur finds an elephant who can't remember his name or where he lives. Arthur thinks about the times he's forgotten where toys are or lines in school plays. Arthur decides to take the elephant's mind off of his sadness in the hopes that this will help.

It's a cute story about helping out an elder that is lost. Arthur is a likeable young hero in this story. The illustrations are nice.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Flyaway Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Peggy Mollema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the story of a young boy befriending a lost adult elephant. I really enjoyed the boy's acceptance of the elephant without reservation, reminding himself of what he would want under the same circumstances. Illustrations were very evocative of the play of the children, especially how the elephant allowed them to climb all over him, decorating him with chalk. The only thing that was not quite realistic was the way in which the elephant called for his family. This book, however, would be good to introduce children to the concept of older persons with failing memory. My children, now adults, have been blessed to learn to deal with older family members with gentleness and kindness, but not all are so fortunate.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this was just a charming story of a young boy befriending a lost elephant. The elephant has forgotten his very name, and young Arthur offers up one of the most accurate pieces of advice: if you're upset, try to think about something else until you feel better. And the elephant comes right back, wondering whether that will fix the problem or make it go away. Arthur very frankly says no, but sometimes it helps the problem feel a bit smaller or more manageable, and then proceeds to distract the forgetful elephant very effectively.

When Arthur and the elephant find the rest of the elephant's family, the reader realizes that this elephant is not a lost child, but instead is a lost grandfather. And that was the moment when this book just charmed me completely.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more from this. I was expecting a metaphorical story about memory loss and dementia, but this somewhat missed the mark.
The forgetful elephant doesn't remember who he is or where he's from so he goes with Arthur to splash in water, play, and color with chalk. At the end of the story, Arthur goes home to his family which reminds the elephant that he has a family, too. He remembers just a little and goes back home.

I was hoping there'd be more about how to cope with friends or family who are forgetful and have memory loss. I suppose it does help to normalize the idea that some people are incredibly forgetful.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming book teaches the power of bestowing kindness towards one another. Arthur discovers a weeping elephant and finds out that the elephant cannot remember his name or where he is from. Arthur's heart is touched and he reaches out to help the sad elephant however he can. Together they have success and luckily the forgetful pachyderm regains his memory. The threads of helping, memory loss, companionaship and ultimately friendship run throughout the story. It is a lovely tender tale that both the young and old will appreciate and enjoy. The illustrations are full of emotion and so well done. I love them. I highly, highly recommend this book.

[Elles_shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Arthur befriended an elephant who was unable to remember his name. This distressed the elephant; however, Arthur decided to help the elephant. Along the way, Arthur and the elephant become friends. On the end, the elephant remembers that he has a family and Arthur helps reunite the elephant with his family.
This was a beautiful and touching story that can help explain memory loss to children. Many children have loved ones who may experience some form of memory loss and this would definitely help bring about a discussion, especially for younger children.
I wish that something like this would have been around when I was younger and my great grandmother had Alzheimer’s.

[Brittany Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book about the power of play and belonging! Arthur meets an elephant who cannot remember who he is or where he's from. Arthur empathizes with him and decides to help him. But instead of pestering the elephant with questions to jog his memory, Arthur invites him to play. They play and at the end of the day, Arthur goes home to his family. This jogs the elephant's memory, and he remembers he too has a family! He calls for them and the elephant family finds him! The elephant is a partner, father, and grandfather—and now he's friends with Arthur. What a beautiful testament to intergenerational relationships! Also, the art is gorgeous!

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book, they are beautiful and captivating.

This book creates the beginning of a conversation with small children about memory loss. Arthur wants to help the forgetful Elephant but Arthur doesn't know where the Elephant lives or who their family is, so instead Arthur helps the Elephant by being his friend and showing kindness.

I think parents and caregivers will be able to use this book as a stepping stone to explain memory loss in elderly family members to young children.

[Ryan]

This book makes the reader go Ahhhhhhhhhh. An elephant has gotten lost and doesn’t remember anything, but the young kid Arthur becomes his friend. They play and have fun, and eventually the elephant remembers just enough to contact his family who all come to help the elephant remember things and feel loved. Within the illustrations one of the elephants that was called says Hi Dad, and another calls Grandpa. This makes me think of Alzheimer's. As a way to explain to kids that it is okay to get forgetful as you age. Just help each other and things will be alright in the end.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur comes upon a crying elephant and is determined to help him out. They share adventures and fun throughout the day as they search for the elephant’s home. Maria Giron’s Arthur and the Forgetful Elephant is a wonderful, full color picture book addressing memory loss and the value of friendship. The book embraces the love of family and intergenerational living. This would be perfect for a child whose beloved family member or friend is experiencing memory loss.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher.

[RosaDG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This endearing story reminds us of the importance of solving problems naturally and with the love that all the beings around us deserve. Very nice illustrations.

Istorio maitagarri honek arazoak modu naturalean eta gure inguruko izaki guztiek merezi duten maitasunarekin konpontzearen garrantzia gogorarazten digu. Oso ilustrazio politak.

Esta entrañable historia nos recuerda la importancia de resolver los problemas con naturalidad y con el cariño que se merecen todos los seres que nos rodean. Unas ilustraciones muy bonitas.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur is exploring outside when he suddenly feels rain. When he looks up he sees a crying elephant. The elephant cannot remember what his name is or where he lives. Arthur knows what it's like when he can't remember things. He offers to help the elephant by distracting him for a bit so maybe his mind will remember what he's forgotten. After playing all day, it's time to head home. When Arthur introduces the pachyderm to his family suddenly the elephant rumbles for his family. The eventually appear seeming to have been looking for him for awhile.

A beautiful story suggested for storytime. Slightly problematic issue is that many children know that adult male African elephants do not hang around with the maternal family groups.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empathy and friendship are the main themes in this book aimed at ages 3-7. In particular there are questions asked about memory which will lead the reader and main human character Arthur to have empathy for the elephant who cannot even remember his name. The illustrations are delightful to reinforce the themes with the use of color becoming progressively more vibrant. There are many points to lead to book discussion especially as to what the new friends will do tomorrow. I received an early review copy from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

[Becky McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait while I grab a tissue, this book is like some one sending you flowers when you have a bad day. The illustrations are rosy and beautiful. The story is one I want to pass on to my children. I think I even needed to read this book. It is about an elephant who can't remember his family and a little boy who helps him. The advice is timeless and the illustrations are beautiful. This book is for all ages.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming picture book shows a deep friendship between two very different beings, a little boy named Arthur, and a forgetful elephant with no name. The elephant is sad because he doesn't remember, but Arthur befriends him and helps to make the problem feel smaller, until at the end of the day, the elephant remembers just enough for his family to find him. The elephant is adorably drawn as a realistic elephant but still very charming. Highly recommended.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it shows the joy that can be shared between young and old. I love how the children paint the elephant in bright colors and he joins in with enthusiasm. This book would also be a gentle way to lead a conversation if a child has a grandparent or family member who suffers from memory loss. The illustrations and text are joyful and warm and most of all convey the value of fun, love , family and friendship.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully sweet story of friendship that invites discussion. I loved Arthur's empathy and his kindness toward a poor lost, forgetful elephant. Arthur's reaction exemplifies key character traits that build friendship. It shows how including someone can make a big difference and is a wonderful tool for a discussion about empathy.
A wonderful five star read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the book.