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Fil
Olive'in babası sabah işe giderken fil de onunla beraber gider. Akşam eve döndüğünde fil de yanındadır. Ağır ve sessiz, hep oradadır fil; üzüntüden bir gölge gibi babasının peşindedir.
Olive, annesi öldüğünden beri durumun böyle olduğunun farkındadır ama babasının hep üzgün olmasına artık dayanamaz. Dedesinin ve en yakın arkadaşı Arthur'un yardımıyla, ailesini bu filden kurtarmak için bir plan yapar. Çok geçmeden, mutluluğun sandığı kadar kolay olmadığını öğrenecek, fakat küçük şeylerin büyük fark yaratabileceğini de anlayacaktır.
Ödüllü yazar ve illüstratör Peter Carnavas, bir çocuğun babasının depresyonuna naif bir bilgelikle meydan okuyuşunu anlatıyor. Fil, bir aile, umut ve iyileşme hikâyesi.
Olive, annesi öldüğünden beri durumun böyle olduğunun farkındadır ama babasının hep üzgün olmasına artık dayanamaz. Dedesinin ve en yakın arkadaşı Arthur'un yardımıyla, ailesini bu filden kurtarmak için bir plan yapar. Çok geçmeden, mutluluğun sandığı kadar kolay olmadığını öğrenecek, fakat küçük şeylerin büyük fark yaratabileceğini de anlayacaktır.
Ödüllü yazar ve illüstratör Peter Carnavas, bir çocuğun babasının depresyonuna naif bir bilgelikle meydan okuyuşunu anlatıyor. Fil, bir aile, umut ve iyileşme hikâyesi.
144 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2017
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May 7, 2021
دنیای عجیب و غریب و فوقالعاده ی کودکان
به نظرم انسان تا زمانی که بچهس درک عجیبی نسبت به زمان بزرگسالی داره.
داستان این کتاب درباره ی اولیو و غم پدرش هست. اینکه الیو غم رو به چه شکلی میبینه، اینکه سعی میکنه این غم رو حل کنه و پدرش رو نجات بده.
به نظرم وقتی غم وارد زندگی آدمی میشه، اون آدم دیگه قدرت برطرف کردنش رو نداره. و غم بزرگ میشه، بزرگ میشه و بزرگ میشه و آدم روتوی خودش حل میکنه.
اولیو حواسش به پدرش بود.
آیا ماهم حواسمون به دور و اطرفمون هست یا زیادی توی زندگیهامون غرق شدیم؟
درآخر میخوام از مهسا یه تشکری بکنم که منو مجبور کرد کتابای کودک نوجوان رو دوباره بخونم. چون خیلی وقت بود ازشون فاصله گرفته بودم
و رعنا، که این کتاب رو بهم داد :))
ماچ بهتون❤
به نظرم انسان تا زمانی که بچهس درک عجیبی نسبت به زمان بزرگسالی داره.
داستان این کتاب درباره ی اولیو و غم پدرش هست. اینکه الیو غم رو به چه شکلی میبینه، اینکه سعی میکنه این غم رو حل کنه و پدرش رو نجات بده.
به نظرم وقتی غم وارد زندگی آدمی میشه، اون آدم دیگه قدرت برطرف کردنش رو نداره. و غم بزرگ میشه، بزرگ میشه و بزرگ میشه و آدم روتوی خودش حل میکنه.
اولیو حواسش به پدرش بود.
آیا ماهم حواسمون به دور و اطرفمون هست یا زیادی توی زندگیهامون غرق شدیم؟
درآخر میخوام از مهسا یه تشکری بکنم که منو مجبور کرد کتابای کودک نوجوان رو دوباره بخونم. چون خیلی وقت بود ازشون فاصله گرفته بودم
و رعنا، که این کتاب رو بهم داد :))
ماچ بهتون❤
September 2, 2021
This is a Children's/Middle Grade book. This book really shows how children sees adult handling their sadness/grief. I love how well this book was written. I really feel this is a great book from children to read that is trying to figured out grief or sadness. It is also great for adults to read. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I wish I know about this book when my daughter's horse died. I feel it would have helped her so much. I love all the characters in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Pushkin Press) or author (Peter Carnavas) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
May 14, 2021
کتاب قشنگ و واقعا روانیه. ترجمه خوبی داره و ول کردنش خیلی سخته. من که یک نفس از اول تا آخر خوندمش.
اما...
اما گرچه اولش به خوبی اوضاع و غم رو توصیف میکنه و دید واقعیای از اندوه و افسردگی به ما میده، اما آخرش انگار فقط برای خوشحال کردن بچهها نوشته شده. وگرنه کدوم بابای افسردهای که سالهاست حالش بده، با دیدن موشک کاغذی رنگی حالش خوب میشه یا تعمیرگاهش رو پر از عکسهای بچهایش میکنه که هیچ وقت باهاش حرف نمیزنه؟
من کتاب رو دوست داشتم. اما، دیدن چندین نمونه نزدیک، از کسایی که به زندگی برنمیگردن و غصه غرقشون کرده، لذت باور کردن کتاب رو ازم گرفته.
در نهایت، ممنونم از پرستو. 😌❤️
اما...
اما گرچه اولش به خوبی اوضاع و غم رو توصیف میکنه و دید واقعیای از اندوه و افسردگی به ما میده، اما آخرش انگار فقط برای خوشحال کردن بچهها نوشته شده. وگرنه کدوم بابای افسردهای که سالهاست حالش بده، با دیدن موشک کاغذی رنگی حالش خوب میشه یا تعمیرگاهش رو پر از عکسهای بچهایش میکنه که هیچ وقت باهاش حرف نمیزنه؟
من کتاب رو دوست داشتم. اما، دیدن چندین نمونه نزدیک، از کسایی که به زندگی برنمیگردن و غصه غرقشون کرده، لذت باور کردن کتاب رو ازم گرفته.
در نهایت، ممنونم از پرستو. 😌❤️
May 10, 2021
خلاصه کتاب:
"فیل"داستان دخترکیست که مادرش رو از دست داده و پدرش افسردگی داره. الیو غم و اندوه پدرش رو به صورت یک فیل میبینه که همیشه همراه پدرش هست و سایه ی سیاه و سنگینی روی زندگی اون انداخته و تلاش میکنه( با کمک دوستش و پدربزرگش) فیل رو از پدرش دور کنه.
در کل روان و لذتبخش،ترجمه هم خوب بود.
شخصیت پدربزرگ برام از جذاب ترین بخش های کتاب بود.
کسی که همه جوره الیو رو حمایت میکنه،براش غذا میپزه،با هم به گردش میرن،باهاش درد دل میکنه و حتی در مورد مادرش حرف میزنه و همیشه برخلاف پدر الیو،حرف های الیو رو میشنوه و بهش اهمیت میده.
از طرفی دیگه دوست الیو،آرتور، که اول از همه اون رو باور میکنه و در قدم بعدی با تمام وجود بهش کمک میکنه که فیل رو بشناسه و از پدرش دورش کنه.
در نهایت یک ستاره به این علت کم میکنم که موضوع کتاب خیلی شبیه کتاب "پسرک و جادوی مری پاپینز " بود و وقتی با هم مقایسشون میکنم میبینم که اون کتاب خیلی تاثیرگذار تر بود برام.
"فیل"داستان دخترکیست که مادرش رو از دست داده و پدرش افسردگی داره. الیو غم و اندوه پدرش رو به صورت یک فیل میبینه که همیشه همراه پدرش هست و سایه ی سیاه و سنگینی روی زندگی اون انداخته و تلاش میکنه( با کمک دوستش و پدربزرگش) فیل رو از پدرش دور کنه.
در کل روان و لذتبخش،ترجمه هم خوب بود.
شخصیت پدربزرگ برام از جذاب ترین بخش های کتاب بود.
کسی که همه جوره الیو رو حمایت میکنه،براش غذا میپزه،با هم به گردش میرن،باهاش درد دل میکنه و حتی در مورد مادرش حرف میزنه و همیشه برخلاف پدر الیو،حرف های الیو رو میشنوه و بهش اهمیت میده.
از طرفی دیگه دوست الیو،آرتور، که اول از همه اون رو باور میکنه و در قدم بعدی با تمام وجود بهش کمک میکنه که فیل رو بشناسه و از پدرش دورش کنه.
در نهایت یک ستاره به این علت کم میکنم که موضوع کتاب خیلی شبیه کتاب "پسرک و جادوی مری پاپینز " بود و وقتی با هم مقایسشون میکنم میبینم که اون کتاب خیلی تاثیرگذار تر بود برام.
June 18, 2020
Ένα παιδικό βιβλίο που μιλά για την κατάθλιψη των μεγάλων. Μια αλληγορική και τόσο τρυφερή ιστορία που δεν σε αφήνει ανεπηρέαστο. Η κατάθλιψη του μπαμπά, που έχει χάσει τη γυναίκα του, στα μάτια της μικρής Όλιβ μοιάζει με έναν τεράστιο γκρι ελέφαντα. Θα κάνει τα πάντα για να τον διώξει. Συγκινητική η φιγούρα του παππού, που έχει κι εκείνος μια μεγάλη γκρι χελώνα να τον ακολουθεί. Η δική του κατάθλιψη όμως αποχωρεί σχετικά εύκολα γιατί η Όλιβ είναι η αγαπημένη του εγγονή.
Αυτή είναι λογοτεχνία! Όχι μόνο για παιδιά αλλά και για μεγάλους.
Αυτή είναι λογοτεχνία! Όχι μόνο για παιδιά αλλά και για μεγάλους.
May 30, 2021
فیل هم مثل کتابهای "قلب، تخم مرغ و همهی چیزهای شکستنی و " با بچهها که کسی حرف نمیزند" دربارهی فرزندانی است که با غم بزرگ (افسردگی) پدر یا مادرانشان روبهرو میشوند و تلاش میکنند تا دوباره آنها را به زندگی و روزهای شاد گذشته برگردانند.
فیل برایم دوست داشتنی بود. اُلیو غم و اندوه اطرافیانش را به موجودی خارجی تبدیل میکند و این خیلی برایم جذاب بود. و شخصیت ماجراجو و طبیعتدوست پدربزرگ که حتی برای بهتر کردن حال اُلیو او را با طبیعت آشنا میکند. ۴ ستاره دادم چون روند کتابی، مثل "قلب، تخم مرغ و همهی چیزهای شکستنی" برایم واقعیتر و قابل فهم بود و تلاش دختر قصه، تلاشی بود که با شکست روبهرو میشد مثل دنیای ما:)).
فیل برایم دوست داشتنی بود. اُلیو غم و اندوه اطرافیانش را به موجودی خارجی تبدیل میکند و این خیلی برایم جذاب بود. و شخصیت ماجراجو و طبیعتدوست پدربزرگ که حتی برای بهتر کردن حال اُلیو او را با طبیعت آشنا میکند. ۴ ستاره دادم چون روند کتابی، مثل "قلب، تخم مرغ و همهی چیزهای شکستنی" برایم واقعیتر و قابل فهم بود و تلاش دختر قصه، تلاشی بود که با شکست روبهرو میشد مثل دنیای ما:)).
September 9, 2019
I enjoyed Peter Carnavas’ The Elephant very much; however, I wondered, Who is the audience for this book?
I don’t think it’s a book like Virginia Sorenson’s Newbery Award-winning Miracles on Maple Hill, which adults could enjoy on its own merit. Despite its attractive cover, I don’t think it’s a book that children would read all the way through, as I think they would initially be confused by the metaphorical elephant. But then I realized that The Elephant is the perfect book for spouses and ex-spouses of fathers and mothers mired in debilitating depression. Dads, moms, grandmas, grandpas, uncles and aunts could use The Elephant to explain why Daddy or Mommy just can’t enjoy anything — not even their precious children — because they are so worn down by sadness and pain.
Set in Australia, Olive’s father hasn’t been the same since Olive’s mother died. But Olive’s maternal grandfather and wise best friend Arthur help her enjoy her own life and gradually help her father to move on. This is really a charming book that is best read by a child and adult together.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think it’s a book like Virginia Sorenson’s Newbery Award-winning Miracles on Maple Hill, which adults could enjoy on its own merit. Despite its attractive cover, I don’t think it’s a book that children would read all the way through, as I think they would initially be confused by the metaphorical elephant. But then I realized that The Elephant is the perfect book for spouses and ex-spouses of fathers and mothers mired in debilitating depression. Dads, moms, grandmas, grandpas, uncles and aunts could use The Elephant to explain why Daddy or Mommy just can’t enjoy anything — not even their precious children — because they are so worn down by sadness and pain.
Set in Australia, Olive’s father hasn’t been the same since Olive’s mother died. But Olive’s maternal grandfather and wise best friend Arthur help her enjoy her own life and gradually help her father to move on. This is really a charming book that is best read by a child and adult together.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2021
Bir arkadaşımın okuma listesinde yer alan bir kitaptı. İsmi hoşuma gitmişti.
Avustralya’lı bir yazarı ilk kez okudum. Aslında bir çocuk kitabı ama o kadar güzel bir kitap ki, okumak büyük bir mutluluk oldu. Sanırım daha çok bu tür kitaplar okumalıyım.
Avustralya’lı bir yazarı ilk kez okudum. Aslında bir çocuk kitabı ama o kadar güzel bir kitap ki, okumak büyük bir mutluluk oldu. Sanırım daha çok bu tür kitaplar okumalıyım.
November 13, 2021
Bir yetişkinin anksiyetesi ve hüznü bir çocuğun gözünden nasıl yansır? Nasıl anlaşılır? Alıp okuyunuz.
İçindeki çocuğu yitirmemiş Peter Carnavas'a sevgiler.
İçindeki çocuğu yitirmemiş Peter Carnavas'a sevgiler.
February 23, 2020
Although this is a heartwarming story, I had major issues with the mental health representation. Depression is an illness that cannot be cured, and its highs and lows will fluctuate. The fact that Olive was able to "cure" her father's sadness and make the elephant go away forever just by cheering him up sends a very poor message about mental illness. A child should never be left with the impression that a parent's depression is within their power to make go away forever.
May 21, 2023
Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…
“… a sadness as heavy as a tortoise…”
A book that reminds us that life can be frustrating and disappointing and horrible… BUT! If you have hope, and people that you love, and family/friends that will look after you and listen - life might not change for you in the moment, but living with the random opportunities to smile, and the company of imagination and animals may help - we may need quiet moments, and those are immeasurable and personal, but it’s always better always side by side
“… a sadness as heavy as a tortoise…”
A book that reminds us that life can be frustrating and disappointing and horrible… BUT! If you have hope, and people that you love, and family/friends that will look after you and listen - life might not change for you in the moment, but living with the random opportunities to smile, and the company of imagination and animals may help - we may need quiet moments, and those are immeasurable and personal, but it’s always better always side by side
March 14, 2024
sevdiğim birini böyle üzgün, bulutlu görünce pat diye eline tutuşturucam bu kitabı söz. çok umutlu. çok sevdim. ve filler...can dostlarım...🥹🥹🥹🥹🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠yazarın 18 aboneli youtube kanalındayım
January 5, 2020
A beautiful story about depression and how a young girl helps her father chase his “elephant” away.
I loved the way in which this books address mental health in a gentle and supportive way for middle grade readers.
I loved the way in which this books address mental health in a gentle and supportive way for middle grade readers.
October 20, 2020
A wonderful way to tackle big difficult feelings. I loved the way the protagonist navigates these feelings and works against them.
July 10, 2017
This is one very special little book. A rare and unique insight into emotions and issues of loss, grief and despair. I cried and laughed and felt so connected and touched by every word in this beautifully written and illustrated story. It will stay with me for a very long time. I will be sharing and recommending The Elephant to everyone, children and adults.
June 16, 2017
Exquisite. Full review on July 3rd. 4.5 stars.
December 13, 2022
Es un libro muy triste y bello.
¿Qué tan grande es el animal que me acompaña?
¿Qué tan grande es el animal que me acompaña?
October 28, 2020
What a beautiful story - I couldn’t put it down!
The elephant is about a young girl who is dealing with lots of different issues in her life - grief, mental health, loneliness, friendship and love for her family.
The way Carnavas writes this in a metaphorical way makes you believe the story more and more. The use of the descriptions and creativity of the language throughout helped me to keep reading on as I could tell it would just get better! I love the way he used a gentle approach of tackling mental health such as the use of the imaginary animals that Olive sees, and how each chapter has a specific title. Highly recommend this book - would definitely use this in the classroom in KS2!!
The elephant is about a young girl who is dealing with lots of different issues in her life - grief, mental health, loneliness, friendship and love for her family.
The way Carnavas writes this in a metaphorical way makes you believe the story more and more. The use of the descriptions and creativity of the language throughout helped me to keep reading on as I could tell it would just get better! I love the way he used a gentle approach of tackling mental health such as the use of the imaginary animals that Olive sees, and how each chapter has a specific title. Highly recommend this book - would definitely use this in the classroom in KS2!!
June 28, 2022
What a brilliant book. I loved it!
Every character jumped off the page and dance into my heart.
I love the way Peter explains with such beautiful wordsmithing, how Olive identifies troubles following the ones she loves around and all the little joys that helped open all their hearts, and mine, again.
The moments of Olive's days were so vivid within my imagination, her raw emotions, the delightful success of her brilliant plans, as well as the understated yet genuine and heartfelt friendship between both her and Arthur, and her keen observation of everything within her world through her endless adventures, has me hoping that others take the time to pick up this book and experience the joys it has to offer. I certainly did.
Every character jumped off the page and dance into my heart.
I love the way Peter explains with such beautiful wordsmithing, how Olive identifies troubles following the ones she loves around and all the little joys that helped open all their hearts, and mine, again.
The moments of Olive's days were so vivid within my imagination, her raw emotions, the delightful success of her brilliant plans, as well as the understated yet genuine and heartfelt friendship between both her and Arthur, and her keen observation of everything within her world through her endless adventures, has me hoping that others take the time to pick up this book and experience the joys it has to offer. I certainly did.
July 31, 2017
This is one of the most beautiful and sensitive books I have read in a long time. Peter Carnavas’ words and illustrations perfectly complement each other in this timeless tale of hope and courage. Olive’s mother passed away when she was little and Olive, her grand-dad and dad live together. From as long as she can remember Olive’s dad has been sad and she imagines a big, grey elephant following him wherever he goes. Olive’s greatest wish is that the elephant will leave her father alone. With the help of her school friend Arthur and her delightful warm and happy Grandad she is determined to chase the elephant away. Along the way Olive has some beautiful ups and downs with her own imaginary beings. It is a heartwarming story that illustrates that joy can be found in many places with optimism and courage. Peter Carnavas’ picture books are well loved in our community and this first novel is an exquisite piece of writing.
Suitable for 6+ - courage, hope, grief, metaphors, imaginary friends
Suitable for 6+ - courage, hope, grief, metaphors, imaginary friends
January 3, 2020
How do you not fall in love w a girl who has a thinking spot high in a flowering tree?
How do you not fall in love with a story of that sweet girl and her fabulous grandad?
Hope in the midst of grief
Love in the midst of sadness
Elephants, tortoises, and dogs that walk with us through the sadness
This book is beyond perfect!!!!
I HIGLY recommend!
I will be buying many many copies myself!
How do you not fall in love with a story of that sweet girl and her fabulous grandad?
Hope in the midst of grief
Love in the midst of sadness
Elephants, tortoises, and dogs that walk with us through the sadness
This book is beyond perfect!!!!
I HIGLY recommend!
I will be buying many many copies myself!
July 10, 2022
A spare, beautiful masterpiece of children's fiction writing that deserves to rank alongside Winnie the Pooh. This is a timeless and deeply felt novel that, while it has a sad premise, is ultimately uplifting and filled with love.
November 8, 2020
A wonderful book that tackles issues of mental health, loss and friendship in a careful and supportive way. It is an incredibly creative and imaginative book with elements that many children may relate to. It was touching to read and the illustrations can only be described as beautiful. I would recommend this book to anyone, children and adults.
January 2, 2021
This is such a heartwarming story, with beautiful illustrations. Olive imagines her fathers sadness as a grey elephant, weighing him down. She is determined to get rid of the elephant, hoping to make him happy again. This book would be great to use in the classroom to discuss topics surrounding grief, loss and mental health. I loved this book and would highly recommend to children as well as adults.
January 29, 2021
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
A book about a sad dad and the elephant that follows him and how our MC goes to help out her dad by getting rid of the elephant. Along the way there is the school’s 100th birthday where the kids have to bring something really old (I wonder what I would bring if I was a kid in that school, don’t even know if we ever had something really old, maybe jewellery?) and show what it is. We see our MC is thinking of bringing her bike, which used to belong to her mom. But how to convince dad since he is fixing it and being under pressure from an elephant.
I had fun seeing what each kid brought with them and I adored what Olive brought to the party. That is just such a wonderful idea.
I wished the dad had found help from a professional a long time ago, or talked to someone about all of this, let it all out instead of having an elephant crush him (which is an all too familiar feeling, I have had plenty of elephants, though I would think my animal more as a bear, throughout my life). Especially if you have a kid. Your kid needs you. You are the only parent Olive has. She needs to be able to rely on you, not have to constantly be worried about you and your health. 🙁 Or having to feel bad because she asks you something. But I could see that he loved her, well before the ending and what was shown there. He was being pressed by an elephant, but his love for her never went away.
I am glad she had her grandfather who did an amazing job at caring for her, making sure she had food and such in her stomach, he took her outside to wonderful places, told her about her mom, or if he knew she was thinking about her mom he was there for her to talk or distract her with something else. I loved her grandfather, such a wonderful sweet man. I adored what they did on top of that building, how they made several people’s day by just complimenting them in a fun way.
Arthur was such a wonderful friend and I loved how he instantly believed Olive on the elephant matter and even went so far to find elephant facts.
Later on not only has she got to get rid of an elephant… she also has to get rid of a tortoise. Yes, the animals are growing, and I loved how the author showed us the various animals that could mean someone is sad/not happy. I do hope that Olive learns though that these animals may disappear for a while.. but can always come back. I speak from experience that you can never truly get rid of them fully.
I understand that this is a children’s book, but I found the end a bit too unbelievable. He has been mourning, feeling sad, for such a long time, I am sorry just one fun event isn’t going to glue it all together, it isn’t going to fix it. He needs more help, more talks, more moments like these to make his life better. I just don’t want kids to think that things will get fix so easily. Again, speaking for experience.
I didn’t notice this was going to be PDF (and not sure if I requested this book BEFORE or AFTER Netgalley finally implemented what format the book would be). 176 pages on my computer screen… well my headache has definitely worsened. I tried reading it on my Kindle, because while PDF will be messy, with 5-10% of the books you can still read it somehow. However… the illustrations were just gone from the book on my Kindle. sighs Would be nice if publishers would just only do epub/mobis instead of the constant PDFs that almost no one wants.
But all in all, this was a beautiful book about loss, mourning, and finding happiness. I hope that the father seeks further help and that he and his daughter and father can have many more happy moments. The art was also quite pretty.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
A book about a sad dad and the elephant that follows him and how our MC goes to help out her dad by getting rid of the elephant. Along the way there is the school’s 100th birthday where the kids have to bring something really old (I wonder what I would bring if I was a kid in that school, don’t even know if we ever had something really old, maybe jewellery?) and show what it is. We see our MC is thinking of bringing her bike, which used to belong to her mom. But how to convince dad since he is fixing it and being under pressure from an elephant.
I had fun seeing what each kid brought with them and I adored what Olive brought to the party. That is just such a wonderful idea.
I wished the dad had found help from a professional a long time ago, or talked to someone about all of this, let it all out instead of having an elephant crush him (which is an all too familiar feeling, I have had plenty of elephants, though I would think my animal more as a bear, throughout my life). Especially if you have a kid. Your kid needs you. You are the only parent Olive has. She needs to be able to rely on you, not have to constantly be worried about you and your health. 🙁 Or having to feel bad because she asks you something. But I could see that he loved her, well before the ending and what was shown there. He was being pressed by an elephant, but his love for her never went away.
I am glad she had her grandfather who did an amazing job at caring for her, making sure she had food and such in her stomach, he took her outside to wonderful places, told her about her mom, or if he knew she was thinking about her mom he was there for her to talk or distract her with something else. I loved her grandfather, such a wonderful sweet man. I adored what they did on top of that building, how they made several people’s day by just complimenting them in a fun way.
Arthur was such a wonderful friend and I loved how he instantly believed Olive on the elephant matter and even went so far to find elephant facts.
Later on not only has she got to get rid of an elephant… she also has to get rid of a tortoise. Yes, the animals are growing, and I loved how the author showed us the various animals that could mean someone is sad/not happy. I do hope that Olive learns though that these animals may disappear for a while.. but can always come back. I speak from experience that you can never truly get rid of them fully.
I understand that this is a children’s book, but I found the end a bit too unbelievable. He has been mourning, feeling sad, for such a long time, I am sorry just one fun event isn’t going to glue it all together, it isn’t going to fix it. He needs more help, more talks, more moments like these to make his life better. I just don’t want kids to think that things will get fix so easily. Again, speaking for experience.
I didn’t notice this was going to be PDF (and not sure if I requested this book BEFORE or AFTER Netgalley finally implemented what format the book would be). 176 pages on my computer screen… well my headache has definitely worsened. I tried reading it on my Kindle, because while PDF will be messy, with 5-10% of the books you can still read it somehow. However… the illustrations were just gone from the book on my Kindle. sighs Would be nice if publishers would just only do epub/mobis instead of the constant PDFs that almost no one wants.
But all in all, this was a beautiful book about loss, mourning, and finding happiness. I hope that the father seeks further help and that he and his daughter and father can have many more happy moments. The art was also quite pretty.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2019
This children's book helps children understand depression by personifying it as gray animals, different for each person. A little girl notices a big elephant following her dad around ever since her mom died, and together with her friend from school and her grandpa, they find a way to get rid of it. Her grandpa tells her they may all still be sad sometimes, but the elephant leaves them alone.
This book might be a good one to read to children who are experiencing depression themselves or in their homes, but if not, little children might miss the personifications and impacts. My boys were bored of the story and it was a slog to get them to read it with me. I finally just finished it on my own.
This book might be a good one to read to children who are experiencing depression themselves or in their homes, but if not, little children might miss the personifications and impacts. My boys were bored of the story and it was a slog to get them to read it with me. I finally just finished it on my own.
April 28, 2022
De vader van Olivia wordt gevolgd door een enorme olifant. Een olifant die alleen Olivia kan zien. Hoe droeviger Olivia's vader kijkt, hoe groter de olifant wordt. Het dier wordt soms zo groot, dat het haar vader niet eens meer lukt om Olivia's mooie fiets te repareren.
Samen met opa en haar beste vriendje Arthur bedenkt ze een plan om de olifant weg te jagen en haar vader terug te krijgen.
A-boek (maar binnenin staat vanaf 9 jaar, wat me redelijker lijkt), 2021, depressiviteit, rouwproces, KOPP-kinderen, fantasievriendjes.
Samen met opa en haar beste vriendje Arthur bedenkt ze een plan om de olifant weg te jagen en haar vader terug te krijgen.
A-boek (maar binnenin staat vanaf 9 jaar, wat me redelijker lijkt), 2021, depressiviteit, rouwproces, KOPP-kinderen, fantasievriendjes.
April 17, 2024
Heel mooi verhaal en heel mooi geschreven en het is gewoon super lief om te lezen. Het einde was ook gelukkig.
December 5, 2025
Çocuk Edebiyatı favorilerimin arasına girdi Can Çocuktan çıkma "Fil".
August 10, 2022
دوبار گریه کردم و بله حالم خیلی خوبه 💘🐘
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