Little Tumbo

by Steven Salerno

A curious little elephant wanders away from the security of his family only to be captured by hunters. He must quickly learn how to trumpet, just like the big elephants do, otherwise he may never see his family again...

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First there was Jumbo, then Dumbo, and now Steven Salerno gives you Tumbo, another tale of a cute elephant also hunted and trapped in a cage by white guys and sent to a circus only to be rescued by humans who really care. Yet I still love this story, since it does have more influence from African folklore than the other "Umbos". Tumbo is a baby elephant who doesn't quite know how to sound like a trumpet thru his trunk, kinda like Kipling with his Elephant Child full of 'satiable curiosity. The others in his family tease him, his elefather keeps saying to be patient and his trumpeting talent will come in time, the same excuse most dad's make to escape responsibility in rearing children. Unfortunately Tumbo decides to go off into the jungle alone, not heeding the warnings of his elemommy, and, you guessed it, he gets nabbed by hunters. In a cage Tumbo wishes on a star to go back to his loving, if clueless, family, and THEN a brave African boy Zulu warrior sets the little pachyderm free and head to the waiting canoe to freedom. The escape works until the hunters have Tumbo nabbed again! Now Tumbo needs to try out his untested trumpeting power. Just one blow oughta do it!
A classic adventure story in the great Disney tradition that Disney itself will never tell, since they're still getting over the detritus of a live action Dumbo that came out last year. Successful? Nah. Otherwise why was it called DUMBO??? Tumbo beats Dumbo like....Water for Elephants???? Wink wink???
Four stars
Let's get ready to TUMBO!!!!!

[Rusty Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Tumbo was small for an elephant, but he knew that one day he'd be BIG just like his mother and father."

This is a fun story with interesting illustrations. It can apply to many kids who like to wonder.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was okay - a little elephant has to escape from some hunters. I thought the illustrations were unique and interesting to look at.