How Elegant the Elephant

A rollicking collection of poems about the enchanting world of animals and insects, from former children’s poet laureate and New York Times bestselling author Mary Ann Hoberman and Caldecott Honoree illustrator Marla Frazee.

So many kinds of animals
So many shapes and sizes
So many funny spots and dots
So many strange disguises

With her signature wordplay and wit, former children’s poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman celebrates the magnificence, ingenuity, and quirky qualities of creatures big and small. This thoughtfully crafted collection features sixty of Mary Ann’s personal favorite poems curated from her sixty-five-year body of work, as well as eight new poems. 

From a fine fat pig and backward running porcupines to a beastly card game and a yoga class for agile animals, this memorable menagerie is cunningly brought to life by three-time Caldecott Honoree Marla Frazee, in an imaginary world where the characters meet and tell an entertaining tale all their own.

A tour de force collection of poems and pictures by two legendary talents, this book creates a world that readers will never want to leave.

• A Kids' Indie Next List Pick
  An Amazon Best Book of the Year for Ages 6-8
  A Horn Book Fanfare Pick
• * "Hoberman's skipping, dancing scansion longs to be read aloud, and her often brief line lengths should help newer readers feel confident doing so.... Frazee's pencil and watercolor illustrations add elements of whimsy, and her stories are pitched perfectly to play with the text. The joy of wordplay, rhyme, and rhythm shine in every entry, ready to usher children into the magic and possible humor of the poetic form."
  Shelf Awareness, starred review
• * "Many of Hoberman’s poems adeptly incorporate scientific facts.... A labor of love, both a fitting tribute to its poet creator and a grand reimagining, thanks to incredible artistic skills."
  Kirkus Reviews, starred review
• * "Frazee’s delightfully energetic pencil and watercolor illustrations bring together the verses (presented alphabetically by title) into a cohesive new whole.... The poems themselves are full of whimsical wildlife observations...and satisfyingly show off Hoberman’s facility with wordplay and with rhyme, meter, and inventive line breaks.... A hotel worth checking into—and a collaboration worth checking out."
  The Horn Book, starred review
• "This collection celebrates the acclaimed poet’s lifelong love of animals and bugs.... The artwork simultaneously complements each poem and engages observant readers in amusing subplots set in various locales in and around the hotel.... A playful addition to larger poetry collections."
  School Library Journal
• "The book’s gracious introduction includes reflections on [Hoberman​'s] approach to writing poetry as well as advice to children on how to make a beloved poem your own.... Frazee’s lively illustrations, created with pencil and watercolors, capture the tone of the verse and amplify its humor for young children."
  Booklist
• “How Elegant the Elephant is a guaranteed instant classic. With engaging illustrations and whimsical poems about animals, this collection is the perfect gift.” —Jessica Nock, Main Street Books (Davidson, NC)
   
  “A great wonderful book as an introduction and inspiration into poetry and the animal kingdom, sure to be a hit and classic for years to come.” —Nicole Miller, Mayuba Bookstores Inc (Chicago, IL)
   
  “So much fun to read aloud while examining the detailed adorable pictures.” —Kate, Little City Books (Hoboken, NJ)
   
  “What a dream come true to have these two bookstore celebrities come together again to create another masterpiece. I'm not sure there was ever a more perfect pairing of whimsical writing and illustrations. Destined to be a treasured classic.” —Aslee Null, Vroman's Bookstore (Pasadena, CA)
   
  “This is a sterling example of how text and art merge magnificently together to create a memorable, first rate and a new standard in poetry collections.... A poetry book for the ages!” —Maureen, Once Upon a Time (Montrose, CA) 
• Praise for Away With Words:
  
  A Bank Street College Best Children's Book
• Praise for Forget-Me-Nots:
  
  * "A multidimensional and thoughtful cross section of verse with keepers on nearly every page." B>Publishers Weekly, starred review
  
  * "A treasure trove of the familiar and the fresh.... A wonderful gift book for poetry lovers, but even children who have never considered learning a poem by heart will find much to love here."
  The Horn Book, starred review
• Praise for You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together:
  
  "Hoberman is really the master of unforced rhyme...and Emberley's pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are as consistently spry as the poems."
  The Horn Book