Elephants Don't Do Ballet. Penny McKinlay. Illustrated by Graham Percy. London, ENG: Frances Lincoln [Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books], 1997. 26 pp., hardcover, $18.95. ISBN 07-1121-109-4. Subject Headings: Elephants-Fiction. Ballet dancing-Fiction. Preschool - grade 2 / Ages 4 - 7. Review by Bob Piper. *** /4

Like most parents, Esmeralda Elephant's "mummy" wants to provide every opportunity for her daughter to succeed. Despite her brother Ernest's exhortation that "Elephants don't do ballet!", Esmeralda, inspired by the elegant twirling of her music-box ballerina, insists on trying. Week after week of disasters fail to deter the young hopeful, and she even manages to turn a disastrous first stage appearance into a successful debut.

      McKinlay's delightful story is enhanced by the very colourful illustrations by Percy Graham. A book for all children's libraries.

Recommended.

Bob Piper is the Library Consultant at St. John's Ravenscourt Lower School Library in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - APRIL 24, 1998.

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