Review: "When the Elephant Walks" by Keiko Kasza

When the Elephant Walks

Written and ilustrated by Keiko Kasza.

Published in 2004 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.

Review by Jimena Iglesias.

       “When the Elephant Walks” is a short story for young children. Keiko Kasza, who writes and illustrates this book, shows through colourful pages and simply phrases how anyone can feel fear. The main characters are animals which do different actions after feeling afraid of something. This story can be a useful tool for teachers who can teach children new vocabulary, and also feelings.

      The story starts with an elegant elephant that is peacefully walking. While doing so, he scares a bear. The bear escapes from the elephant and scares another animal. This situation is repeated many times with different animals. By the end of the book, a little and insignificant mouse appears. In spite of its small size, the elephant, who is a really big animal, feels afraid of it. In this way the author shows us how fear can be felt not only by small animals or children, but also by big animals or adults. Everyone feels afraid of something, but nobody has to feel ashamed of it.

      As regards language, there are some simply verbs like ‘run’ or ‘swim’, but there are also some more complex and less common verbs such as ‘scurry’, ‘flee’ or ‘dash’. If these verbs were unknown by children, the colourful and funny pictures would help them to understand the meaning. Besides, the grammar structures are repeated like in many children’s stories. This book is a helpful tool to use in the classroom. Teachers can introduce new vocabulary and also play with fun and creativity.

      To sum up, “When the Elephant Walks” is an excellent book. I highly recommend it. Children can learn a lot of it, not only vocabulary but also about accepting their own feelings without being ashamed of them.