Little Elliot, Big Fun (Little Elliot #3)

Curato's Little Elliot books take place in a heightened midcentury version of New York City--an ideal setting to showcase the glory days of Coney Island, as he does in this third book. But for Curato's polka-dotted elephant hero, the amusement park's attractions are too wet, dizzy making, or fast, and clowns and seagulls present threats of their own. With Mouse's patient friendship and guidance, Elliot gets to witness the seaside paradise in all its glory, thanks to a sunset Ferris wheel ride; readers do, too, in a stunning four-page foldout. It's a gorgeous vision of summer in the city, as well as of small steps with big payoffs. Ages 4-8. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Aug.)

PreSPreS-Gr 2--In this third offering in the series, Mouse and Elliot head to Coney Island for a day of "ice cream and cotton candy and popcorn...shows and games and lots of rides!" Though excited about the treats, the timid pachyderm vetoes almost every ride his friend suggests. The water chute is "too wet," the giant roulette wheel is "too dizzy!," and the roller coaster is "too fast!" After he loses his ice cream to a greedy seagull, an inadvertent misadventure in the fun house causes the little elephant to retreat under the boardwalk. But after a good time on the beach, he reluctantly agrees to try the Ferris wheel, which is depicted through a gatefold spread featuring a fabulous aerial view of the amusement park. Next, Elliot and Mouse brave the bumper cars, play skee-ball, and ride the carousel. When Elliot asks his friend about his favorite part of the day, Mouse doesn't hesitate. He says, "Being with you," to which Elliot replies, "Being with you is my favorite part of every day!" Charming endpapers display advertisements for myriad sideshow performers, including a tightrope walker, a tattooed lady, a magician, and, of course, "the incredible POLKA-DOTTED ELEPHANT." The detailed pencil drawings of old-time Coney Island are digitally colored in Adobe Photoshop. VERDICT This beautifully designed title is perfect for units on friendship, New York, or summer vacations. Sure to be a hit at a Big Fun storytime.--Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

"It's a gorgeous vision of summer in the city, as well as of small steps with big payoffs." —Publishers Weekly, starred review on Little Elliot, Big Fun

"A bravura celebration of the healing effects of acceptance and friendship." —Booklist, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Fun

"This beautifully designed title is perfect for units on friendship, New York, or summer vacations. Sure to be a hit at a Big Fun storytime." —School Library Journal, on Little Elliot, Big Fun

"Young children will easily relate to Elliot's experience of loneliness and his relief at inclusion, both convincingly captured in this elegant tale." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Family

"Curato fleshes out Little Elliot's personality in this installment - there are glimmers of a character with real depth beneath his cutie-pie visage - while continuing to come up with wonderful, Hopperesque images of a bygone New York." —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Little Elliot, Big Family

"* [Curato is] a terrific emerging talent, with gorgeously rendered images that bring to mind the moodiness of Chris Van Allsburg and the sweetness of William Joyce." —Publishers Weekly, starred review on Little Elliot, Big City

"* Curato, a debut author and illustrator, tucks several gentle messages into one simple story that's perfect for the age group. . . . Happily, expect to see more of him." —Booklist, starred review on Little Elliot, Big City

"A tiny, spotted elephant tackles the challenges of city life. . . . The simple story is told in 17 short sentences that allow Curato's magnificent 1940s-style illustrations to carry the tale." —School Library Journal on Little Elliot, Big City