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Uncle Elephant
English/Chinese edition of "Uncle Elephant" by Arnold Lobel. Bilingual
85 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 1981
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424 people want to read
About the author
Arnold Lobel
271books549followersArnold Stark Lobel was a popular American author of children's books. Among his most popular books are those of the Frog and Toad series, and Mouse Soup, which won the Garden State Children's Book Award from the New Jersey Library Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 29, 2017
Uncle Elephant had to take care of his nephew when his parents were lose at sea. The time uncle elpehant and his nephew spent together were wonderful days full of adventures. Uncle Elephant told stories, showed his nephew his garden, they went for a walk, and he put on funny clothes. Every child should have an uncle elephant when needed.
Qutoe
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten!" said Uncle Elephant. "What are you counting this time?" I asked. "I am counting the peanut shells," said Uncle Elephant. "They are easier to count. They are all in one place. They are all sitting on your lap."
Qutoe
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten!" said Uncle Elephant. "What are you counting this time?" I asked. "I am counting the peanut shells," said Uncle Elephant. "They are easier to count. They are all in one place. They are all sitting on your lap."
July 19, 2018
Sweet and simple, with major tinges of sadness. As a kid I saw a claymation adaptation of this on PBS (you can find it on Youtube), and a line from one of the songs has occasionally reverberated inside my brain at the most random times ever since: “Please give me one more chance! Mom, Dad, come back!� An image of elephants on a boat, drifting out to sea has also lingered. This theme of parental abandonment/loss/death is a powerful one, and quite distressing. Thankfully, there’s a comforting ending and an uncle who’s a stand-up guy.
May 10, 2018
I loved Arnold Lobel's books as a child, but do not remember reading Uncle Elephant. I found it a sweet and charming book, and the lovely illustrations are, as ever, so effective. Some of the prose here was very nice indeed, but some felt too simplistic, even with regard to the book's intended audience. However, it proved just the right thing to read whilst poorly, and certainly gave me a heartwarming feeling.
May 23, 2023
Happy Birthdy to Arnold Loble, the Uncle Elephant himself. 🧡
April 12, 2025
After reading this if u saw me trumpeting the dawn, don't judge me.
April 23, 2025
No author of easy readers did subtle beauty like Arnold Lobel. His drawings and simple words capture the poignancy of life and death in ways that move readers of all ages, and Uncle Elephant does this just as well as his more famed Frog and Toad series. An elephant boy's life changes on the day his mother and father embark on a boat voyage. A squall slams the boat, and Mother and Father are lost at sea. Has the worst befallen them? The boy sits numb and alone in his bedroom until Uncle Elephant arrives. The youngster has never met the man, but he spirits his nephew away from the gloomy room to stay at his house.
On the train ride there, Uncle Elephant counts items outside the window, bemoaning every time one sneaks by uncounted. The boy is curious what Uncle Elephant is counting, but the specific item frequently changes. It all passes so quickly on a train, just as life whips by if we don't engage with its moments. At Uncle Elephant's house the two dine together, and are shocked when the table lamp seems to contain a genie. With Uncle Elephant and the boy already dreaming up wishes, they'e disappointed to find this opportunity isn't what they assumed. A moonlit dinner isn't bad consolation, though. Come morning, the boy finds his uncle trumpeting loudly in his own flower garden to greet the dawn. He cultivated the garden as refuge from a harsh world, and is proud to share this piece of his soul with the boy. Later they take a walk together, but Uncle Elephant's body moans and groans and he has to go home and rest his joints. Easing into his favorite chair should make "the creaks" go away.
What will salve Uncle Elephant's discomfort faster? Telling a story. An old King and young Prince were on a walk, he begins the story, and became lost in the woods. A lion leaps out and they team up to repel the carnivore, but still they are lost. Maybe if the King hoists the Prince atop his head, his young eyes will spot their castle. The King in his wisdom and Prince in his youth are perfect companions, providing what the other needs to survive and thrive. After the story, when the boy spots a photo of Uncle Elephant as a kid with his own parents, it reminds him Mother and Father may be gone, and sadness washes over him. Uncle Elephant digs in the closet for comical clothes to dress in, but has none. So he puts on every article of clothing he owns. The boy can't help laughing at that. Crisis averted. When Uncle Elephant requests his nephew sing for him, the boy admits he knows not a single tune. Everyone needs a song to hold in their heart, so Uncle Elephant composes one the boy will always have to remember their days together. All wondrous times eventually end, and so does this living arrangement of boy and uncle. The man will find a way to show the youngster what the past four days have meant to him, and that an old elephant never forgets a precious memory.
"I have a song.
It's an elephant song.
I will sing it
and never forget
that, of all music played,
there is no better made
than an uncle
and nephew duet."
�Uncle Elephant, P. 56
Read the nine stories in this book with the eyes of your heart, and you'll discover they're more than scampish tales of fun. Each one has wisdom worth meditating on. Uncle Elephant isn't one for sappy speeches, so his quiet sentiments at the end are all the more affecting: "They were wonderful days. They all passed too fast." Whether you had four days or fourteen years with them, children grow up in a blur too fast to believe, like the landscape passing beneath a train window as you try to count items outside. Irreplaceable relationships fade from sight and you're left with memories, a wistful if priceless gift. Uncle Elephant is a story with humor, heart, lovely illustrations, and a dose of the magic that animates a life well lived. I highly recommend.
On the train ride there, Uncle Elephant counts items outside the window, bemoaning every time one sneaks by uncounted. The boy is curious what Uncle Elephant is counting, but the specific item frequently changes. It all passes so quickly on a train, just as life whips by if we don't engage with its moments. At Uncle Elephant's house the two dine together, and are shocked when the table lamp seems to contain a genie. With Uncle Elephant and the boy already dreaming up wishes, they'e disappointed to find this opportunity isn't what they assumed. A moonlit dinner isn't bad consolation, though. Come morning, the boy finds his uncle trumpeting loudly in his own flower garden to greet the dawn. He cultivated the garden as refuge from a harsh world, and is proud to share this piece of his soul with the boy. Later they take a walk together, but Uncle Elephant's body moans and groans and he has to go home and rest his joints. Easing into his favorite chair should make "the creaks" go away.
What will salve Uncle Elephant's discomfort faster? Telling a story. An old King and young Prince were on a walk, he begins the story, and became lost in the woods. A lion leaps out and they team up to repel the carnivore, but still they are lost. Maybe if the King hoists the Prince atop his head, his young eyes will spot their castle. The King in his wisdom and Prince in his youth are perfect companions, providing what the other needs to survive and thrive. After the story, when the boy spots a photo of Uncle Elephant as a kid with his own parents, it reminds him Mother and Father may be gone, and sadness washes over him. Uncle Elephant digs in the closet for comical clothes to dress in, but has none. So he puts on every article of clothing he owns. The boy can't help laughing at that. Crisis averted. When Uncle Elephant requests his nephew sing for him, the boy admits he knows not a single tune. Everyone needs a song to hold in their heart, so Uncle Elephant composes one the boy will always have to remember their days together. All wondrous times eventually end, and so does this living arrangement of boy and uncle. The man will find a way to show the youngster what the past four days have meant to him, and that an old elephant never forgets a precious memory.
"I have a song.
It's an elephant song.
I will sing it
and never forget
that, of all music played,
there is no better made
than an uncle
and nephew duet."
�Uncle Elephant, P. 56
Read the nine stories in this book with the eyes of your heart, and you'll discover they're more than scampish tales of fun. Each one has wisdom worth meditating on. Uncle Elephant isn't one for sappy speeches, so his quiet sentiments at the end are all the more affecting: "They were wonderful days. They all passed too fast." Whether you had four days or fourteen years with them, children grow up in a blur too fast to believe, like the landscape passing beneath a train window as you try to count items outside. Irreplaceable relationships fade from sight and you're left with memories, a wistful if priceless gift. Uncle Elephant is a story with humor, heart, lovely illustrations, and a dose of the magic that animates a life well lived. I highly recommend.
March 31, 2025
We've always loved Arnold Lobel books, but I think this might be my favorite.
April 18, 2025
Mám rada, keď z knihy ide starodávny závan a predsa je nadčasová. Táto Lobelová kniha to spĺňa dokonale.
August 28, 2021
I always love Frog and Toad, but this is my first book by Arnold Lobel outside of that series. I was worried at first, reading this book to my (sensitive) four-year-old was a bad idea, as it begins with the young elephant's parents getting lost at sea. However, the book focuses on time the young elephant spends with his uncle, who is caring for him in their stead. The boy is reunited with his parents in the end, and there is a beautiful ending that circles back to the beginning chapters of the book. I actually teared up at the end. I recommend this overlooked read by the highly talented Arnold Lobel.
March 1, 2021
Probably my favorite Arnold Lobel book. Beautifully written! It is so sweet and that last page makes me cry every time.
June 25, 2021
Random thrift store find today and we loved it!
November 14, 2019
Uncle Elephant by Arnold Lobel is an engaging, creatively illustrated early reader book that teaches children about overcoming loss and the importance of family. Known for his Frog and Toad books � also early readers � Lobel can clearly craft relevant fables with elephant protagonists as well. Uncle Elephant is narrated by a young elephant boy who has just received new that his parents have been lost at sea. He goes to stay with his Uncle Elephant whom he has never met. Though generations older, Uncle Elephant is a ton of fun and helps his nephew forget about the tragedy. They pretend to be a king and prince, go for walks in the garden together, and sing songs together. Each chapter shows the pair engaging in a different activity. One day, they receive news that the boy’s parents have been rescued! Uncle Elephant takes him home, and they part with the promise that they will get together again soon.
At 68 pages, this book is fairly long for an early reader, but time will pass quickly as children take in the clever illustrations and text. Children beginning to read alone will feel confident as they conquer each chapter. This book would work well as a read-aloud because Lobel incorporates fun sounds such as the “VOOMAROOM� of Uncle Elephant’s trumpet to welcome the dawn. Children and caregivers can make up their own tune and sing along with the “uncle and nephew duet� together. It was interesting to see elephants that live in a humanlike society of decades past. The uncle and nephew travel by train, use oil lamps, and communicate by telegram, which will give children the opportunity to ask questions about history. Children will feel comfortable in the setting, especially if they are fans of Babar the elephant. The narrator and his Uncle Elephant engage in activities without technology and have a wonderful time playing pretend, writing music, and talking to flowers. When the young elephant sees a family portrait that reminds him of his parents, Uncle Elephant cheers him up by trying on all of his clothes at once. This illustration is sure to prompt giggles from children of all ages.
Ultimately, Uncle Elephant demonstrates how family should come together in the face of loss. With Uncle Elephant’s quick wit and creative ideas, children will learn how humor can see us through tragic times. Hopefully, this book will even inspire parents to keep relatives a central part of their children’s� lives. When I read this book as a child, I compared Uncle Elephant to my two beloved uncles who thankfully lived close by. The nephew and uncle relationship reinforces the important role that uncles and aunts have in a child’s upbringing. Though this book is a few decades old, the story may be even more relevant in the modern world when family connections are sometimes only possible through screens.
At 68 pages, this book is fairly long for an early reader, but time will pass quickly as children take in the clever illustrations and text. Children beginning to read alone will feel confident as they conquer each chapter. This book would work well as a read-aloud because Lobel incorporates fun sounds such as the “VOOMAROOM� of Uncle Elephant’s trumpet to welcome the dawn. Children and caregivers can make up their own tune and sing along with the “uncle and nephew duet� together. It was interesting to see elephants that live in a humanlike society of decades past. The uncle and nephew travel by train, use oil lamps, and communicate by telegram, which will give children the opportunity to ask questions about history. Children will feel comfortable in the setting, especially if they are fans of Babar the elephant. The narrator and his Uncle Elephant engage in activities without technology and have a wonderful time playing pretend, writing music, and talking to flowers. When the young elephant sees a family portrait that reminds him of his parents, Uncle Elephant cheers him up by trying on all of his clothes at once. This illustration is sure to prompt giggles from children of all ages.
Ultimately, Uncle Elephant demonstrates how family should come together in the face of loss. With Uncle Elephant’s quick wit and creative ideas, children will learn how humor can see us through tragic times. Hopefully, this book will even inspire parents to keep relatives a central part of their children’s� lives. When I read this book as a child, I compared Uncle Elephant to my two beloved uncles who thankfully lived close by. The nephew and uncle relationship reinforces the important role that uncles and aunts have in a child’s upbringing. Though this book is a few decades old, the story may be even more relevant in the modern world when family connections are sometimes only possible through screens.
March 4, 2023
Uncle Elephant cares for his nephew after his parents are lost at sea.
This beginning reader contains a series of vignettes as Uncle Elephant cares for his grieving nephew and comforts him with presence. Like ’s other stories, they feature a gentle domesticity with high personal stakes and self-reflection.
Stories included:
� Uncle Elephant Opens the Door
� Uncle Elephant Counts the Poles
� Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp
� Uncle Elephant Trumpets the Dawn
� Uncle Elephant Feels the Creaks
� Uncle Elephant Tells a Story
� Uncle Elephant Wears His Clothes
� Uncle Elephant Writes a Song
� Uncle Elephant Closes the Door
In "Uncle Elephant Opens the Door," Uncle Elephant arrives to assume care of his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Counts the Poles," Uncle Elephant counts objects outside the train window as they travel to his house.
In "Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp," Uncle Elephant lights a lamp when he and his nephew arrive at his house.
In "Uncle Elephant Trumpets the Dawn," Uncle Elephant trumpets in the early morning light in his garden.
In "Uncle Elephant Feels the Creaks," Uncle Elephant describes the feeling of arthritis to his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Tells a Story," Uncle Elephant tells his nephew a story.
In "Uncle Elephant Wears His Clothes," Uncle Elephant dresses up comically to cheer up his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Writes a Song," Uncle Elephant writes a song for his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Closes the Door," Uncle Elephant takes his nephew back to his nephew's house after his parents return.
My favorite story is "Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp." The twist was cute and unexpected. And I am old enough to remember folks lighting kerosene table lamps on their kitchen tables at dusk even though the house was wired for electricity, which was a comforting and old fashioned habit.
This beginning reader contains a series of vignettes as Uncle Elephant cares for his grieving nephew and comforts him with presence. Like ’s other stories, they feature a gentle domesticity with high personal stakes and self-reflection.
Stories included:
� Uncle Elephant Opens the Door
� Uncle Elephant Counts the Poles
� Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp
� Uncle Elephant Trumpets the Dawn
� Uncle Elephant Feels the Creaks
� Uncle Elephant Tells a Story
� Uncle Elephant Wears His Clothes
� Uncle Elephant Writes a Song
� Uncle Elephant Closes the Door
In "Uncle Elephant Opens the Door," Uncle Elephant arrives to assume care of his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Counts the Poles," Uncle Elephant counts objects outside the train window as they travel to his house.
In "Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp," Uncle Elephant lights a lamp when he and his nephew arrive at his house.
In "Uncle Elephant Trumpets the Dawn," Uncle Elephant trumpets in the early morning light in his garden.
In "Uncle Elephant Feels the Creaks," Uncle Elephant describes the feeling of arthritis to his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Tells a Story," Uncle Elephant tells his nephew a story.
In "Uncle Elephant Wears His Clothes," Uncle Elephant dresses up comically to cheer up his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Writes a Song," Uncle Elephant writes a song for his nephew.
In "Uncle Elephant Closes the Door," Uncle Elephant takes his nephew back to his nephew's house after his parents return.
My favorite story is "Uncle Elephant Lights a Lamp." The twist was cute and unexpected. And I am old enough to remember folks lighting kerosene table lamps on their kitchen tables at dusk even though the house was wired for electricity, which was a comforting and old fashioned habit.
May 20, 2023
Read as an audiobook
I almost didn't rate Uncle Elephant. Not because I was going to DNF. But because I didn't know how I felt. I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. At least for the first one or two chapters. By the end, though, I liked it. Uncle Elephant is a sweet little story about a boy elephant and his old uncle that take him in when his parents go missing at sea. It didn't go too deep into grief as I would like, but I guess as a story for an "I Can Read" book, there is only so much depth.
Like I have to keep reminding myself: I am not the target audience for this book.
I almost didn't rate Uncle Elephant. Not because I was going to DNF. But because I didn't know how I felt. I didn't love it, nor did I hate it. At least for the first one or two chapters. By the end, though, I liked it. Uncle Elephant is a sweet little story about a boy elephant and his old uncle that take him in when his parents go missing at sea. It didn't go too deep into grief as I would like, but I guess as a story for an "I Can Read" book, there is only so much depth.
Like I have to keep reminding myself: I am not the target audience for this book.
May 31, 2023
Aparte de Frog and Toad, creo que este es el libro más hermoso de Arnold Lobel. La cantidad de sonrisas que esto puede sacar es impresionante y te enseña muchísimo sobre amor, duelo, esperanza, comedia, momentos felices y tristes y básicamente, que la familia es especial y única. En nuestros momentos más tristes y miserables, podemos tener el abrazo caliente de un ser querido y las risas para que se nos borren los malos recuerdos. Somos breves en este mundo, pero con la compañía amorosa y hermosa de nuestros seres queridos, somos eternos.
April 7, 2018
Not as funny as Mouse Soup or Frog and Toad, but still a sweet story perfect for beginning readers. The reading level is lower than Lobel's other works, making it a great entry point into chapter books. Lots of repeated phrases, short sentences, and short chapters giving readers a sense of accomplishment. Even though this is an older book, it is worth having in your library. This level of early chapter book is difficult to find.
February 28, 2019
A nice little beginning reader with a touching ending! What a nice Uncle Elephant!
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
June 27, 2020
The most depressing children’s book ever. On the first page, a young elephant is too sick to go on a boat ride, so his parents leave him home alone and go without him! And if that’s not horrible enough, they get lost at sea!! There are a few sweet stories near the end as he spends time with an Uncle who takes care of him when his parents are missing, but not enough to get past the terribly depressing start.
July 28, 2017
when a little elephant's mom and dad go missing his uncle elephant comes along to take care of him by telling stories, making up songs, trumpeting at the dawn and comforting him when he gets sad.
i love that lobel lets the little elephant feel his feels when he's sad but also shows that he is also happy with his uncle elephant and that is okay, too.
i love that lobel lets the little elephant feel his feels when he's sad but also shows that he is also happy with his uncle elephant and that is okay, too.
April 14, 2021
Cuando mis padres habían salido, yo estaba solo porque estaba resfriado y tenía la garganta irritada. Sorpresa~ De repente, Tio Elefante con muchas arrugas viene. Juntos, subimos al tren y compartimos manises y miramos por la ventana. Contamos campos, casas, postes de teléfono, y cacahuetes. El tren prosiguió su camino. Y nuestra aventura continuo~
November 28, 2022
LOVE love love this book. It enters into hardships, sadness, and displacement and comes out triumphant. Uncle Elephant is my hero! Today at dinner my son put a napkin on his head and said, "Am I the prince?" Then took an empty paper towel roll and tooted, "Voomaroom!"
This book clearly has had its impact on him, and it is a great on to do so. I love it!
This book clearly has had its impact on him, and it is a great on to do so. I love it!
April 11, 2023
ZIO ELEFANTE di Arnold Lobel. Un dolcissimo racconto illustrato con testo in stampatello maiuscolo che affronta di tema della genitorialità condivisa e della magia che si riversa sul mondo, e nella quotidianità, quando lo sguardo dell'adulto e del bambino si incontrano e completano a vicenda. Da 4 anni <3
#zioelefante #babalibri #superbaba
#zioelefante #babalibri #superbaba
December 26, 2023
Everybody needs a kindly Uncle Elephant to soothe their anxieties! Our little elephant narrator is afraid because his parents haven't come back, but Uncle soon arrives and keeps them occupied with imagination, games, and rhyme and song. Gentle and reassuring, this lovely little Arnold Lobel tale reinforces the importance of a benevolent older role model who likes to have fun!
November 15, 2018
A very cute book about Uncle Elephant helping his nephew grieve the disappearance of his parents, in cute and imaginative “little� ways, to help him heal and open up without talking about death or loss.
February 26, 2019
This is a sweet story about a boy who loses his parents and his uncle comes to his rescue. He and Uncle Elephant become good friends and have many adventures. My beginning reader son loved this book! And so did I.
April 20, 2020
I think for kindergarten to first grade this book is amazing especially if your kid loves elephants it is a fun little story your kid could read or you could read to him I also recommend it in schools it is a fun book and kindergarten to first grade kids would like to read it
June 14, 2020
When a little elephant’s parents disappear during a boating trip, Uncle Elephant arrives and takes the little elephant home with him. Very sweet and tender, with only a tiny bit of silliness. Lovely, warm illustrations.
February 1, 2021
This is an emotional little book! Unlike modern children's lit, it has some peril in it, and the heaviness of loss (which is lightened at the end with tear-jerking sweetness). The song in the middle is hilarious, and the whole book just overwhelms with its humanity (elephants notwithstanding).
August 19, 2021
This book has many great stories divided into chapters. The reading level is for around early second grade. There are good lessons about making the best of a difficult, sad situation, adjusting to change, and remembering that there are many who love us and can take care of us.
May 21, 2022
I loved this book because the overall tone was somewhat slow and melancholy, letting kids know its OK to feel melancholy sometimes. It is also respectful of the fact that the narrator may have possibly lost his parents even though it doesn't dwell on that in the stories.
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