The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood (review)

Reviewed by: The Boy and the Elephant by Freya Blackwood Danica Ronquillo Blackwood, Freya The Boy and the Elephant; written and illus. by Freya Black-wood. Random House, 2024 40p Trade ed. ISBN 9780593707661 19. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593707685 10. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-8 yrs Alone at school and at home, a quiet young boy is overwhelmed living in a bustling city. He finds peace and company, though, in an overgrown lot next to his apartment where he meets with a special friend: a patch of trees shaped like an elephant. When the lot is sold, however, and builders plan to cut the trees down, the boy must find a way to save his friend. In Blackwood's wordless picture book, pencil-and-oil-paint illustrations on watercolor paper delicately explore environmental conservation, friendship, and imagination. The urban and wildlife settings dominate full spreads, while horizontal and vertical panels and vignettes zoom in to highlight the tender bond between the boy and the elephant. The saturated color palette and loose expressive line work feel cozy and whimsical, enhanced by the balance of light and shadow, side aerial perspectives, and blurred textures. Negative End Page 353 space is expertly used to depict the boy's loneliness when he walks home alone and wanders around the house while his parents are busy with work. The boy's compassionate nature extends to the other trees he envisions as various animals, and an unforgettable ending sees them settled into a new green space after he marches them through the city. Aspiring young activists will treasure this poignant book, making it a wonderful addition to an Earth Day collection and encouraging them to look closely at the beauty the world has to offer. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois