“What if? Why not? Could it be?

When a fortune teller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchenne knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortune teller’s mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead you there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true. With atmospheric illustrations by fine artist Yoko Tanaka, here is a dreamlike and captivating tale that could only be told by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. In this timeless fable, she evokes the largest of themes; hope and belonging, desire and compassion, with the lightness of a magician’s touch.”

I had originally purchased this book for my nephew’s birthday, and somehow ended up reading it before I even gave it to him. Poor kid ended up with a lightly used novel, I look all the crispness right out of it. (Obviously we’re talking about a paperback here… just to clarify.)

It is not a particularly long story, ideal for the kid who enjoys a mystical aspect in their books. It’s also… different. Not quite your ‘cut and dry’ type of kids book. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who prefers things straightforward and direct.

/5