Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--Mabel's new school year is challenging in many ways--from her teacher who, according to Mabel, is focused only on homework to her new house and bus route and her family's other responsibilities. Mabel is feeling left out and struggles to share her hardships when she notices an elephant who is learning what it takes to be an imaginary friend. This title is a unique addition for those moving beyond early reader graphic novels but who aren't quite ready for denser panels and more text. Mabel and her family don't look traditionally human with their stick-figure limbs, but are illustrated to show great expressions. Mister Elephant is reminiscent of Gerald from Mo Willems's "Piggie and Elephant" and is often surrounded by bright colors and humor that ease what can be a lonely time for kids who are feeling overlooked and overwhelmed by change. The book is strengthened by the unique choice to add arrows with text tags to offer additional information or explanation. For example, readers will get a giggle from an illustration of Mister Elephant hidden in a box, with a label pointed to it reading, "if he fits, he sits." Mabel's big feelings and Mister Elephants friendship are genuine and will be fun to read as they move onto additional titles in this new series. Mabel and her family are white with more diversity among the students at Mabel's school. VERDICT Mister Elephant and Mabel will find their way into readers' hearts if this title is promoted for its strengths. A strong addition but an additional one.--Danielle Schwessinger
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A lonely, creative second grader manifests a new pal. Mabel's friends have been moved to another classroom, and her parents are busy raising twin infants and working from home. Mabel's been having trouble focusing in class--but who can she turn to? After some covert appearances, an imaginary friend is revealed in the form of a pachyderm named Mr. Elephant (Mr. E for short). He's a humorous playmate, a sympathetic sounding board, and even a voice of reason when Mabel's insecurities get the best of her. Mabel fully understands that Mr. E isn't real; indeed, his actions give her a way to cope with her own clumsiness and forgetfulness as she blames mishaps such as knocking over the classroom easels on her new companion. The highly expressive Mr. E brings a visual flair to the artwork, comprised mostly of stick figure--like characters. Words scrawled in a handwritten font, interspersed throughout the illustrations, add context to Mabel's perception of the world (an arrow pointing to the words "time moving extra slowly" beside the classroom clock, for instance). The story is all rising action, ending as it does on a cliffhanger, but readers will be eager to see what's next for Mabel and Mr. E. Mabel and her family are light-skinned, and her school's population is diverse. An absorbing series opener that celebrates the escapism of imaginative play.(Graphic fiction. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
