The Elephant, by Peter Carnavas, is a great book for young readers that have just begun to read chapter books. The magnificent plot of this story is about a young, sweet-hearted girl who imagines grief as big, grey animals. She imagines her father has a big, grey elephant next to him at all times, because of his depression. Olive is an only child who lives with her grandpa, who brings colour to her world, and her father, with an elephant always beside him. It is a narrative book about a little girl who is worried about her Dad, and has a big elephant following her around.

Ms MacLean likes the book because she loves the character and the story has a big twist. She recommends it for students from Year 4 and up. It is a Premier's Reading Challenge Book.

Other books Ms MacLean recommends are 'The Shop at Hoopers Bend' and 'Arthur'.

by Gemma