Zola's Elephant

Illustrated by two-time Caldecott-honor winning artist Pamela Zagarenski, this tender, witty friendship story of imagination gone wild, by New York Times bestselling author Randall de Sève, shows how assumptions often cause us to misjudge—and miss out. But with a little courage, new opportunities and new friendships can be made.

When Zola moves into the neighborhood, her new next-door neighbor is too shy to go over and introduce herself. Plus, Zola already has a friend to play with—an elephant!
     What we imagine is not always true, as the little girl discovers. Luckily, she also discovers that being brave can lead to new friendships—and even richer imaginary worlds—in this heartwarming book about friendship, moving, and the power of imagination by New York Times best-selling author Randall de Sève and Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator Pamela Zagarenski. |

"Vivid pages abound with the gem-like layered mixed-media paintings in the signature style of this two-time Caldecott Honor Book illustrator. Whimsical and surreal details, both real and make-believe, celebrate the joy of pretending with a new friend."--Booklist, STARRED review   "De Sève's well-paced telling is charmingly abetted by Zagarenski's layered multimedia paintings. The artist's Klee-esque colors and signature symbols—stars, crowns, houses, bees and more—will provide fertile ground for young readers' own imaginings...A lovely, nuanced collaboration."--Kirkus, STARRED review   "Zagarenski’s textured and detailed illustrations will capture children’s imaginations, and will have them enthralled as they follow the many smaller animal familiars through the pages. A must-purchase."--School Library Journal, STARRED review   "Jewel-box artwork by Caldecott Honor artist Zagarenski recalls the exquisite detail of Persian miniatures."--Publishers Weekly   "The text’s dive into social paralysis gives this depth beyond the usual new-friends story."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books?