Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Starred Review When Poe, a huge elephant sporting a fedora and an unhappy expression, plops himself down in the middle of the road, the citizens of Prickly Valley outstandingly diverse lot in Ohora's cartoon illustrations ite to find a way to get him to move. Unfortunately, all their horn honking, music blasting, tugging, and tickling come to naught. Not mice nor motivational speakers, copters, cranes, or "clowns with horn squeakers" can get Poe to budge. When at last a hijab-wearing child named Marigold suggests asking him why, the derisive townsfolk admit that they don't speak elephant. "Well, anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough," she responds, and, sure enough, it turns out he's waiting for a tardy friend . . . or, more precisely, on a friend, as he discovers when he stands up (at a news reporter's suggestion) to reveal his cheery buddy, Moe the monkey. DiPucchio's rhythmic narrative, which breaks into rhyme partway through, makes for a swinging, sometimes silly read-aloud. The pictures are likewise playful, with an immense pink pachyderm at their visual centers, and will be easily discernible to small or large audiences. Best of all, by offering an example of the value of listening better to other voices (and, for that matter, to public media), the episode makes a timely point.

Horn Book

Massive elephant Poe is sitting in the middle of Prickly Valley's only road, and he "won't go." The perturbed townspeople encourage Poe to leave, but all attempts fail until a young girl asks him why. It turns out that Poe has been waiting for--and unknowingly sitting on--his friend Moe, a monkey. This humorous, offbeat story's outlandish scenarios are nicely supported by quirky, playful acrylic and pencil illustrations.

Kirkus Reviews

A pink elephant named Poe sits in the middle of a town's only road and won't budge—until someone bothers to find out why he's there.The people of Prickly Valley aren't happy that Poe is blocking their road. A traffic jam forms. People honk and yell at Poe. A traffic cop writes him a ticket. When that doesn't work, they try making all sorts of noises to shoo him away, from trombones to tap dancing, then turn to begging and bribing. They bring mice, cranes, and magicians. The mayor forms committees. Balloons, fire hoses, and the force of all the people in town can't get Poe to go. Finally, a brown-skinned girl named Marigold, who's wearing a hijab that reflects her name, asks the mayor (a pink-skinned woman with white hair and pearls) if anyone has thought to ask Poe why he won't go. Marigold, who is "fluent in both kitten and hedgehog," says that "anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough." She climbs up and listens closely to Poe, who smiles for the first time, then she tells the crowd Poe is waiting for a friend. The mayor doesn't believe her, but a news reporter thinks he may have seen Poe's friend. OHora's matte-finish acrylic-and-pencil illustrations are reminiscent of Madeline's but with a pink and gold palette; Marigold is an endearing heroine. After the buildup and anticipation though, the story's conclusion (Poe was sitting on his friend, a monkey named Moe) is more puzzling than satisfying.A cute escapade for the silliest readers. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this collaboration from DiPucchio (Gaston) and OHora (The Teacher-s Pet), a bright pink elephant wearing a jaunty Tyrolean hat impedes traffic in Prickly Valley. Indifferent to honking, ticketing, tickling, pushing, and mayoral decree (-They blew trombones and blasted megaphones-), Poe simply will not move. Finally, Marigold, a girl wearing a stylish floral hijab, proposes a different approach: -Has anyone asked Poe why he won-t go?- Initially ridiculed for her idea, Marigold perseveres (-Anyone can speak elephant if they just listen hard enough-), and when Poe reveals his sweet reason for staying, kindness and open communication prevail over anger and assumption. OHora-s illustrations are a treat. He infuses the characters, even nameless townspeople, with unique personalities and styles, and shifts in perspective-from wide views that depict Poe surrounded by cars and crowds to close spreads that show only Poe-s shocked expression and a tiny, satisfied Marigold-inspire a deeper audience connection with this patient elephant and wise youth. Ages 3-5. Author-s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator-s agent: Sean McCarthy, Sean McCarthy Literary. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 2 One morning, the town of Prickly Valley wakes up to find an elephant named Poe sitting in the middle of the town's only road. Various residents try everything they can think of to get Poe to go. They honk horns, push, pull, make noise, and beg, all to no avail. Pandemonium escalates as they bring in mice, clowns, magicians, firefighters, and even a peanut on roller skates. Poe won't budge. Finally, a little girl suggests that they simply ask Poe why he won't go. She is already fluent in both kitten and hedgehog and says anyone can understand elephant if they just listen hard enough. A short conversation and its surprising resulting revelation later, Poe is on his way, proving that a little kindness and understanding can provide the simplest solution. The acrylic-and-pencil illustrations render Poe larger than life and though gentle, he appears unhappy and befuddled by the townspeople's attempts to relocate him. By the story's end, he is smiling and doffing his absurdly small hat to the kind little girl. VERDICT A fun read-aloud that reinforces the importance of communication. A solid choice for storytime and small group sharing. Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA