I'm Going to Sneeze! - Said the Elephant

Im 19 right now... But I remember my mother reading this story to me and my older sister ever since I was about 4 years old. We had the story up until a couple years ago. Then my little brother got a hold of it and tore it up. So now I am buying a new one. This story is so funny. I recommend this to all children and parents.

I got this book when I was a kid and at 42 years of age still have my original copy and still love it. I just bought a copy for a friend's daughter and plan on buying many more to share how great this memory was for me.

This was my favorite book when I was in 1st and 2nd grades. Now, I'm passing the book on to my son, who is a second grader. It is great to read aloud, too! Once I get it, I'll have to practice all the different voices so I can read it to my son's class at school!

I am 40, and used to read this book when I was in elementary school. My mom loved this book so much, she would have me check it out of the school library once a year, so SHE could read it.
Anyway, I have a new nephew and I just had to buy this book for him. His mom reads it to him, and he says "Boo" every time the mouse does. Too cute! The drawings are cute too!

This book I bought for my library that I have for when my grandchildren visit. The story is funny. The illustrations are great. And they ask me to read it over and over again. four and five year old they are.

My kids and I love this book! The rhyming and visualizations are amazing! I read this to my boys with excitement when they were little and now they read it to me in the same way! It is so wonderful. I will keep this book for them to read to their children.

The title says it all. I had this book as a child and purchased it fairly recently to be able to read it to my new grandson. I will always make sure this book is passed down to our family's future children.

The elephant, of course, is going to sneeze. (Actually, there are youtube videos of elephants sneezing and not much happens because of it, but realism isn't the point, now is it?) So he warns everybody, and they start giving these long (long! don't read this book to a kiddo with a short attention span!) pleas, reminding him of the disaster that struck the LAST time he sneezed - the bear went bare, and all the hippopotamuseses fell on their bottomuseses, the feathers fell off the birds and the flowers off the trees.... Well! It was not a pretty picture.

But the poor elephant is undeterred. He MUST sneeze. He WILL sneeze... until he doesn't.

And this is so surprising he starts to laugh, and, well...

maybe he should have sneezed instead, that's all I can say.

This was my favorite book I read to my children. I recently moved and couldn't find it. I now have a grand daughter and wanted to start reading it to her. I was delighted I could still find it! She loves it, too!!!

This book is so hilarious! My husband uses different voices for each of the animals which make it even more exciting to our children. They love the way the book rhymes, and the illustrations are superb!!!

I grew up with this one and loved it. I just bought it for my nephew. It's is a fun book that talks about lots of different animals and what will happen to them if the elephant sneezes. When he does sneeze we then get to see what does really happen to all the animals. The rhymes are fun. The children I have read it to have all really enjoyed it.

This was a favorite of our sons when they were small and still have it. I bought a new one for our granddaughter. The book was brand new and in great condition. I would purchase from this seller again!

I bought this book for my children many years. I kept it for my granddaughter and it became her favorite. She is now 16 and still remembers me reading and acting out the book. I now have 2 new granddaughter ages 2 & 4, I started looking for the book and could not find it. Went on line and was able to find it again. It's a great feeling hearing my granddaughter giggle and I once again act out this book for them (I'm 63 years old now).

This is one of the BEST Children's Books to read to young children or to have the children read it themselves. It is hilarious. Even as an adult -- I love to read this book and get the giggles from the youngsters....and I get a kick out of it myself!!! You have to read it with enthusiasm to get the full effect. You will never be sorry you purchased this book!!

My 2.5 year old loves books with stories and characters with emotions. He's able to keep up with most stories but this one is quite long and has lots of words not yet in his vocabulary. My husband and I laughed out loud at the story but my little one not so much just yet.

Love this book. My mom use to read this to me and my sister with such enthusiasm it was one of my best memories. I bought it as a gift to my sister when we grew up and also for my granddaughter. I think it is a timeless book! Lots of laughs and lots of wonderful pictures that kids will love.

The illustrations are fantastic. The writing is clever. But for a children's picture book, it's just too wordy! Hate to say it, but the rhymes barely fit on a page and cover too much of the illustrations. I love a well-written book, but this is overwritten. I have to abridge it while reading to keep my childrens attention. Still, I would recommend this book for animal loving children and parents.

I have cleaned up the two "Stand Back..." books I ordered for grandkids - didn't want to go through the hassle of returning items so close to Christmas. Maybe it was just a fluke with these two copies of the book, but this is what I found:

The dust covers of both books were stuck to the outer back side (and also slightly on the front side) of the books. I gently pulled the covers off, with slight damage to the dust covers in the process. Then I took a wet "Dobie" scrubber and scrubbed off the sticky substance that was on the outside of each book. Both books cleaned up pretty well, with only minor damage to the dust covers and the front endpaper when trying to clean them up. I pressed the books under a pile of heavy books overnight to remove the buckles in the paper. I think the granddaughters will still love them!

This book is so hiliarious, this book is one of my favorites when I was a kid and it is still one of my favorites now. The rhyme and illustrations of this story are perfect. This story is about an elephant who is going to sneeze and all of the elephant's buddies shouted, "Do not sneeze." All of the animals had hiliarious past experiences about the elephant's sneeze like the crocodile's snout turns inside out, the feathers of the birds were blown off, the bear's fur was blown off, the stingers of the bees were removed and they had to use glue and rose thorns, he blew the monkeys out of their trees, even the zebra's stripes were blown off until a mouse shows up and everything went to an hiliarious end. I recommended you to buy this funny story to yourselves and read this story to your kids and trust me they will like it. I gave this hiliarious story 5 stars.

" "Stand back," said the elephant,
"I'm going to sneeze!
I hate to alarm you,
But I don't wish to harm you......"

The animals, having experienced one of elephant's sneezes in the past all beg him to please not sneeze! Each one recalls what happened in great rhyming format. For example the bear lost all his hair, the crocodile had his snout turned inside out and the zebra lost his stripes! What can they do to stop him sneezing? Nothing it seems as the elephant tells them to "run, fly and hop."

Is it too late or can one little creature prevent disaster? It may but then what does the elephant do? A very funny ending!

GREAT book! One of our favorites! Easy to read and delightfully illustrated.

I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him.
The story is funny and involves lots of jungle animals. It also has suspense. Will the elephant sneeze or not? This book allows the reader to use a lot of different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.
Later, when my son had grown older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this book and performed it in children's theater. It was always a hit.
I highly recommend this story to people who have or work with young children.

I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him.
The story is funny and involves lots of jungle animals. It also has suspense. Will the elephant sneeze or not? This book allows the reader to use a lot of different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.
Later, when my son had grown older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this book and performed it in children's theater. It was always a hit.
I highly recommend this story to people who have or work with young children.

Ms. Thomas captures not only the elephant's heartbreaking struggle with what is likely an undiagnosed allergy or sinus abnormality, but also the psychological toll taken on the wider zoological community as a result of the elephant's nasal issues. Take the poor zebra, a once-dignified animal reduced to a sniveling wreck by apparent post-traumatic stress. Yipes, indeed. Or the bees, their populations already devastated by colony collapse disorder, losing both their wings and their stings. All of this, not to mention the cruelly ironic twist ending, can be be almost too much to "bear," but it is vital that we read on and internalize the hard-won lessons of this magnificent text. Bravo.

I purchased this book because of the great reviews and we have not been disappointed! My children and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book together as it creates much entertainment as they pretend to "sneeze" and send their toys flying across the room. The rhymes are thoughtfully put together, well-phrased and very entertaining. The illustrations are fun as well and lend themselves to using ones imagination to further each scene. I would highly recommend this for a wide variety of ages, this will be a book we enjoy for years to come.

This book was a fondly remembered childhood favorite for me in the 80s. I purchased this copy for myself. I'm sad to see it isn't very well known. I plan to be sure my grandchildren have it read to them often. When my children finally have kids I will purchase a copy for each child. But now I will also have my own copy....I haven't had once since I was 12.... Mine was lost. I'm 41 and still have never forgotten it. Excellent book for any age.

I used to read this book to my son, John, when he was little and he absolutely loved it. He never tired of hearing me read it to him.
The story is funny and involves lots of jungle animals. It also has suspense. Will the elephant sneeze or not? This book allows the reader to use a lot of different voices and a lot of drama, something young children love.
Later, when my son had grown older, I joined an acting troupe, memorized this book and performed it in children's theater. It was always a hit.
I highly recommend this story to people who have or work with young children.

I bought this book for my 4 1/2 year old son, and he begged me to read it just after he opened it. It's a very engaging book and held his attention pretty well. The only gripe I would have is that it is very repetitious. Over and over again it describes the animals reasons for the elephant not to sneeze. But he still enjoyed it, and he would say the last line of just about every page, "Please Don't Sneeze". I would not recommend this book for children much younger than him, due to the chance of them getting board by the repetition. But I would definately recommend that any child 4 or over read this book. The illustrations are very bright and lively, and quite silly on some.

This is one of the books my mother used to help me learn to read as well as Dr. Seuss and other rhyming nonsense verse that makes reading fun and engaging to a young child. The artwork is classic and the rhyme will hold any child rapt and eager to hear more. I have such fond memories of listening to mom read this book and learning to read it to myself. Highly recommend.

Bought this book for my daughter 25 years ago for her brother to read to her. This is a Christmas for my sons daughter wh will be 2. This book is marvelous. The way it rhymes and the pictures it catches a child's interest. They end up remembering the verses and repeating them. My only wish is that I could get the copy that had more rhyming stories in it. My daughter still has her copy and reads it to her 3 year old son. Thank you for such a cherishe treasure. I believe when I bought the first copy it was a Caldecott winner.

I ordered this book at the end of November and I've still not received it. It was a gift for my mother. She loves this book and after she lost it in the Greensburg, KS tornado in 2007, I've been trying to get it replaced. I'm so very disappointed. I've never had problems with the store before. I'm very sad...

I selected this book at random from the Scholastic Book Club when I was in first grade. That was almost 30 years ago. I am an avid reader and this is my favorite book of all time. From the time my oldest son could sit still long enough to listen, he has heard it over and over again. One of my most memorable experiences as a parent was sharing this story with my son's Kindergarten class. You will not truly know the full power of this story until you read it to a group of fifteen or more 5- and 6-year-olds shrieking "PLEASE DON'T SNEEEEEEZE!" at the end of each page. By the end of the book, my ears were ringing. My orginal copy is very worn now, so I bought a new one for my son. I'm sending his teacher a copy as a thank-you for letting me share it with her class. Buy it, memorize it, share it, and, most of all, enjoy it!

This is a great book. I have a copy of this book published in 1971, and it has been my favorite ever since. I have also enjoyed sharing this book with my 3 year old who can recite if almost word for word. The elephant, who has to sneeze, is desperately trying to keep his friends out of harms way, in this deliciously poetic childrens story. The book just keeps moving along without a dull moment. A must read for anyone who loves reading to children.

I purchased this book when I was a nursery school teacher. Then I purchased it for my first child. 26 years later, I am still purchasing it... for all my babies... my grandchildren...my nieces (just had my first nephew... haven't bought him the book yet!). We have grown apart over the years... me in CA, them in Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama... yet at least once a month I get a call... "Will you read me Stand back Said the Elephant?"...even though they own the book! I always do it willingly... and with great pleasure! This is one of those books that your children will be buying for their grandchildren. It always makes me feel young again to read this book to one of my "babies".

My mother used to read this to me when I was a young child. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. This poor elephant is about to sneeze and all of the other animals are begging him not to. They are doing everything they can to get him to NOT sneeze. They begin to recall what happened last time the elephant sneezed. Major chaos for all of the other animals. The writer is so creative when it comes to what happens to each of the animals. For example, the zebra yelled yipes as it lost its strips. It is so cute and imaginative. As each animal recalls what happened last time they are willing to do anything to get the elephant to stop from sneezing. This book has a creative ending with a twist. I still love this book. I pick it up from time to time to bring back those wonderful memories of my mother reading to me.

I had this book as a child and my children love it and I’m getting it for my first grandchild. I have special voices for each of the animals and that makes the read even better. My teenage kids still have me read it to them.

I bought this book when my daughter,who is now 44 yrs. old, was a child. I would read it out loud to her, and I would notice that everyone in the room had quit visiting and was listening to me read the story. The adult men were sitting there glued to the funny words and rhymes. It became a family favorite for all of us. I still have her tattered book, and her two daughters have enjoyed it through the years also. Now, in a few years, I will hopefully have some great grandchildren to read it to. It's just simply among the best of the best!!

I remember my Mom reading this book to me when I was very young, and now I have the extreme pleasure of reading it to my 3 boys 30 years later!!! It is a fabulous rolliking, rhyming tale of all the animals in the jungle pleading with the elephant not to sneeze...it calls for all sorts of silly voices & is a joy to read! My 3 year old finishes the sentences now & mimics the voice I use. It is a family treasure from my childhood & I am so lucky to have found it again!

I am 26 and this was my favorite bedtime story EVER. I can still recite it from memory. My mom read it to me and then when my sister was young, I read it to her. I think I had even more fun being the reader. The story is adorable and goofy and even suspenseful! Not only will your child/sister/nephew, love this book, you will get a big kick out of reading it too! GET IT NOW!

This is one of my favorite children's books ever, one that I remember reading when I was a child (probably twenty years ago!). It's told in a rhyming format (like a Dr. Seuss book) and full of cute, silly conversation among jungle animals regarding an elephant who is about to sneeze. This is silly fun that's great for kids who are being read to (plenty of opportunity for voices during storytelling) or for children who are just past the beginning stages of being able to read themselves.

I can still remember by mom reading this book to my brother, sister, and me when we were little. Such a great book! It is fun for both the listener and the reader. Mom had different voices for all the animals and the simple premise--Will the elephant sneeze?--somehow became so exciting and dramatic.

This was a childhood favorite that I was lucky enough to read forward to my two kiddos. It was read to me at the laundromat on Saturdays as that's where the only copy I knew of was. Later I purchased as a young adult for when the time came to read it to my own. Alos, this book is a must have for any Pre-K classroom or child of the same age. Wonderful artwork...clever dialogue...and a surprise ending! My preschool class LOVED it when I read this one.

My almost 2 year old loves this book. Her favorite part is the oft repeated, "Please. Don't sneeze!" (Which I embellish for humor.) The rhythm is infectious and jeeps her attention. Very well written .

I read to local schoolchildren every Friday. Of all the books I have read them, this one is THE ONE that captured their attention and kept them in stitches....They were actually excited when I left...still laughing. I have been unable to find another book that "caught" them as this one did.

I loved this book when I was a child and all three of my children love/d it too :-) What the best part is is that I remember my stepmother reading me this book and she'd speed up and slow down or do voices and I've enjoyed ever so much doing the same thing for my kiddos.

I remember my mom reading me this book. It was one of my favorites, because it is so funny! I have found a few copies used, but this is the first time that I've seen it availiable new. It is a wonderful book that my students and nephews love.
It can also be used for some great discussions about real and pretend, animals that live in Africa, and for practice with rhyming words.

When my younger sister received this book as a birthday gift some 25 years ago, it became an immediate favorite of hers and of our four younger siblings. All the animals of the jungle try to persuade the elephant not to sneeze by reminding him of all the terribly hilarious things that happened to them the last time. The ryhmes are great! The illustrations fantastic. And the outcome... well you must read it your self. I'm buying it for all my nieces and nephews. It was one of my siblings favorite nap time stories along with Be Nice to Spiders. It has always reminded me of one of my favorite childhood books 'I can't!' said the Ant.

My three children and I have read this book together over and over laughing every time. And now each of them and I continue to laugh while reading it with their children.
I am now buying another copy for another grandchild and look forward to her saying Please don't SNEEZE!

My mother picked this book up at a yard sale for a quarter when my son was an infant. I began reading it to him, and then my other 2 children when they were old enough. It is a family favorite in our house. My 13 year old son just found it, packed away for safe-keeping, and informed me "it's story night tonight!" They all love to get involved by helping make the voices (because there absolutely has to be different ones for each animal!) and it is one big laugh from start to finish! I would (and do) recommend this book to everyone who reads to their kids!

Someone gave me this book when I was little, and now that I have a son I've been able to pass it on to him. The rhythm and silliness of the rhymes makes this a very enjoyable and special book for both of us.

I received the hardcover version of this book when I was only 8 years old. Now I'm 26 and recently began reading it to my own children. Children truly enjoy it and it's a great way to bond with your little loved ones.

We had this book when we were young (I'm now 32) and it just never gets old! I LOVE IT! Somehow the book we had got lost so I am ordering one for my family. I have a daughter that I know will love it just the same as I did! Its hilarious and fun! I would recommend this book over and over to anyone who has kids (and maybe to those without!) Its great for all ages and it really brings me back to my childhood!

We read this book so often when we were kids that I'm pretty sure each of my siblings has it memorized!!! When I was growing up my mom spent hours reading to her kids. This was one of our favorites!! I am definitely buying this book for my kids!

This is absolutely the best book I've ever purchased for my children and now I'm purchasing it for my grand daughter. The rhyme and illustrations are super. Every one can relate to a hearty sneeze but imagine an elephant's sneeze...what a ruckus it causes! I have to laugh just thinking about it! Very entertaining to adults and children alike...a must have in your child's library!

I read this book to my first son when he was 3 and to his brother and sister while they grew up.Now that 3 year old boy is 25 and I'm buying it for my grand daughter. I have read this WONDERFUL book so many times over the years that I still know most of the words by heart! I highly recomend it,the rhyming makes the story line contagious,and the illustration is brillant!

I have been walking down memory lane a LOT and this is one of my FAVORITE little books and I still have my copy that is now 35 years old! I decided to get on here "just to see" if it was still out there and it IS! I loved it then and still do...fun rhyme and great pictures. Made my day seeing it on here

This rhyming poem is great to read to little children. Although nonsensical, it makes children laugh at the antics of the different animals. You can use it to build knowledge about the different animals and their response to the elephant sneezing. The rhyming stays with children and makes them laugh. One of our little ones says it makes her belly tickle.

This is a book that is fun for all ages. It has great rhythmn and movement in the verses. It is wonderfully illustrated. I took this book into each of my kids Kindergarten classes and the kids wanted me to bring it again the next time I visited. They paid attention and laughed just as hard the second time.

Like everyone else that has commented on this book - It is my all time favorite story. I'm 38 years old and I still have my original copy given to me by my grandmother at age 6. My 3 children all delight in this book as well. The pictures are great and it is just the right length for a bedtime story. This book makes memories for children and is worthy of handing down from generation to generation.

I have great memories of my dad reading me this book when I was little. It has always been one of my families favorites and we always quote it. I know read it to my nieces and nephews when they come over and it's always one of thier favorites as well.

I grew up having this book read to me, and now I can share it with my daughter. I just love the illustrations and the story is so funny - my daughter laughs out loud when I read certain parts. I highly recommend this book.

Wallace Tripp's illustrations bring Patty Thomas' fun and lively story to life in a brilliant way. Thank you Ms. Thomas, and Mr. Tripp for creating this entertaining story and jaw dropping illustrations! It's not just a collector's item, it's a collector's dream.

My 6 and 4 year olds were not thrilled by this book. It's about an elephant that's going to sneeze and the other animals are upset because the sneeze will "blow their stripes off" and "turn their snout inside out". My kids felt bad for the elephant and said the other animals weren't being kind. I found it funny but I can see my kids point.