Strictly No Elephants

I purchased one copy to donate this Christmas, then bought another as a gift for my six year old. One of the best children's stories I have read in a very long time, this book is fantastic for teaching a gentle lesson about acceptance and friendship. The illustrations are beautiful as well, and I know this will be one of those treasured stories my daughter returns to again and again.

A boy has a very special friend, his pet elephant. He also has a problem – his elephant. The Pet Club is for dogs and cats; no elephants admitted. They are disappointed until they find other pet owners with unusual pets. They start a club where everyone and every pet is welcome.
This is a delightful book about inclusiveness and friendship and has brightly colored pictures of cityscapes.

This is the most DARLING and wonderful book about kindness and inclusion and unconditional love. It made me cry in the best way. Buy this for every kid you know and the grownups you know who are kids at heart.

I bought this book for my niece. She loves elephant and this book was just perfect for her! The message of friendship and inclusion is very sweet! The illustration is so adorable and has lovely details.

This book is adorable. I loved the small lessons about friendship. A boy has a pet elephant who doesn't like walking on cracks in the sidewalk. The boy helps him over the cracks because that's what friends do. When they go to Pet Club, there is a sign saying "Strictly No Elephants." As they walk away, the elephant doesn't mind the cracks because his boy is sad, and friends are brave for each other when needed. The boy finds a girl with a pet skunk, and they decide to start their own club where everyone is welcome.

This book reminded me of The Berenstain Bears No Girls Allowed, which was one of my favorites from childhood. When I re-read that book recently, I was startled to find that it had some disturbing comments about gender roles. Strictly No Elephants is the inclusion book for a new generation. It has the same great message, and it also features a tree house, which was one of the main reasons I loved No Girls Allowed as a child.

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Great read. It's a favorite in my private practice waiting room library for children. Love how it speaks to inclusion - never leaving anyone behind. Such a great reminder for children and all. Love the illustrations.

This book was absolutely beautiful. The illustrations are colorful and cute, and the writing was poetic and heartwarming. The entire message is about inclusion and what it means to be a true friend. I think it is a must in everyone's classroom (or even for your own house library).