Little Elliot, Big City

By Mike Curato

Amid the hustle and bustle of the big city, the big crowds and bigger buildings, Little Elliot leads a quiet life. In spite of the challenges he faces, Elliot finds many wonderful things to enjoy—like cupcakes! And when his problems seem insurmountable, Elliot discovers something even sweeter—a friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Dec 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781466887893

Mike Curato

Mike Curato is the award-winning author and illustrator of the Little Elliot series and the graphic novel Flamer, and has illustrated a number of other books for children, including What If… (by Samantha Berger), Worm Loves Worm, and All the Way to Havana.

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Reviews for Little Elliot, Big City

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Little Elliot was a small polka-dotted elephant who lived in New York City - Brooklyn, by the look of the brownstones and the bridge. Although in many ways he enjoyed living in a big city. sometimes his small stature made things difficult. He often felt overwhelmed by the crowds in the subway, and had difficulty with infrastructure made for larger residents. His growing feeling of despondency at this state of affairs reached its peak when he couldn't even buy a cupcake - his favorite treat - because he was too short to be seen over the bakery counter. Feeling blue, Elliot was wandering along obliviously... until he met a mouse who was smaller even than he, and who needed his help.An adorable book, Little Elliot, Big City - hopefully the first of many picture-books featuring this winsome elephant-mouse duo - pairs an appealing story and beautiful artwork. Elliot is a hero sure to strike a chord with young children who themselves must often confront a world that is physically out of scale with their smaller bodies. The message that often our own troubles can either be forgotten, or at least put into perspective when we help others with their problems, is communicated without any overtly didactic fanfare, and the happy ending, in which Elliot has found a friend (something even better than cupcakes!), leaves the reader feeling satisfied. The illustrations, which reminded me very strongly of Chris Van Allsburg's work, are just lovely, capturing the charm of a historical New York (the cars and clothing feels very 1930s to me), as well as the emotional ups and downs of the hero's experiences. Recommended to anyone looking for appealing picture-books for younger children, or for stories for young people set in New York City.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

How cute is Elliot? So cute, that when I set the book on the table to read, by the time I turned back from pouring a drink, my 20 yo son had grabbed the book and was reading it. And when he was done he said, yes, you guessed it, "Aww, so cute."

You know what I appreciate? He's not wearing any clothes. Far too often critters are wearing just a shirt... as if that's a nod to decency? Or are wearing too many clothes, as if they're human. No, Elliot is comfortable in his spots, tyvm.

And I just love the wordless spread, in which the little girl gazes at Elliot in sympathy, but can't help him, as she's even more powerless than he is.

And if there's a plushie toy of Elliot, I want it.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A polka-dotted elephant new to the big city and feeling invisible makes friends with a white mouse. A charming, warm friendship story superbly illustrated.

[nataliecjones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a little elephant that lives in New York. Everything is bigger than him, and one day he goes in to buy a cupcake, but can't because they don't see him. He is sad. He meets a mouse that can't reach food in a garbage because he is also too small. Elliot gladly helps him out because he understands. Then the mouse goes back with him and helps him buy the cupcake. Elliot now has gained a cupcake and a friend. This is fantasy.

[thebumblegirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful and magnificently illustrated children's book about a little elephant who finds encouragement from an unexpected new friend.

Little Elliot is a tiny elephant trying to get by in the Big City. But because of his small size, he is easily lost in the crowd and ignored. It is difficult for him to accomplish daily chores and errands. And most importantly, he can never get the attention nor help he needs to buy a much wanted cupcake.
Until one day, he meets someone who is even smaller than he is - a little white mouse - who seems to be struggling with the same things that Little Elliot is.
Together they become friends, a team, and they help each other accomplish the things that they have always wanted to do. And in the end, they are finally rewarded with a cupcake.

When it comes to picture books, the actual illustrations have to tell me the story - but they not only need to tell me the story, they also need to make me feel what the characters are feeling and thinking before I read the words that are accompanying that page's storytelling. Mike Curato not only gives us the sweetest little elephant and mouse I have ever seen, but also delivers exactly how a little person would portray and feel being in a large city - making us feel even smaller, lonely and sad. But also, through Little Elliot and his mouse friend, gives us encouragement and hope that one day we can accomplish the big things that we want to do.

Little Elliot may be a tiny elephant, but he has the biggest heart I have ever seen, and felt. I highly recommend adding this to your child's shelf and reading it over and over again... one to be handed down to generations to come!

*I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.