The Elephant, by Peter Carnavas. Pajama Press, 2020. $19.95 ages 8 and up

"Later that day, Olive and Arthur were upside down on the monkey bars again. Olive let her hands hang loose so they nearly touched the ground. She closed her eyes. Her thoughts somersaulted in her head, bumping and rolling into each other: the elephant, the tortoise, and the photo in Arthur’s big book.

Like soft pieces of clay, these thoughts rolled around, then merged together to form an idea, big and bold and exciting."

Peter Carnavas is a brilliant writer. There, I've said it again. In this novel he recounts the story of a family gripped by grief in the loss of a loved one. While it could be somber and heartbreaking, he manages to focus on hope, love and joyful moments.

Olive is the central character, and we read the story it tells from her perspective. Olive is a pretty lucky girl: her best friend Arthur is her sounding board for everything she says and feels; her grandfather bakes for her, takes her on long walks around town, and makes the garden a serene and peaceful spot for contemplation and company; and her father plays an important role in her life. She loves him. But, his depression often prevents him from keeping promises made and spending time together. To Olive, that depression takes the form of an elephant only she can see.

Luckily, Olive is a plucky and confident young lady whose relationships with Arthur and her Grandad hold her up and give her strength. When a school project has Olive looking for something old to take to school, she has many ideas, including her mother's old, broken bicycle. Maybe Dad will fix it if she needs it for school. She is pretty sure it won't happen, so she tells Arthur about the elephant.

"And I imagine the sadness like a big, gray
elephant following him around. That's what I see."
"Like an imaginary friend?"
"An imaginary enemy," she said.
Arthur took another bite from his apple. "And is
it there every day?"
"All the time," she said, and then she couldn't stop."

Olive explains that her dad can't do much at all when the elephant is there. Arthur, ever the optimist, suggests all they need to do is get rid of the elephant. Simple, right? Not so much, but it sets Olive on a course to give it a try. What happens and how it happens leads to what turns out to be a reasonable ending for the children who will read this book.

Honestly, I could go on! This is one of my favorite reads this year, and I think it should be in all homes, libraries, and classrooms. It is a remarkable book, true to a child's understanding of what is real. Compassionate, hopeful and so beautifully written, you will fall in love with each of these perfect characters. Please, please read it.