"Every day brought a new surprise.
When the flowers needed watering,
Mrs. Perkins asked Imogene to help.
"No hose," she said. "Use
your nose!"
With her elephant's trunk, Imogene does just that! She sprinkles the lilies, the lavender, and other things as well. You may have met Imogene 35 years ago when David Small penned his first story about her. In that book, the morning wake-up revealed she had grown a large rack of antlers overnight. Daily life changed in a heartbeat.
This new story offers a comeback. Young readers will be happy she heeds the call, and would be even happier were they now to have a chance to see that first book written so long ago. I love that the cover of this book echoes the ending of Imogene's Antlers. On to another adventure for this full-of-fun girl!
Her life may not be like others, but she manages to roll with the punches and face each new day with
confidence. How about sprouting a giraffe's long neck, an elephant's trunk, or a butterfly's wings? Her family is flabbergasted, even angry with all the changes. They never know what to expect. Nor does Imogene. She is unperturbed, even amused by each change. There is much she can do with what she's been given. Eventually, the changes stop. Or do they?
Young children are remarkably perceptive when looking at picture books. David Small knows that; he fills his artwork with fabulous details that encourage close inspection at every turn. Attentive listeners will take note of the many small clues Mr. Small leaves for them.
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