Mom Loves Little Jumbo: Hello, I Am Jumbo

In a gentle, understated board book, a mother elephant cares for her little elephant, Jumbo. Through visual contrasts, Muraki emphasizes the size differential between the elephants, as well as their respective roles. Mom changes colors, from a playful purple as she and Jumbo spray water from their trunks, to a forest green over a meal of grass, and a jasper red as she defends against three approaching lions: “Mom keeps me safe from danger. She is very brave.” The two elephants and the background pages have a solid, granitelike texture, evoking a sense of comfort and security. Ages 3–5. [em](May) [/em]