Reviews for Ella sets sail
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Ella is a lucky little elephant, which she attributes to her big, red hat. When one of her friends borrows the hat, it blows away. Attempts to retrieve it lead to a dangerous adventure at sea, and suddenly, Ella doesn't feel so lucky. With the help of new friends, things come to a happy conclusion. As in previous Ella books, the charm comes from both the spunky heroine and the glorious Mediterranean background that is her playground. Although it's unlikely little ones will slip off in a boat alone, warnings against such shenganigans are rendered.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2008 Booklist
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Ella, the ever-affable pachyderm, takes to the high seas in her newest adventure. When the carnival comes to town, Ella and her friends are eager to sample all the wonders it has to offer. Having a generous disposition, Ella willingly gives her friend a coin to spend and, somewhat reluctantly, lends the same friend her lucky red hat. However, good fortune seems to have departed as a series of misfortunes befall Ella and her beloved chapeau. While attempting a daring rescue, Ella bemoans what must surely be her unluckiest day ever. When a kind family offers Ella shelter from the storm, however, she quickly reconsiders the meaning of luck. The D'Amicos successfully convey their message without becoming preachy. Detailed illustrations blooming with rich Mediterranean hues aptly reflect Ella's winsome nature, though Babar would doubtless wonder what happened to her trunk, which is so…truncated, she doesn't look much like an elephant at all. Stubby trunks of the residents aside, young readers will relish revisiting the bucolic setting of Little Village and its environs. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright ŠKirkus Reviews, used with permission.
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
PreS-Gr 2-At the annual Elephant Islands Carnival, Ella reluctantly lends her treasured red hat to her friend Belinda, who loses it on the Ferris wheel. As the hat floats into the sea, Ella borrows Mr. Pelican's rowboat and sets off despite the rainy weather. Caught in a storm, she is washed ashore on an unfamiliar island. Luckily, Ella is welcomed by a friendly family who invite her in for lunch. Their fisherman father coincidentally has found Ella's lucky hat. When the storm passes, Ella safely returns home. After enduring a gentle scolding from Mr. Pelican and her mother, she promises never to take a boat out in stormy weather again. The next day, she sets off in Mr. Pelican's boat to bring a freshly baked pineapple pie to the family who came to her aid. Whimsical, fanciful, and refreshingly old-fashioned art is the hallmark of this series. While this adorable and independent little elephant's latest adventure is a bit far-fetched, fans of Ella the Elegant Elephant (2004), Ella Takes the Cake (2005), and Ella Sets the Stage (2006, all Scholastic) will enjoy setting sail with her.-Rachel Kamin, Des Plaines Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Ella the elephant has a day of adventure--she loses her hat, sails across the bay to catch it, gets caught in a storm, and lands safely on another island where she makes new friends. Though the text is choppy, this fourth book about the cheerful elephant has the same comfortably old-fashioned, vaguely Mediterranean look and feel as the others. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
