The Sand Elephant

By Rinna Hermann, Sanne Dufft (Illustrator)

A lonely boy's sand creation comes to life, leading him to a magical world. But what happens when the weather changes?

5.5/7 Bookroo expert·3.8/5 Goodreads · 13 ratings

32 pages· 693 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

$17.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Paul feels alone until a sand elephant comes to life, whisking him to a magical realm filled with playful sand creatures. As they explore this enchanting world, Paul discovers the joy of imagination and friendship. But when the wind and rain threaten to wash it all away, will his newfound friends disappear? This heartwarming tale celebrates the enduring power of imagination, reminding us that even imaginary friends can make us feel less alone.

"Shell dust, coral dust, star dust, SAND! Sandform, sandstorm, Sandcastle Land!"

— from the book

From the publisher

Paul has no one to play with. The sandbox is empty. Or is it?

As he digs and pats the sand, a shape appears: an elephant. Curling up under the elephant’s warm, sandy trunk, Paul drifts off to sleep. But then something amazing happens. The sand elephant stands up, and lifts Paul onto its back!

The sand elephant takes Paul to a wonderful land where incredible sand animals and their children are laughing and playing together. But what will happen when the wind starts to blow and the rain starts to fall?

In this delightful celebration of the power of childhood imagination, Rinna Herman’s story combines with pictures full of vibrancy and charm by acclaimed illustrator Sanne Dufft. This gentle story reassures children that friends from our imagination stay with us forever, so we need never feel alone.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Words: 693
Reading age: 3–6
Audience: Picture

Themes & topics

Books about imagination and play Books about feelings and emotions Books about social themes Books about elephants

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.5

out of 7

“Wishes and belief make playtime magical. Originally published in Germany, this book’s soft-edged art and straightforward layout create a traditional presentation. The text’s comforting message of resurrection is pleasant, if obviously not universal. Speckled watercolors make for a convincingly grainy texture in the predominant sand.(...) A classic-feeling book with some rough edges.”

Kirkus

Critic

“An uplifting story about resiliency and creativity.”

School Library Journal

Critic

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