OLLIE THE PURPLE ELEPHANT
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Sure, Krosoczka (Lunch Lady Comics, Punk Farm) could have written it as: “Ollie agreed with these”. But he didn’t. Well, Ollie did but the author didn’t. Oh never mind. Instead we read early on in Krosoczka’s new picture book: “Ollie was agreeable to these”. Big deal, you say? Indeed, I retort.
If you read a lot of books to your young kids (and you should be) you’ve likely encountered enough flat, lifeless sentences and “he said”s to last you a lifetime. Or two. It doesn’t have to be so banal, people. Kids are bright and will appreciate a “She remarked” or a “He gasped” sprinkled in here and there. Jarret J. Krosoczka is hip to this and injects his lively new tale of finding one’s place in the world with a cerebral text that sounds wonderful when read aloud.
The story of Ollie the Purple Elephant involves some devious lying, thievery, a forged signature, and more SAT words than any kid’s book not written by Norton Juster. Fear not, gentle soul: it’s tame, I swear, but a bit of Krosoczka’s punchy, unflinching Lunch Lady style has seeped in which, of course, is awesome.
Ollie the Purple Elephant will be released next week in a variety of formats – hardback, Kindle, Nook and all that jazz – but can be pre-ordered below.
*OWTK received a copy of “Ollie The Purple Elephant” for review consideration. The opinions expressed above and honest and unbiased.
