- Ages 2-9
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Disney-Hyperion -- June '09
- ISBN-10: 142311390X
- ISBN-13: 978-1423113904
Extra, Extra!
Three Trained Pachyderms for Sale!
When Dorothy and her brother Henry learn that three beloved local circus elephants will soon be retiring, they are shocked and dismayed-but also inspired! The owner has agreed to sell the elephants to the children of Boston if they can raise the $6,000. They have two months. They'll have to contribute every penny they have, but they're determined to do it.
Soon, more and more children are joining in, donating everything they have to the cause. Fourteen cents from Roger from washing windows. Five cents from Jimmy from the tooth fairy. Even the local cinema makes a contribution after the children decide to stop spending their money on movies. Lita Judge has written and illustrated an inspiring and heartwarming picture book, based on a true story of compassion and believing.
Activities: Downloadable activies and discussions that are perfect for classrooms and preparing students for an author/illustrator school visit.
Timeline: What else was happening in the world around the time of the story?
Fenway Park: Early photographs of Fenway Park, where the Boston Red Sox still play. Includes pictures of some of the players in the 1912 World Series.
Newsies: This includes old photographs of Newsboys and Newsgirls in the early 1900s and a fun activity.
Research: Take a look at some of the real 1914 Boston Post newspaper pictures and headlines that inspired the story.
"As she did in One Thousand Tracings, Judge weaves a compelling tale based on a true, heartwarming incident...Warm sepia tones lend atmosphere, too, and splashes of bright red, blue, purple and yellow in the children’s outfits echo their sunny, can-do demeanor."
-Publishers Weekly, 6/22/09
"Both the text and illustrations have much to recommend it, but in the end, this is ultimately a heartwarming book that will make you pull for the kids right up to the cheer-inducing end. Recommended with enthusiasm."
- The Miss Rumphius Effect, reviewed 6/2/09
"Judge's illustrations catch the innocence of childhood as well as the bustle of Boston...Hurrah! Hurrah for elephants and children and Boston and history...worthy of wide readership because [it's] so well crafted and moving."
-Concord Monitor
"Judge’s beautiful illustrations add to the old fashioned feel of the book and will captivate readers. From the streets of Boston to Fenway Park this inspiring true story will delight readers of all ages."
-Newtonville Books
"With images of newspaper clippings that add to the realism, award winning Lita Judge has produced another outstanding piece of historical fiction for children. Pennies for Elephants provides children with a powerful lesson in economics that collective efforts in raising small amounts of money can lead to elephant-sized results."
-Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
"Artistically rendered newspaper articles reenforce the history and reality of the day...The concept is inspirational, and is captured well in words and art in this magnificent book. Not to be missed."
-PBS Parents Booklights, 07/23/09
"...it spills over with joy. Lita’s story of children of all backgrounds banding together for a common community cause—painted on a bright palette that makes no apologies for color (Who needs coffee? Her sunny paintings will wake you right up.)—is engaging and brings to vivid life a bygone era. And it does so with a sweet nostalgia...Lita strikes just the right balance of warm-hearted and tender with spirited and compelling."
-Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast , 07/26/09
"The lush illustrations take you right back to this time period, and newspaper clippings sprinkled throughout detail the progress the kids are making and build a sense of urgency as the deadline grows near. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, where kids will be likely to clap and cheer...Lita Judge is an extremely talented artist and storyteller, and Pennies for Elephants is a true gift to children's literature."
-The Well Read Child , 08/01/09
"...a delightfully illustrated re-creation of the fund-raising...so suffused with fun, and the artwork so varied and appealing, that readers will enjoy the fiction as much as the facts."
-Booklist, 09/01/09