THE SAND ELEPHANT

Wishes and belief make playtime magical.

A white-presenting boy named Paul plays alone in a large sandbox. He draws an almost–life-size elephant and wishes his creation were a real playmate. The two-dimensional animal (thus far cleverly shown from above) comes to life. It recites a rhyme, thereby transporting them to Sandcastle Land, where other mostly white-presenting children merrily play with their (presumed) sand creations. When Paul slips from the tallest sandcastle tower, he knocks part of it over (oddly, the pictures miss the opportunity to depict this). The sand elephant reassures Paul, saying “sand doesn’t mind about tumbles and collapses.” Indeed, after a windy rainstorm, the sand animals and castle dissolve away, coming back to life after the other children recite the rhyme. Apparently “all [that] sand animals need…are children who come and play in the sand again.” 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. However, it sometimes visually reads dark and, frankly, dirty. Interspersed white backgrounds and bright clothing on the children break up the monotone washes.

A classic-feeling book with some rough edges.