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But No Elephants
Grandma Tildy finally agrees to take an unwanted elephant into her home, but soon regrets her decision.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 20, 2022
So. I am having a grandson in the fall and we’re having a baby shower in August and each person is to bring their favourite children’s book as a gift. I thought very long and hard about this. It came to me in a dream about being a small child on my grandfather’s farm. He had a cupboard in the living room and there were all sorts of books in there. I’m not sure where they came from. Amelia Bedelia, The Little Red Hen, Chicken Little, anything Richard Scarry, Peter Rabbit, Dr. Seuss, Beatrice Potter. I think most people would be proud to show up with those books. I certainly would as they’re precious. The one book that I couldn’t get enough of; tgat I fell asleep with; with it’s brown cover and pages that smelled musty was “But No Elephants”. I am going to bring my grandson that book and read it to him like my grandfather read it to me. I had forgotten about this amazing book until I had to think about what book brought me joy as a child. If you haven’t read this, or read it to your child, please do. 💕💕💕
December 12, 2016
I'm glad I kept this on my list until I found a new library to join. It's one of those magically nostalgic classics, a 'sleeper' or 'cult' favorite, if you will. Kids, including child me, get a true kick, and feel the wonder of being able to empathize with the old lady, the pet salesman, and the critters too. There are also some neat details in the pictures; for example I love the smaller critters in bed, and the overalls the grandma changes into to cut wood. If you actually have kids or grandkids, you might actually want to buy this. If you don't, get it from your library, and if they don't have it, ask them to buy it. (Refer them to GR reviews to persuade them!) Btw, it's also Vegan-friendly. I will consider more by the author.
August 8, 2008
I know this isn't a new book, but it is still hands-down my three-year-old's favorite bedtime story. He will listen to this book back to back night after night. In between the old woman who takes on every animal but an elephant, the pet salesman who tries to foist the elephant upon her, and the various ways the animals help her, there's lots of opportunities for funny voices and sound effects. Definitely a keeper.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.****
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.****
November 5, 2021
It is hard to imagine anyone reading this story and not smile. Or laugh. Maybe that is why 1,705 readers at this moment have rewarded But No Elephants with an average of 4.45.
Grandma Tildy was a good woman. She lived alone and worked hard on her property. When a man visited her selling pets, she purchased a bird. The passerine sang for his meals.
The guy showed again and she bought a beaver. The broad-tailed rodent helped cut wood to heat Tildy's house.
The man managed to find grandma twice more and convinced her to buy another animal each time. She always said yes, but NO ELEPHANTS! She now owned a turtle and a woodpecker.
Temperatures started to drop and it snowed. The man was no longer came around, but lo, and behold, an elephant was outside her door. The rest of the story was about what happened when the elephant was brought inside Grandma Tildy's house.
The narrative was a solid four stars. The illustrations were colorful and depicted a fair amount of funny moments. All in all, I think 4-8 year-olds will love this entertaining adventure.
Grandma Tildy was a good woman. She lived alone and worked hard on her property. When a man visited her selling pets, she purchased a bird. The passerine sang for his meals.
The guy showed again and she bought a beaver. The broad-tailed rodent helped cut wood to heat Tildy's house.
The man managed to find grandma twice more and convinced her to buy another animal each time. She always said yes, but NO ELEPHANTS! She now owned a turtle and a woodpecker.
Temperatures started to drop and it snowed. The man was no longer came around, but lo, and behold, an elephant was outside her door. The rest of the story was about what happened when the elephant was brought inside Grandma Tildy's house.
The narrative was a solid four stars. The illustrations were colorful and depicted a fair amount of funny moments. All in all, I think 4-8 year-olds will love this entertaining adventure.
November 27, 2016
Pleasant little kids book about an elderly lady who is an itinerant pet salesman's best customer, willing to buy all the animals he trots out for her, BUT NO ELEPHANTS. Not a spoiler to guess with what she eventually winds up. The kids have been requesting it multiple times, so good all around.
Me: 3/5
DS#1 (age 5) & DD (age 3): 4/5
Me: 3/5
DS#1 (age 5) & DD (age 3): 4/5
July 28, 2022
I got this little book in the post today and read it in about 10 minutes. It’s a childrens book that will be a delight to read to my little granddaughters and I can already hear them saying “but no elephants”. Lovely 💕💕
January 13, 2018
A forever favorite!
October 9, 2015
Cute little children's story about how everyone is special and helpful in their own way.
June 14, 2021
4 stars for nostalgia. I still don't understand why Grandma Tildy was so opposed to elephants, or why the elephant (unlike the rest of the pets) was oblivious to the needs of others ... but at least the elephant graciously solved the problem he helped create.
August 12, 2019
"Grandma Tildy lived all alone. She worked hard every day. She had no time to play."
Then the pet man comes and eventually filters off all his pets to her, including the elephant she adamantly refuses. The elephant breaks the house and eats all the food. What will Grandma Tildy and her pets do? The elephant finds a solution.
This was a childhood favorite of mine and now my son loves it as well. Not a word is out of place, and the illustrations are charming, with just the right amount of detail.
Then the pet man comes and eventually filters off all his pets to her, including the elephant she adamantly refuses. The elephant breaks the house and eats all the food. What will Grandma Tildy and her pets do? The elephant finds a solution.
This was a childhood favorite of mine and now my son loves it as well. Not a word is out of place, and the illustrations are charming, with just the right amount of detail.
January 17, 2022
Silly with nice illustrations
May 9, 2021
So cute & silly, and a winner for my animal loving little boy.
October 28, 2020
My mother brought this uninvited to my house in a pile of my weird old books, and I was forced to relive how sad I found this book as a kid. A little old lady adopts all the unwanted animals from a man one by one, leaving only the elephant who she just won't accept. He sits out in the snow, cold and unfed, until the other animals finally guilt her into letting him into the house. Just frickin traumatic. Hiding it from my toddler.
October 14, 2020
I had a young lady who told me this was a great book. She then said you should read it with me Miss Sherry. I will NEVER turn down a chance to read with a child and so I enjoyed this book with her.
This book is completely under rated and is absolutely delightful. I absolutely loved it! Thanks Trinity for reading with me.
This book is completely under rated and is absolutely delightful. I absolutely loved it! Thanks Trinity for reading with me.
May 1, 2020
Read on IG by Mac Barnett 4/30/20
August 20, 2024
Love this book! Grew up with it as a child and I bought it for my grandchildren and they love it as well.
February 13, 2023
It's sometimes hard to find great books that grab your kids attention -- it's even harder when your kid has dyslexia! I was so proud of her! She loved this book and had zero issues with it.
January 28, 2024
A childhood classic. 10/10.
March 19, 2020
My Grand Girls Favorite
March 9, 2021
| Review on Reader Fox Blog |
I have mixed feelings about Jerry Smith's But No Elephants. It's one of those books from my childhood that I recall my sister really enjoying and thus was read a lot to us when we were young. But it's an odd story and I think I recognized that, even then. Coming back to it now, after more than twenty years, I have to admit that I understand both Grandma Tildy's stance and feel for the elephant. In a way, the person in this whole story I dislike the most is the pet seller.
But No Elephants basically details the story of an old woman who gets pestered by a salesman who keeps coming by her door to sell her animal after animal. As a kind old woman who feels for all the animals, Grandma Tildy decides to take each one of them in. As she does, however, she reminds the man every time that she does not want any elephants.
So, the story progresses until all of the animals but the elephant have been sold and so the man comes back to Grandma Tildy and basically tries to coerce her into buying the elephant because the snow is coming and he must return to where he's from. For some reason he cannot keep the elephant, so he just abandons him outside of Grandma Tildy's house. The elephant, meanwhile, has gotten progressively sadder and sadder each time he's heard her say she doesn't want elephants.
He proceeds to sit outside her house as the snow comes, slowly beginning to bury him and he grows sadder. Eventually, feeling terrible, Grandma Tildy decides to bring the elephant inside where he proceeds to break through the floor due to his weight and eat all the food due to his hunger. Thus, the elephant causes all of Grandma Tildy's worries about having an elephant are realized.
Of course, the elephant later saves them all when he feels bad about what he's done and carries the house and inhabitants away to a warm and sunny place with lots of food, but I find myself wondering what is the point of any of this now. It's just an incredibly odd story.
What I hate most about it, though, is the fact that the pet seller regularly pestered this old woman into buying his animals and then just abandoned the one she didn't want in front of her house. It's kind of messed up? And I mean, sure, it's great that Grandma Tilly eventually learns to get over how she didn't want an elephant, but literally everything else about this book is just...not great.
| Reader Fox Links |
I have mixed feelings about Jerry Smith's But No Elephants. It's one of those books from my childhood that I recall my sister really enjoying and thus was read a lot to us when we were young. But it's an odd story and I think I recognized that, even then. Coming back to it now, after more than twenty years, I have to admit that I understand both Grandma Tildy's stance and feel for the elephant. In a way, the person in this whole story I dislike the most is the pet seller.
But No Elephants basically details the story of an old woman who gets pestered by a salesman who keeps coming by her door to sell her animal after animal. As a kind old woman who feels for all the animals, Grandma Tildy decides to take each one of them in. As she does, however, she reminds the man every time that she does not want any elephants.
So, the story progresses until all of the animals but the elephant have been sold and so the man comes back to Grandma Tildy and basically tries to coerce her into buying the elephant because the snow is coming and he must return to where he's from. For some reason he cannot keep the elephant, so he just abandons him outside of Grandma Tildy's house. The elephant, meanwhile, has gotten progressively sadder and sadder each time he's heard her say she doesn't want elephants.
He proceeds to sit outside her house as the snow comes, slowly beginning to bury him and he grows sadder. Eventually, feeling terrible, Grandma Tildy decides to bring the elephant inside where he proceeds to break through the floor due to his weight and eat all the food due to his hunger. Thus, the elephant causes all of Grandma Tildy's worries about having an elephant are realized.
Of course, the elephant later saves them all when he feels bad about what he's done and carries the house and inhabitants away to a warm and sunny place with lots of food, but I find myself wondering what is the point of any of this now. It's just an incredibly odd story.
What I hate most about it, though, is the fact that the pet seller regularly pestered this old woman into buying his animals and then just abandoned the one she didn't want in front of her house. It's kind of messed up? And I mean, sure, it's great that Grandma Tilly eventually learns to get over how she didn't want an elephant, but literally everything else about this book is just...not great.
| Reader Fox Links |
March 5, 2016
But No Elephants has been my favorite children's book from the day that I got it-about 18 years ago!
One day, a salesman came to her house selling pets and asked her if she would like to buy a canary bird. Grandma says her famous lines, "Very well. But no elephants!" The canary sang for Grandma Tildy and gave her company.
The next few days the pet man came again and again and Grandma continued to buy pets with her phrase "Very well. But no elephants!" But soon an elephant was all that was left and the salesman left it outside for Grandma, even though she didn't want it. The days were getting colder and colder and soon snow came and the elephant was finally allowed to come in.
A favorite of mine showing that there is a purpose for everyone and everything.
One day, a salesman came to her house selling pets and asked her if she would like to buy a canary bird. Grandma says her famous lines, "Very well. But no elephants!" The canary sang for Grandma Tildy and gave her company.
The next few days the pet man came again and again and Grandma continued to buy pets with her phrase "Very well. But no elephants!" But soon an elephant was all that was left and the salesman left it outside for Grandma, even though she didn't want it. The days were getting colder and colder and soon snow came and the elephant was finally allowed to come in.
A favorite of mine showing that there is a purpose for everyone and everything.
May 18, 2018
This is a humorous story about a little old lady who ends up with a variety of pets. All of the animals have a particular talent that helps the household, but the elephant is so big - what can he do? It's a fun tale and our girls really liked the ending.
But the question I pose is she an animal hoarder? She fits the profile: single, lonely older woman. I just finished the book Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things and I know it will change the way I look at things for a long time!
But the question I pose is she an animal hoarder? She fits the profile: single, lonely older woman. I just finished the book Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things and I know it will change the way I look at things for a long time!
February 15, 2010
I used to love this book as a child. This litle old lady buys just about every type of animal from a salesman. Every time she refuses to buy the elephant though. Eventually the salesman just leaves the elephant on her front door. It rains and snows and finally she lets him come in. He turns out to be a real help to her...and well its just a charming book :)
June 15, 2010
this was one of my favorite books when I was a kid!
January 13, 2011
This has been my favorite book scince I was really little I give it 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,00,000,000 stars out of 5 READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 31, 2015
read this book to my son when he was little. he liked the book
January 29, 2012
One of my favorites as a child.
January 20, 2013
One of my ALL time favorite childhood books.
February 26, 2019
But No Elephants is a story about Grandma Tildy who lived alone in a little house. One day, a man came to her house and he was selling pets. He offered her a canary bird and Grandma Tildy said yes but she did not want an elephant. Over the next few days, the man kept coming back and offering her animals, until there was only an elephant left. She refused the elephant, still, so it stayed outside during the winter in the snow. Grandma Tildy and the other animals felt bad for the cold elephant, so they let him in. Eventually, the floor broke that the elephant was on because of his large size. The elephant also ate all the foot because he was so hungry. Feeling bad because the animals and Grandma Tildy would starve with no food, the elephant stood up and walked the house to a sunny and warm place. It was here where Grandma Tildy welcomed all elephants into her home.
The overall theme of But No Elephants is to not judge a book by its cover and the importance of accepetance. Also, those who you think may harm you, could be better for you in the end.
When reading this book, I felt sad because I felt bad for the elephant that kept getting rejected. I felt bad that the elephant kept getting judged based on his appearance, not who he really was. However, in the end, I was happy because Grandma Tildy finally realized that the elephant actually helped her and made her better off in the end.
I would recommend this book because I think it can teach kids an important lesson about not judging people on how they look and perhaps, looking beyond their images to see who they really are. People who you may think will harm or do no good for you, may actually save your life in the end. This happened to Grandma Tildy as the elephant that she so much despised moved her house to somewhere warm in order for her and the other animals to not starve or freeze to death. Grandma Tildy from there on out accepted all animals, especially elephants.
The overall theme of But No Elephants is to not judge a book by its cover and the importance of accepetance. Also, those who you think may harm you, could be better for you in the end.
When reading this book, I felt sad because I felt bad for the elephant that kept getting rejected. I felt bad that the elephant kept getting judged based on his appearance, not who he really was. However, in the end, I was happy because Grandma Tildy finally realized that the elephant actually helped her and made her better off in the end.
I would recommend this book because I think it can teach kids an important lesson about not judging people on how they look and perhaps, looking beyond their images to see who they really are. People who you may think will harm or do no good for you, may actually save your life in the end. This happened to Grandma Tildy as the elephant that she so much despised moved her house to somewhere warm in order for her and the other animals to not starve or freeze to death. Grandma Tildy from there on out accepted all animals, especially elephants.
October 31, 2022
The plot of the story is that there is a grandma that lived all alone and worked all the time, until one day a man showed up selling pets. Grandma would happily take all of the pets, however she is strict on not having any elephants. The man comes back everyday and brings a new animal until he is out and the only one left is an elephant. Grandma felt bad about leaving the elephant out and welcomed him into her home where they eventually become friends. The main character is a grandma that is a happy, hard-working, independent lady. She loves all her animals but has a temper towards elephants and doesn't want one. Another character is the pet man that sells grandma all her companions and pets. The text and illustrations are symmetrical and say the same thing, one is visual with pictures and the other with words. The illustrations are non realistic, however they are very detailed and visually appealing. The text does not go over the illustrations, but are off to the side on either the top or bottom of the page. I like how the book is mostly filled with dialogue between the grandma and the pet man. I've never read a book that was primarily filled with dialogue rather than third person. This book could be used in a classroom when teaching the topic of narratives and story telling. In addition, it could also be used to teach young students about repetition.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews