The Elephant and the Sea by Ed Vere is a simple, but beautiful, story about overcoming barriers and making room for those who are different. We start the story with Gabriel the Elephant who is now old and wrinkled, reminiscing about his time when he was a young elephant by the sea. He would run down to the beach and watch the lifeboat crew practice their rescues. Gabriel wanted to join in, but, “You’re a bit young, my boy. Come back when you’re older. Come back when you’re stronger.”

After dedicating himself to practicing, he comes back to the lifeboat crew where he discovers that he’s grown too large for their lifeboat. Gabriel knows that there’s only one thing he wants to do, so he collects driftwood and makes a plan to make his own boat. When the fishing boats and the lifeboat crew are caught in one of the biggest storms, there is a strong Elephant who comes to rescue them all. It’s Gabriel! And now Gabriel sits by the sea, an old elephant. “Not everyone knows how brave he’s been, but we do.”

With beautiful illustrations, and simple, but poetic, prose, Gabriel’s story is a lovely lesson on grit and gumption and going for what you desire in life. The author’s note at the back describes a memory on the shore of Cornwall where Vere lived for a bit that inspired the setting, Gabriel’s character, and his story on the wild waves. A five star bedtime story for ages 3-6.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath