The Littlest Elephant: A One and Only Ruby Story by Katherine Applegate, Lita Judge
ISBN: 006351544X
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

The Littlest Elephant is a picture book companion to the award winning One and Only series by Katherine Applegate. In this book we are introduced to Ruby, the littlest elephant in the herd. She is about to celebrate her tusk day: a day when elephants celebrate young elephants who get their tusks. Ruby is not sure if she likes her tusks. She is scared of what it means to be a grown up elephant. The older elephants in the herd help Ruby work through her fears and remember all the gifts she has been given as well as the hard times she has been through. 

The illustrations and text of this book are a wonderful introduction to the world created by Kristina Applegate in her One and Only series. We see some brief cameos by Bob and Ivan, but this book can be fully read and understood without reading any other books in the series. The illustrations are approachable and the text is child friendly. This would be a great book for any child who loves elephants or who needs a reminder of all the beautiful gifts life has to offer.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School