The Elephant's Shoes
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
The Elephant's Shoes is a children's book about love, loss, and healing. We all make decisions in our life-some that make us happy, and some that we regret. Author Charity Yoder believes that everyone, even young children, can better learn how to cope with the sometimes-painful outcome of their choices. This is a beautiful story about the power of connection and how to move on with an open and compassionate heart.
Age
1-7
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the elephant felt when he couldn't find shoes that fit?
What are some ways the other animals helped the elephant in his search for shoes?
Why do you think shoes are important for the elephant?
Can you think of a time when you needed help from friends, just like the elephant did?
How would you have helped the elephant if you were there?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by relating to the elephant's feelings in different parts of the story.
Discuss the importance of friendship and teamwork, emphasizing how the other animals offered help to the elephant.
Ask your child to imagine themselves in the story and think about how they could assist the elephant, fostering empathy and problem-solving skills.
Highlight the theme of persistence by talking about how the elephant kept looking for shoes despite the challenges, and relate it to a situation in your child’s life where they had to keep trying.
Use expressive reading to make the story more engaging; change your voice for different characters and show excitement or sadness through tone to convey emotions effectively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: In 'The Elephant's Shoes,' the elephant struggles with shoes that don't fit, teaching children about understanding others' feelings and challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize when someone else is uncomfortable or in need and offer help or kind words just like the other animals helped the elephant.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite the discomfort, the elephant keeps trying different shoes, showing that persistence in the face of difficulties is crucial.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to keep trying in their own lives, whether they are facing challenges with schoolwork, sports, or friendships.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The animals work together to brainstorm ideas to help the elephant, demonstrating the value of collaborative thinking and creativity to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively and work with others to find solutions to everyday problems, from working out disagreements with siblings to tackling a tough homework assignment.
Example Lesson: Acceptance and self-acceptance
Explanation: Ultimately, the elephant learns that he doesn't need shoes to be happy or accepted by his friends, promoting self-acceptance and the acceptance of others' differences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be confident in who they are and to appreciate the uniqueness of others without judgment.
Example Lesson: Joy in simple things
Explanation: When the elephant realizes he is happier without the shoes, it highlights the joy that can come from embracing life's simplicity.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate what they have and find happiness in simple pleasures, rather than material possessions.