Book Review on Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems

Please note that this blog has been created as an assignment for a TWU course.

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2009. ELEPHANTS CANNOT DANCE. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781423114109

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, Mo Willems writes about feeling labeled and limited to only doing things that are expected of people with that particular label.  He describes the feeling of wanting to participate in an activity that is not meant for people like him.  With the support of a friend, he finds confidence within himself to attempt to participate in the activity he supposedly cannot do.  He soon finds that even though he dances differently from his friend, his moves are unique to him and people want to learn his moves.   

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Willem’s writing is simple and direct.  “I would love to learn how to dance.  But elephants cannot dance.  No.  Look it up.  Page 11.”  His friend looks it up in the book and replies, “Gerald, it does not say that you cannot try!”  This story helps children understand the complexities of societal labels, limitations, confidence, perseverance, and individuality in a simple way because it contains characters and a plot that children can relate to. 

The text is written in a large font and is contained within text bubbles.  The text bubbles for Piggie are pink and the text bubbles for Gerald are gray.  This allows the reader to easily decipher which character is talking at any given point.  There are many sight words used in repetitive phrases such as, “I can try to dance.  I will try to dance.  We will try again.”  This may help with fluency.

Mo Willem’s illustrations fit well with the text.  Even though few words were used to describe what was occurring in each scene, the pictures completely conveyed the actions and emotions of the characters.  Soft colors of pink and gray were used on the characters and the background was plain white.  This simplicity enabled more focus to be on the actions of the characters.  Curved lines on the outside of the characters and objects show movement and emotion. 

This will be an excellent book to share because it helps readers understand that we do not have to conform to societal labels. It is perfectly fine to be a unique individual.  Besides, someone might like what we do and want to learn how to do it themselves.  We are only limited by ourselves.  We can achieve anything we put our minds to.  However, it will take self-confidence, determination, and perseverance.  

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in THE BULLETIN: “These books will easily take their place alongside Seuss and Eastman as classics in the beginning-reader genre.”

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “These masterful mini-dramas will delight and amuse easy-reader and picture-book audiences, alike.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Willems's characteristically sparse cartoon images and the use of speech balloons portray the comical dilemma with clarity, making it an ideal pick for early readers.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*During a class discussion about bullying, this is a book that encourages self-confidence, perseverance, and individuality.  You could ask open-ended questions during this discussion.  Do you think that elephants shouldn’t dance just because a book said they can’t?  Why or why not?  Do you think elephants should try to dance even if it is difficult and different from another person’s type of dance?  Why or why not?  How do you think Gerald felt when he thought he couldn’t dance because he was an elephant?  How do you think Piggie felt when Gerald was sad?

*Gather other books written and illustrated by Mo Willems:

Willems, Mo. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! ISBN 1423114108

Willems, Mo. LEONARDO, THE TERRIBLE MONSTER. ISBN 0786852941