Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Giggly series installment taps into common kid frustration.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Piggie has a surprise for Elephant. But ... he'll have to wait. Elephant tries to be patient, but his laments get louder and louder ("GROAN!") until he can't take it anymore, especially when it starts to get dark outside and he worries that he won't even be able to see Piggie's surprise. Piggie finally tells him to look up in the dark sky. That's when Elephant, sharing a moment of awe and wonder with his best friend, realizes all the waiting was well worth it.
Is It Any Good?
The title alone automatically connects with kids: WAITING IS NOT EASY! -- especially in Elephant's case, where you have no idea what you're even waiting for. Elephant gets to moan and complain in all capital letters, and kids will adore the chance to shout out "GROAN!" Mostly because that's not the behavior most parents allow while waiting at the post office or in line at the grocery store. Let out those loud Elephant groans as you rush through the pages, new readers, and enjoy the awesome surprise at the end -- while your adult listeners gently remind you that Piggie is right: There are plenty of things worth waiting for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about waiting. Is it ever easy? What can you do to make it easier?
Did you like the surprise at the end? Did you notice the pages of the book getting darker before Elephant did?
What's your favorite Elephant & Piggie book? Why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Mo Willems
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : November 4, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 64
- Available on : Hardback
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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