Picture Book Review: The Saggy Baggy Elephant by Kathryn and Byron Jackson
The Saggy Baggy Elephant
Author: Kathryn Jackson and Byron Jackson
Illustrator: Gustaf Tenggren
Publisher: Golden Books
Year Published: 1947
Availability: Click for an available copy from Amazon
SPOILER ALERT AS ALWAYS
I don’t beleive picture book author Kathryn Jackson set out to write a classic tale of acceptance and positive self-image but it is exactly what the Saggy Baggy Elephant is to its readers. This is an amazing book that teaches (yes,that dreaded word when describing a picture book) kids about self-image and does so at an appropriate age.
Sometimes kids can be mean, say whatever they want, sometimes hurting others without even knowing they are doing so. Well, the Saggy Baggy Elephant named Sooki with his big ears and wrinkled skin found such a kid, a parrot to be exact. After hearing how not so attractive he looks, Sooki decides to hide in a cave so he can’t be seen (sounds like my teen son when his hair doesn’t turn out just right). But eventually, Sooki lives happily ever after. He finds creatures who look just like him. He isn’t an oddball after all. He learns to accept his looks and is finally happy to be himself. I can imagine all the trauma that wouldn’t exisit in the lives of teens if this message of self-worth was seared into their hearts and minds, especially when they were young enoguh to enjoy this book.
Read The Saggy Baggy Elephant to your children or grandchildren, we’d love to know your thoughts on this classic Golden Book which has been treasured for almost 70 years.
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