Jenifer Wayne (1917–1982)

A boy with a passion for elephants sets out to buy one, only to meet with disaster.

I found this children’s chapter book at an estate sale and was attracted by the cover, which shows one rather unhappy boy riding astride a toy elephant (bigger than he is), while another boy with a very satisfied smile on his face stands to the side. Well, given my own obsession with elephants (and books), I just had to have it.

What a delightful surprise! Sprout is so named because of his cowlick. He has a show more passion for elephants, a huge appetite, and a penchant for hiding, so his parents figure it may be time for him to go to pre-school and meet some other children. He takes his favorite blue elephant the first day, and is especially glad when he sees another boy with a rabbit that is missing an eye. But that other boy states he has actually ridden an elephant at the zoo, and then another child brings in a puppy. No one seems to care about Sprout’s wonderful elephants, so he sets out on his own to go to the zoo, and that’s when he discovers the big red carved elephant in a junk shop.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sprout’s adventures, and loved his irrepressible spirit and determination. If I can’t have my very own elephant, at least I can read about Sprout’s! show less

Sprout loved holidays at the seaside. It meant extra helpings at mealtimes and lots of ice cream on the beach. But there was one thing which was becoming even more important to him than food: his ambition to own a rubber dinghy.

Just such a boat is being offered in the Regatta Week competitions and Sprout is determined to win. And with only one day to go, he sets about it with a singleness of purpose completely in character. But it doesn't work out quite as he expects!

Over all this book is charming. The pen drawings really make the book. Rupert (aka Sprout) looks exactly like my son. I can't quite give this book a perfect 10 because Sprout's parents seem a little harsh. They don't delight in their son even though he seems like a delighful child.

Little Free Library find. The only good thing about it is that Sprout had to learn patience & perseverance to get his plant to grow. In my opinion. It is second of a series, so presumably the first was a little more interesting? Or maybe certain kids like it better?