Whack-a-doodle but fun. ( )

Cover: How many stamps does it take to mail an elephant?

Jen: The artwork reminded me of Roald Dahl, and was filled with character! I really enjoyed the facial expressions, human and animal. Sadie spends the story attempting to deliver an elephant to her Great-aunt Josephine. When she learns normal snail-mail won't do the trick, she asks a pilot, an alligator, some monkey bandits, and an ice-cream truck driver for assistance! Philip Stead just makes me happy! ( )

Cover: How many stamps does it take to mail an elephant?

Jen: The artwork reminded me of Roald Dahl, and was filled with character! I really enjoyed the facial expressions, human and animal. Sadie spends the story attempting to deliver an elephant to her Great-aunt Josephine. When she learns normal snail-mail won't do the trick, she asks a pilot, an alligator, some monkey bandits, and an ice-cream truck driver for assistance! Philip Stead just makes me happy! ( )

Unique drawings made this book for me. ( )

This review originally found at The Children's Book and Media Review

As everyone should know, you can’t just drop an elephant in the mailbox—you have to go to the post office. Sadie is determined to mail an elephant to her Great-Aunt Josephine who Sadie feels is lonely and “could really use the company”. It takes a lot of stamps to send something so fragile in the mail so Sadie decides to find another way. It takes borrowing an airplane, being guided by an alligator, riding a train, and spending some time with bandits, but Sadie is able to achieve her goal in the end.

Special Delivery is silly and sweet. Sadie’s determination to get an elephant to her aunt shows persistence and her love for her potentially lonely family member. Adults can talk to children about looking out for others and keeping promises that they have made. The illustrations by Cordell have a feeling similar to Quinten Blake’s, but still has plenty of individual personality. The illustrations add detail to the story and occasionally provide all of the action without using narrative. Readers young and old can giggle together about Sadie’s adventures. ( )