Children’s Literature
Elephant’s Makeover
Author(s): Rukhsana Khan
Reviewed by: Elma Ruth Harder
Review
Reviewed by: Elma Ruth Harder – Muslim Education Foundation, Canada
Published by: Toronto: Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, 2022, 40pp. ISBN: 978-1989079249.
Elephant’s Makeover is an unfortunate picture book for children.
Elephant wants to be friends with the animals. After their snide comments about Elephant’s appearance, Elephant decides, “No wonder they don’t like me.” So Elephant bullies them into trading their winning features for the body changes which Elephant wants. Finally, with Owl’s large eyes, Wasp’s tiny waist, Mole’s starry nose, Mouse’s tiny ears, and Cat’s graceful legs, Elephant announces, “Ta Da! I’m beautiful!” When the other animals grumble, Elephant feels bad. Ant’s advice is to give it all back and say sorry. But Elephant resists, “then I won’t be pretty... I don’t have to... I’m scared... Maybe they still won’t like me.” But Ant insists. When all body parts have been returned, Elephant concludes, “See?