The Magician’s Elephant

 Book by Kate DiCamillo.

This is a charming fantasy involving a host of characters who begin broken but end up whole. There are themes of forgiveness, hope vs. despair, being seen, belonging, the importance of real intent, honesty, and love. Could be enjoyed by the whole family.

A few quotes:

“It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak words that matter.”

“Looking out over the city, Peter decided that it was a terrible and complicated thing to hope, and that it might be easier, instead, to despair.”

“Deep within herself, the elephant said this name, her name, over and over again. She was working to remind herself of who she was. She was working to remember that, somewhere, in another place entirely, she was known and loved.”

“What are we to make of a world where stars shine bright in the midst of so much darkness and gloom?”

“He said it with the profound hope that it would well and truly work, and with the knowledge, too, that there was only so much, after all, that could be undone, even by magicians.”

“When he was gone, Madam LaVaughn felt some great weight suddenly flap its wings and break free of her. She laughed aloud.”

“Each person has a hold of the other, each one is connected to the one before him, and each of them is looking forward, their heads held at such an angle that it seems as if they are looking into a bright light.”