Mighty Muddy Us
SIBLING STORY: Enid and Ely are best friends. But in this story, relatable for any overprotective sibling—or any younger child who’s felt too coddled—Enid learns that even when someone needs space to grow, that doesn’t mean they don’t need love.
DISABILITY REPRESENTATION: Depicts the specific situation of a birth injury in an honest, sensitive way, centering Ely’s capability and strength without shying away from his struggles.
EMOTIONAL LAYERS: A story of unconditional family love and support that simultaneously highlights the importance of independence.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES: Underlines the detrimental effects of increasingly hot temperatures and limited water resources for elephants.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: Inspired by the widely covered story of a multigenerational family of elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
STUNNING ARTWORK: Expressive illustrations from award-winning and bestselling artist Charles Santoso add extra emotional depth.
From author Caron Levis and New York Times bestselling illustrator Charles Santoso—the award-winning team behind Feathers Together; Ida, Always; and This Way, Charlie—comes Mighty Muddy Us, a moving, full-color picture book story of sibling love, inspired by a real-life elephant family.
The moment he is born, Ely delights in the welcoming trumpets of his adoring big sister, Enid. She is so excited to play—but Ely’s legs are injured and it’s hard for him to move. To help keep Ely safe, Enid sticks close to her determined brother as they grow together through the seasons, trunk-twirling, mud-wallowing, and making silly sounds!
But as Ely grows more confident, he’s ready for more adventures, and he feels squished by Enid’s worries and rules. Enid is glad that he can run and play, but she’s nervous he could get hurt—or that he won’t need his big sister anymore. When a drought threatens the whole family, Ely shows what he is capable of, and both he and Enid discover that whether they are helping or playing, dusty or muddy, siblings are mighty special.
SIBLING STORY: Enid and Ely are best friends. But in this story, relatable for any overprotective sibling—or any younger child who’s felt too coddled—Enid learns that even when someone needs space to grow, that doesn’t mean they don’t need love.
DISABILITY REPRESENTATION: Depicts the specific situation of a birth injury in an honest, sensitive way, centering Ely’s capability and strength without shying away from his struggles.
EMOTIONAL LAYERS: A story of unconditional family love and support that simultaneously highlights the importance of independence.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES: Underlines the detrimental effects of increasingly hot temperatures and limited water resources for elephants.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: Inspired by the widely covered story of a multigenerational family of elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
STUNNING ARTWORK: Expressive illustrations from award-winning and bestselling artist Charles Santoso add extra emotional depth.
From author Caron Levis and New York Times bestselling illustrator Charles Santoso—the award-winning team behind Feathers Together; Ida, Always; and This Way, Charlie—comes Mighty Muddy Us, a moving, full-color picture book story of sibling love, inspired by a real-life elephant family.
The moment he is born, Ely delights in the welcoming trumpets of his adoring big sister, Enid. She is so excited to play—but Ely’s legs are injured and it’s hard for him to move. To help keep Ely safe, Enid sticks close to her determined brother as they grow together through the seasons, trunk-twirling, mud-wallowing, and making silly sounds!
But as Ely grows more confident, he’s ready for more adventures, and he feels squished by Enid’s worries and rules. Enid is glad that he can run and play, but she’s nervous he could get hurt—or that he won’t need his big sister anymore. When a drought threatens the whole family, Ely shows what he is capable of, and both he and Enid discover that whether they are helping or playing, dusty or muddy, siblings are mighty special.
SIBLING STORY: Enid and Ely are best friends. But in this story, relatable for any overprotective sibling—or any younger child who’s felt too coddled—Enid learns that even when someone needs space to grow, that doesn’t mean they don’t need love.
DISABILITY REPRESENTATION: Depicts the specific situation of a birth injury in an honest, sensitive way, centering Ely’s capability and strength without shying away from his struggles.
EMOTIONAL LAYERS: A story of unconditional family love and support that simultaneously highlights the importance of independence.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEMES: Underlines the detrimental effects of increasingly hot temperatures and limited water resources for elephants.
BASED ON A TRUE STORY: Inspired by the widely covered story of a multigenerational family of elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
STUNNING ARTWORK: Expressive illustrations from award-winning and bestselling artist Charles Santoso add extra emotional depth.
From author Caron Levis and New York Times bestselling illustrator Charles Santoso—the award-winning team behind Feathers Together; Ida, Always; and This Way, Charlie—comes Mighty Muddy Us, a moving, full-color picture book story of sibling love, inspired by a real-life elephant family.
The moment he is born, Ely delights in the welcoming trumpets of his adoring big sister, Enid. She is so excited to play—but Ely’s legs are injured and it’s hard for him to move. To help keep Ely safe, Enid sticks close to her determined brother as they grow together through the seasons, trunk-twirling, mud-wallowing, and making silly sounds!
But as Ely grows more confident, he’s ready for more adventures, and he feels squished by Enid’s worries and rules. Enid is glad that he can run and play, but she’s nervous he could get hurt—or that he won’t need his big sister anymore. When a drought threatens the whole family, Ely shows what he is capable of, and both he and Enid discover that whether they are helping or playing, dusty or muddy, siblings are mighty special.
Caron Levis, Charles Santoso (Illustrated by)
9781419763731
Hardcover with dust jacket
Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings
Ages 4 to 8