Were you aware that the elephant is revered in the spirituality of many cultures? But if you’re a 5 year old sharing this picture book, you get the idea that this cute elephant can fly and knows stuff.
Anna Pignataro’s artwork portrays a universal family. And her elephant is reassuring, whimsical and friendly with the power to fly. But if you look closer at the intricate artwork, you’ll see the elephant’s tears as it flies across war zones. Check the endpapers which offer colour and hope. And examine the wordless double page spread.
‘Elephants Have Wings’ reads well aloud which is a vital consideration for a book to be shared in a classroom, library or child’s bedroom.

Children may have heard the riddle of the blind man ‘feeling’ the elephant. This well constructed picture book goes from the known to the unknown. From a family sharing grandfather’s elephant story to an opportunity to examine the detailed artwork linking main world cultures. Titles are the first clue to a picture book. And it’s significant that ‘Elephants Have Wings’ is a statement, rather than a question. This multi-layered story accepts that many cultures use symbols to explain the inexplicable: the BIG questions about getting along with others and why some do not. ‘Elephants Have Wings’ is inspired by the author’s journeys to India and Asia and the story of the blind men and the elephant with its traditions in Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and Sufi Islam.

Even if you’ve never heard of the poet William Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence and Experience’ or his memorable Tyger Tyger burning bright,’ the power of a symbol in a story is that it works underneath, suggesting all the associated ideas and emotions. It stands for itself AND those ideas.

A well constructed picture book operates simultaneously at several levels. And can be re-read as the child or adult is ready for the other levels. First is the straight plot of the ‘what happens next?’ family story where the children fly around the world and through history on a cute elephant. At the second or allegorical level, the elephant stands for the ways cultures have used the elephant or spiritual ideas to explain complex questions. So each reader can start from their own culture and add. At the universal level, seeing from the viewpoint of the elephant symbolises understanding or tolerance via travel, education or ideas.

I thought that Ganesh or the elephant, symbolised female creativity for writers but it has much broader relevance. Ganesh, venerated Hindu Elephant God, is Lord of Obstacles and Beginnings. In Hindu scripture, the Divine Elephant conjures up the clouds of winged elephants bringing monsoon rains.
The elephant represents courage, hope, endurance and wisdom. Buddha was re-incarnated into a white elephant and at his birth, a white elephant appeared in the sky. Garuda the mythological bird created from the cosmic egg hatched the eight elephants supporting the universe.

Ford Street is to be commended for publishing this picture book, as there are few which explore the theme of spirituality, in an accessible way for children without tying to the dogma of a particular religion. As indicated in the earlier ‘Gracie and Josh’ picture book, author Gervay handles significant subjects in an approachable way for young readers and their families.

The Blake Prize is adopting ‘Elephants Have Wings’ to start discussion and encourage young readers to engage in spirituality by linking art and religion.
The Prize is named after the legendary British artist and poet William Blake (1757-1827) They hope that the establishment of a prize will encourage artists of disparate styles and religious allegiances to create significant works of art with religious content.

I tip ‘Elephants Have Wings’ is likely to become a classic. Highly recommended