"A charming story with a unique point of view that will have children thoroughly connected to the human and non-human characters alike. A highly recommended tale of friendship."
Description
Small Walt meets The Last Stop on Market Street in this picture book about a warmhearted elevator that’s part matchmaker, part friend, and all sweetness.
Every day, Ellie the elevator works tirelessly to make the residents of her building happy. She loves everyone who lives in her building—even the dogs with muddy paws and the over-enthusiastic button-pushers. But Ellie has a soft spot for Thea, who bounces through Ellie’s doors with a cheerful grin every day. After Thea’s best friend moves away, Ellie rarely sees Thea smile anymore. Ellie wants to cheer Thea up…but what can an elevator do to help? Leave it to Ellie to make Thea’s world better.
Reviews
"Uplifting."
"Gehl’s comfortable and familiar narrative is an apt match for the vintage-feeling images that enliven our anthropomorphized protagonist. A stylish and lovely perspective on happenstance."
"Sweet Ellie is the star here, with her light blue arch resembling a face and row of numbers above her doors curving into a blushing smile. Imamura blends subtle colors with pastels and patterns to create an elegantly lived-in apartment building, and she uses her gouache, watercolors, markers, and crayons to fill the story with characters outlined with vibrant fine lines, which bring a particularly cheerful dynamic. Think of this as a cousin to The Giving Tree, with a healthier message: the story ends with Ellie wearing a jaunty tinsel crown, smiling a shy smile, surrounded by joyful residents, happy herself while also making others happy."
