When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles

For the child learning to be a gentle caregiver when others are under the weather. A playful guide to tending to a giant friend with a very big cold.

Find on Bookshop.org Find on Amazon Save

About This Book

Reach for this book when your child is feeling under the weather or when a family member is sick and your little one wants to help but doesn't quite know how. It is a perfect choice for fostering early empathy and teaching the importance of gentle caregiving through a lens of humor rather than fear. The story follows a young girl as she navigates the monumental task of nursing her pet elephant through a cold. From offering oversized tissues to preparing warm baths, the book uses an absurdist premise to model real-world nurturing behaviors. Parents will appreciate how it validates the repetitive nature of caregiving while keeping the mood light and playful for toddlers and preschoolers. It effectively transforms the stress of 'the sniffles' into a bonding opportunity centered on patience and kindness.

Animals Empathy & Kindness Humor Child Illness Hygiene & Self-Care Patience & Waiting

What Parents Should Know

Mild PerilMild

A looming sneeze creates some playful slapstick tension.

Sensitive Topics

None. The book treats illness as a common, temporary, and secular experience. The resolution is hopeful and focuses on recovery and mutual care.

Ideal Reader

A 3-year-old who is fascinated by 'playing doctor' or a preschooler who is currently stuck at home with a cold and needs a laugh to distract them from their own runny nose.