★ “The spare, efficient text allows the artwork to do the heavy emotional lifting. The choice to make the protagonists anthropomorphized elephants is an inspired one, given the animals’ reputed memories, and makes Big Ella’s loss even more poignant. . . . The sad subject matter is balanced by the loving details and the humor in Eldon’s remembered moments. Simple without being oversimplified and reassuring, countering fears with love.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Ms. Shute’s soft pencil-and-watercolor illustrations of the two exude merriment, creating a sense of warmth even as sadness creeps in.”—The Wall Street Journal

“A sweet, moving tale of memory loss, family, and lasting love.”—School Library Journal

“An affecting picture book. . . . Eliding logistical concerns around a caretaker’s progressive memory loss, it’s a portrait of loving reciprocity. . . .”—Publishers Weekly

“Ms. Shute’s soft pencil-and-watercolor illustrations of the two exude merriment, creating a sense of warmth even as sadness creeps in.”—The Wall Street Journal