Ellie and Her Elephant

Ellie and her Elephant is about a young girl named Ellie who enters a contest to name a pending baby elephant at the local zoo. She sends her own name in as a potential name for the new elephant because the name must begin with an E and the second letter had to be an L as per the Mayors edict. The mayor drew the winning name while being blindfolded; Ellie is the winner. She is honored to have named the baby elephant and takes the added responsibilities seriously. Ellies father (a music store owner) shares with Ellies friends about how music came into being and something about pianos. Prior to it had not excited Ellie about learning to play any instrument and when her fingers touch the keys for the first time magic happens! The years roll by quickly and Ellie eventually gets a partial music scholarship that includes housing for students with physical limitations. Coincidentally this is the same community college her father attended.Ellie finds love in the eyes of her physical therapist and this helps her to reach her goals of gaining her strength and walking to surprise her father on her graduation day. There are several thinking questions for the reader to answer whether it be in their own minds solely or by writing in spaces provided. It allows the child to be taught great principles through their own personal inquiry. That is so much better than preaching. We learn lessons when the individual experiences and decides rather than when he or she is told.