When the Elephant Walks (Picture Books: Set A) - Softcover

Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. "All the steps I took growing up were very normal," Ms. Kasza says. "The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States." She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.

After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, "Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle."

Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me," she says. "I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence."

Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:
"I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself."

Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to "create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!"

Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

PreSchool-Grade 1--When the Elephant Walks, he frightens the Bear who in turn scares the next animal; from Crocodile to Wild Hog to Mrs. Raccoon, the panic spreads until it returns to Elephant who is, of course, scared of little Mouse. Although adults will easily predict the outcome, young children will giggle at the absurdity of the conclusion of this humorous story. It is a testament to the artist's expressive watercolors that so fulfilling a tale--complete with a subtle lesson (even the mighty among us are afraid of something)--can be told in so few words. Kasza's restraint in the amount of detail included in the pictures is admirable; large amounts of white space draw attention to and frame each animal's fearful yet silly face. Not an original concept, but nevertheless sure to be a popular choice for preschoolers and beginning readers. --Ellen Fader, Westport Pub . Lib . , CT
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