17 Kings and 42 Elephants: 1

My third grade teacher had the whole class memorize the entire book, and we said it in this rhythmic way and felt very cool. I still remember parts of it years later, and just remember how magical it was to feel transported to the kings on the elephants marching through the jungle on a wild wet night. We did all sorts of crafts and activities around it and our teacher really taught us how fun books and ideas and imagery can be. So I love this book and remember it being very fun when I was in third grade. I also remember great illustrations.

This book is a fast favorite at our house. The verse itself is very similar to Dr. Seuss -- lots of license with words and a bouncy rhyme. The pictures are lovely. With regard to an earlier reviewer's comments, this is NOT a counting book. Instead, it's a tale of kings and elephants (natch!) riding through the jungle who spread their happy song to various animals along the way. Toddlers appreciate the rhyme, while older kids (4-6) will enjoy the creative language.

My husband made up a song to go with the words - this is one of our family's favorites! A very sing-songy read with made up words and a short but sweet narrative. Get this book and try to make up a tune to go with the poetry. This is not a counting book. If you like imagination and poetry, you'll love this.

This narrative was perhaps the first poem my children learned--and both they and I love it. "Seventeen kings and fourty-two elephantsGoing on a journey on a wild wet night"meet all sorts of wonderful creatures in their travels through the lush jungle inhabitting these pages. There are white-toothed crocodiles, green-eyed dragons, small crabs, ponderous hippoptomums, dancing "to the music that the marchers made," not to mention tigers, cranes, pelicans, peacocks, and twangling trillicans. They go off into the night as raindrops glisten on the elephants' backs and the deep dark jungle devours their tracks. Altogether a delightful journey into word play and magical illustrations. Alyssa A. Lappen

This book is musical in its use of language. The verse seems to mimic the marching of the elephants. Reading and listening to the book are equally delightful. The pictures are lush and beautiful. I'm on my second child, and this remains a favorite of my 3 and 6 year old sons.