The US Review of Books commends Loretta Beacham’s “Charlie and the Elephant” because the book “feels very much like a story born out of the desire to coax a child into falling asleep” 

“Charlie and the Elephant” by Loretta Beacham is the ideal book to read for bedtime story moments that parents could have with their little ones. It may be a way of teaching your kids values and helping them realize that there are lovely things in life, in addition to being a chance to bond with them.

“Charlie and the Elephant”, which was inspired by a young child who resisted taking her normal nap, follows Charlie as she travels to a wonderful forest with a blue elephant. Charlie is blissfully unaware that her elephant companion is depressed since she is so far from the capital, where her family resides.

She is encouraged to calm down the blue elephant and lull it to sleep by another new friend, Mr. Crow. Charlie receives help from Mr. Crow, Ms. Ash Tree (a talking tree), and a whole murder of feathery friends to fend off poachers who attempt to take the blue elephant’s tusks. In the conclusion, she had a beautiful experience that she will never forget. 

Here’s an excerpt from the review written by the Joyce Jacobo from the US Review of Books that highlights:

“Beautiful illustrations reminiscent of a child’s crayoned drawings decorate each page of this delightful book. There is a playful, dreamlike quality to these pictures and the narrative itself, where such peculiar things happen as blue elephants whisking children away to forests or crows wearing glasses. It also feels very much like a story born out of the desire to coax a child into falling asleep. As with a certain little girl who refused to do so, Charlie tries to resist taking a nap and even ponders its importance. Even so, the enchanting nature of the plot and the melodic rhythm of each line give the impression of being gently rocked to sleep. These qualities make it the perfect bedtime or naptime adventure for parents to read to their little ones.”