I liked this book for three reasons they are the plot, the illustrations and the way the book makes the reader think about a tough subject manner, in this case bullying. The big message of this story is that even if you are different and people tell you it’s wrong to be that way every one of us is special as a person and if we persevere we will discover our own greatness.
First, the plot of this story is very well defined and easy to follow. Each page works as a different stepping stone of the story and connects to the readers by drawing them into the heart-wrenching story of Dumbo. For example, the book begins with a stork trying to find Mrs. Jumbo (Dumbo’s mother) so that he can deliver the little elephant to her. But the story takes a twist once Dumbo is revealed and is shown to have oversized ears, he is immediately ridiculed by the other adult elephants so his mother takes him to a corner and they rest together. This is just heart-wrenching for readers to see for both Dumbo and his mother being segregated. This moment draws in readers by connecting them to these warm, loving characters that are being mistreated just for being different. Also the plot introduces a very nice twist that is quite satisfying to readers who have watched Dumbo struggle to fit in throughout the whole story. This is of course when he learns he can use his ears to fly which makes him the star attraction of the circus and no longer an outsider. This makes readers happy as justice was served and clearly now without Dumbo the circus would have no main attraction.
Secondly, the illustrations in this book are fantastic and so well done that it feels like the characters pop right off the page. For example, the illustration that is shown of Dumbo’s mother protecting him from three boys who have come in and pick on Dumbo is amazing. It clearly shows the anger in Mrs. Jumbo’s face as she has the bale of hay in her trunk ready to protect her son from being hurt. It also shows how protective Dumbo feels with his mother as he is shown resting underneath her legs truly horrified by what the boys have said knowing that she is his only safe place. Another illustration that exemplifies the mood of the text with it is the one showing Timothy (Dumbo’s only friend) washing him off after he had been humiliated by the clowns in the circus act. It shows Timothy angry but strong as he tries to hold his friend Dumbo together as he weeps for how horrible things have become. Illustrations like these examples are present on every page of the story and truly add an emotional depth to the story that is being told in the text.
Thirdly, this story definitely pushes readers to examine the tough issue of bullying and treating people harshly just because they are different. The best example of this is right at the beginning when Dumbo first joins his mother in the train car and is made fun of by the adult elephants just because of his big ears. This is a major problem in our society now as not only do kids pick on each other but adults inhibit these actions by telling their children that being different is wrong. The issue is key throughout the story as Dumbo is mistreated more and more and his mother is powerless to stop it. For example, when she does lash out and try to help her son she is locked away. This book makes readers examine their own prejudices and how they judge people just by their looks before they even know them. Of course the story does end happily as Dumbo perseveres through all the bullying and mistreatment and becomes a truly special individual. This would be uplifting to those that are bullied to never give in and just keep trying because you are more special then they way those bullies make you feel. ( )