Elephants In The Custard by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks – picture book review

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week and today I want to share a lovely children’s picture book that can help to encourage little ones to open up and talk about any worries they might have.

As busy parents we are often juggling several (or more) things on the go. Finding that all important quiet moment to be completely available isn’t always as easy as it seems, especially when everyone NEEDS you to do something for them.

Elephants In The Custard by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks, is a lovely read, which lends itself to creating a pause in the day or before bedtime, with lots of opportunities to ask “has anyone has found elephants in their custard today?”

Elephants In The Custard by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks

A lively rhyming book with a clever take on the metaphor ‘elephant in the room’

Synopsis

“Sol has the craziest dinner time when he finds elephants in his custard! He feels worried and wants to tell his family about them, but everyone looks too busy. As his worries begin to grow, good old Granny comes to the rescue.”

Elephants In The Custard follows the story of Sol who finds elephants in his custard (worries) at dinnertime on Friday. Although he is surrounded by family and friends, no one else seems to be able to see them. 

Sol doesn’t feel like he can tell anyone about the elephants as they all look far too busy to stop to listen. Dad is busy tidying up. Mum is working late and his sister is doing her homework. The trouble is, the longer Sol keeps quiet, the more out of control the elephants seem to get.

Just when things seem at their worst, good old Granny comes to the rescue with patience, a kind ear and some spectacular elephant taming, much to everyone’s delight. 

Our overall thoughts

Elephants In The Custard is such a lovely story. The playful illustrations and bouncy text keeps it a light hearted read that little ones will come back to over and over again. We particularly love the gentle message of sharing worries and making time to talk around the table at mealtimes. 

It’s a very popular picture book in the Button house! We’ve taken it in turns to read it out loud and also taken the opportunity to notice and talk about how we are feeling. I think the term ‘elephants in the custard’ is just so catchy, and I’ve already caught myself asking ‘do you have elephants in your custard’ when met with a bit of a grumpy face! *Somehow just saying that can turn a frown upside down.

We’d absolutely recommend Elephants In The Custard by Samuel Langley-Swain and Jemma Banks, which has currently been made into a new (and FREE) interactive musical story by The London Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Is there someone in your family that everyone goes to, to share worries?

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