The Elephant with a Trunk on Its Head

HENDERSONVILLE, NC-Know any insecure little elephants in need of an uplifting tale? No? Chances are, however, that there's a young child somewhere that needs a pick-me-up and author Jerry Millinax's new work is sure to do the trick. His delightful new children's book, The Elephant with a Trunk on its Head draws child and parent, alike, into a charming tale of a determined little creature and the hurdles he overcomes. Timothy is an unfortunate young elephant with a speech impediment. However, an even more bizarre physical deformity plagues the bull throughout his life; his trunk, misshapen and uncoordinated, protrudes from an unusual location: the top of his head. The young elephant's unique characteristics hinder his dexterity and render him the target of social scrutiny. In an important competition to win Queen Arrik's favor, he and his mother fear his handicaps will warrant a quick elimination and certain defeat. The elephant that currently serves the queen is retiring; his position will be awarded to the most suitable candidate. The contest includes an intense test of strength and will be held in the queen's arena at Lake Chad. All mother-son teams feverishly work to train their sons in preparation Timothy's trunk makes him top-heavy, and he is unstable and awkward as a result. What he lacks in agility, however, he makes up in determination. In order to keep up with his peers, Timothy trains twice as hard. Along his journey, he confronts a malicious elephant named Madagascar, befriends a lonesome giraffe and a visually disabled bird, encounters a jungle trap, and faces a prejudiced male herd. Still, his most daunting challenge remains: finding the strength to battle his own inner demons. A fanciful account of triumph over adversity, The Elephant with a Trunk on its Head shows children the importance of determination and self-confidence and provides parents with an imaginative read, unlike conventional children's tales.