Barroux’s sequel to Where’s the Elephant? plays upon the same premise. The ludic format of the wimmelbook, such as Where’s Wally, becomes a catalyst for an important message about protecting the environment. Children will have great fun spotting the starfish in the sea-life panoramas that fill each double spread, yet as the pages turn the underlying message becomes apparent. The fish run out of room as more and more rubbish fills the pages; the mood of the picturebook turns from cheerful ocean life to the pain of a polluted, deteriorating habitat. Children will be able to consider their own expectations – was the twist expected? Did the change of tone surprise them? Furthermore, connections can be made about the role of sustainable development in the future of the environment: issues such as excessive plastic, waste disposal, and endangered species can be pulled out and explored in a classroom environment.
