Elbert in the Air
Monica Wesolowska

Dial Books, Penguin Random House
Agent:
Kelly Sonnack
A magical allegory about unconditional love and rising above those who stand in the way of being who you are, for fans of Up.
Shortly after he is born, Elbert floats up into the air. Before long, his mother must stand on her tip toes to reach him and toss toys into the air at playtime. While everyone in town, from the school nurse to the mayor, is full of advice for keeping her boy down, Elbert’s mother knows her son is meant to float. And so, she lets him.
But as life becomes more and more difficult for a floating boy, and people understand him less and less, Elbert has to make a decision: Stay bound to the ground or float higher in the hopes of finding the world—and community—he’s always wished for.
Noteworthy
★ “A fun story with plenty of space left in it to apply it to nearly any discussion about celebrating who you are, especially if you feel different. And don’t we all? …Featuring the unconditional, iridescent love of a caregiver and Elbert’s own stoic nature, this is a stellar purchase for every picture book collection.” –School Library Journal, starred review