That Fruit Is Mine!

Five jungle elephants share a passion for fruit, so when they discover a new tall tree whose branches are laden with exotic fruit, they’re all desperate to feast from it. “MINE!” shout all the elephants, and in turn make various comical (and unsuccessful) attempts to reach the prize. It’s not until they notice that a team of five tiny mice have managed to grab a piece of fruit from the tree by working together that the elephants change their refrain from MINE to OURS. Having a shared plan and combining their skills results in the elephants reaching the fruit and learning to share at last.

A classic ‘hare and the tortoise’ scenario where the little guys outwit the big ones by using their brains, this is a lovely book containing some really helpful messages about sharing and working together. There’s an irresistible peek into the clever plans of the tiny mice which is woven through the illustrations as they slowly but surely inch their way to their goal, unnoticed by the elephants.