The Elephant Trumpets in the Morning follows a joyful elephant whose daily dawn trumpet transforms the jungle’s initial annoyance into a shared morning tradition that builds confidence and community. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

The inspiration actually came from a joyful little morning routine of my own.  My husband and I would get such a good chuckle out of it that, eventually, he started his own version.  Before we knew it, we were both looking forward to these little moments every morning.

It made me think about how something so simple, something you do just because it makes you happy, can become contagious in the best possible way. That’s really where the elephant’s story began. His morning trumpet is his own little celebration of a new day, but eventually that joy spreads to everyone around him.

What does “Elephant O’Clock” capture about the way a child’s personal ritual can grow into a shared sense of belonging?

Honestly, “Elephant O’Clock” is just a fun saying! In my household, we have a habit of naming everything or coming up with little expressions for things. It’s almost like the military and their “oh-dark-thirty.” We have our own little language, and that’s part of the fun.

But when I think about it, those little sayings and routines do create a sense of belonging, don’t they? They become something everyone recognizes and shares. That’s what happened with the elephant. What started as his own joyful morning ritual eventually became something the other animals recognized and looked forward to.

I think children experience that same thing with their families and friends. It’s those little traditions, funny expressions, and everyday moments that become special because they’re shared. Sometimes belonging is as simple as having something that makes everyone smile.

What do Reggie Howard’s close-ups and exaggerated expressions bring to the elephant’s character that you hoped would resonate with young readers?

Oh, the fun of it all! The beauty, the excitement, the personality! I think Reggie captured it beautifully. His close-ups and expressions really bring the elephant to life. You can see his joy, his excitement, and his personality without even reading a word.

And that’s something I love about children’s books. Sometimes the illustrations tell just as much of the story as the words do. I wanted children to feel the elephant’s happiness, to laugh at his expressions, and to enjoy every moment of his morning routine. I think Reggie accomplished that wonderfully.

What guided the different lesson explanations for ages three to six and six to nine, and how do the elephant facts complement them?

I really thought about how children at different ages experience stories. For the little, little ones, sometimes fewer words are better. They’re enjoying the pictures, the characters, and the fun of the story. But as children get older, they naturally start asking more questions. They want to understand why things happen and what they mean. So I wanted to give them a little more to think about.

And the elephant facts? Well, that’s just another opportunity to learn something! I love when a children’s book can entertain and educate at the same time. The story introduces children to this joyful little elephant, and the facts give them an opportunity to learn more about real elephants. It encourages curiosity and, hopefully, a few more questions!

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