Mighty Muddy Us

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

From author Caron Levis and New York Times bestselling illustrator Charles Santoso—the award-winning team behind Feathers Together; Ida, Always; and This Way, Charlie—comes Mighty Muddy Us, a moving, full-color picture book story of sibling love, inspired by a real-life elephant family.

The moment he is born, Ely delights in the welcoming trumpets of his adoring big sister, Enid. She is so excited to play—but Ely’s legs are injured and it’s hard for him to move. To help keep Ely safe, Enid sticks close to her determined brother as they grow together through the seasons, trunk-twirling, mud-wallowing, and making silly sounds!

But as Ely grows more confident, he’s ready for more adventures, and he feels squished by Enid’s worries and rules. Enid is glad that he can run and play, but she’s nervous he could get hurt—or that he won’t need his big sister anymore. When a drought threatens the whole family, Ely shows what he is capable of, and both he and Enid discover that whether they are helping or playing, dusty or muddy, siblings are mighty special.

About the Author

Caron Levis is the author of several picture books, including Feathers Together; This Way, Charlie; and Ida, Always, all illustrated by Charles Santoso; Stop That Yawn!, illustrated by LeUyen Pham; and Mama’s Work Shoes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. She is a professor and advisor for the New School’s Writing for Children/YA MFA program and a licensed social worker. Levis uses drama and writing to explore books, feelings, and imagination with kids through her author workshops. She lives in Brooklyn.

Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal and dreaming about funny, wondrous stories. He is the creator of Happy Hippo and has illustrated many books, including Levis’s Feathers Together; This Way, Charlie; and Ida, Always as well as Joe McGee’s Peanut Butter & series and the New York Times bestseller Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. His drawings and paintings have been exhibited in Australia, North America, and France, and he is based in Singapore.