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Elephant Beach: Fun Times at the Beach
Explore The Elephant Beach with author Christine Devane as kids ask hilarious, unexpected questions about elephants, beaches, and everything in between.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read Elephant Beach by Christine Devane. It's a playful story about a quiet child whose peaceful beach day is completely turned upside down by a group of energetic elephants. What starts as frustration slowly turns into friendship, fun, and a whole lot of unexpected joy.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
Together, they welcome Christine Devane, author of Elephant Beach and the Lola and Sophie series. Christine shares her lifelong love of elephants, her inspiration for blending beach memories with playful imagination, and the real-life influences behind the details in her book, from her children’s favorite colors to her own childhood collections.
Her answers give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories come together and remind kids that inspiration can come from the things they already love most.
Children’s books often reflect real childhood experiences in imaginative ways, and Elephant Beach does exactly that. At its core, the story follows a quiet child who simply wants a calm day at the beach, reading, relaxing, and staying in her comfort zone.
But everything changes when a group of energetic elephants arrives.
They’re loud. They’re messy. They accidentally disrupt everything, from popping floaties to shaking the ground with their dancing. At first, the main character resists joining in, choosing instead to observe from a distance.
But little by little, curiosity takes over.
What begins as hesitation turns into participation. She joins a volleyball game, rides waves, shares food, and even helps the elephants overcome their own fears, proving that bravery doesn’t always look loud or bold. Sometimes it looks like taking one small step outside your comfort zone.
By the end, what seemed like the “worst” kind of beach day becomes one she never wants to end.
At its heart, Elephant Beach is about perspective.
The story cleverly uses repetition, “don’t go to an elephant beach”, to build humor, while showing all the chaotic reasons why. But with each moment, the reader begins to see something else underneath the chaos: connection, playfulness, and joy.
The elephants, while overwhelming at first, aren’t unkind, they’re simply different. And as the main character begins to engage with them, she discovers that their energy creates opportunities for fun she wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
One standout moment is when the child helps the elephants face their fear of a tiny hermit crab. It’s a subtle but powerful role reversal: the quiet observer becomes the brave leader, showing that courage isn’t about being the loudest, it’s about stepping up when it matters.
By the end, the story flips its message entirely. Maybe you should go to an elephant beach… especially if you’re open to a little unexpected fun.
Christine Devane shares that Elephant Beach is inspired by two things she’s always loved: elephants and the beach. By combining them, she created a setting that feels both familiar and wildly imaginative, something kids instantly connect with.
She also weaves personal touches into the story, like choosing bathing suit colors based on her children’s preferences and adjusting details based on family feedback. These small choices add authenticity and warmth to the book.
Christine’s fascination with elephants began in childhood, when she collected elephant figurines from around the world. She describes them as playful, social, and kind, qualities that shine through in how they’re portrayed in the story.
Her real-life experiences, including seeing elephants on a safari and visiting an elephant sanctuary, helped shape her understanding of their behavior, like how they cool off with mud or interact in groups.
Beyond just reading, Christine emphasizes creating stories that invite interaction. Whether it’s imagining elephants dancing, thinking about what they might eat, or pretending to be at the beach, Elephant Beach becomes an experience kids can step into, not just observe.
The main character’s journey reflects a very real childhood experience: wanting to stay in a safe, quiet space while the world feels loud and overwhelming. The story gently encourages kids to take small steps toward trying something new.
The elephants represent the unexpected, new people, new situations, and new experiences. What initially feels uncomfortable can often lead to the most meaningful connections.
One of the most meaningful takeaways is that bravery doesn’t have to be big. Helping the elephants feel less afraid of a tiny crab shows that even quiet kids can be strong, confident, and capable leaders.
The story flips expectations in a fun way, reminding readers that sometimes the best memories come from the things that didn’t go according to plan.
One of the most engaging parts of the episode is hearing the wide range of questions kids come up with, and Christine’s thoughtful, often funny responses.
Kids asked everything from:
Do elephants wear sunscreen?
Where would elephants get bathing suits?
What kind of music would elephants like?
Can elephants feel a tiny crab pinching them?
Christine blends real facts (like elephants having sensitive skin) with imaginative answers, making learning feel playful and natural.
Her responses also show kids that it’s okay not to have every answer, and that curiosity is always a good thing.
In this episode’s Kid Challenge, Christine is asked to make her best elephant noise, and fully commits, complete with sound effects and movement.
This moment captures what makes the series so special: it’s not just about books, it’s about connection, laughter, and letting kids see authors as real, playful people.
The episode also features a rapid-fire round where Christine answers as many beach and elephant-themed questions as possible in one minute, setting a new record and bringing even more energy to the conversation.
One of the most memorable moments comes at the end, when Christine shares a real-life beach story about her dog Sophie, who managed to escape the house, travel down the street, and find her family at the beach on her own.
It’s funny, relatable, and perfectly aligned with the spirit of Elephant Beach: sometimes the most unexpected moments turn into the best stories.
Christine’s journey as an author, and her openness in sharing personal stories, reminds viewers that creativity often starts with the things we already love.
For kids, it’s a reminder that their ideas, questions, and imaginations matter.
For parents and educators, it’s a reminder that stories like Elephant Beach can open the door to conversations about:
Trying new things
Managing big feelings
Building friendships
Finding confidence in unexpected ways
Elephant Beach is more than just a fun, silly story. It’s a gentle, encouraging reminder that sometimes the best experiences come from stepping outside what feels safe and familiar.
Through laughter, imaginative play, and thoughtful questions from kids, this episode of Kids Ask Authors Answerbrings the story to life in a way that feels both entertaining and meaningful.
At the end of the day, it leaves viewers with a simple but powerful idea: You never know what kind of adventure is waiting… unless you’re willing to join in.
Want to Grab a Copy of Elephant Beach?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/4crKgjw
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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