OFFICIAL

PICTURE BOOK WEB SITE
Created by DIANA M. HAWKINS

Published by Lifevest Publishing, 28 pages, full color illustrations by award winning artist, Kevin Collier

SOFT COVER   $8.99

SPECIAL SPRING 2009 OFFER

Book signed by the author

WithYOUR CHILD's name

FREE SHIPPING*

For more information, email: lumpy@dmhawkins.com

*Available only in USA

Also available from:

Lifevest Books

Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com

About the Book

Lumpy is treated as an outcast by the other toys because he is so much bigger and less agile than they are. They never include him in their games so he always feels lonely and sad.

One day Lumpy’s companions find themselves faced with a serious predicament. Freddy the Frog is trapped in a dark, scary place and his friends can’t get him out. Who will save him?

To everyone’s surprise, Lumpy steps forward to save the day and gains a new found respect from the other toys. This is a charming story that describes how an individual’s unique talents and abilities can often go unnoticed.

What People are Saying --

This book has a wonderful message for kids and conveys this message with such a sweet story. The author has obvious enthusiasm for her subject and respect for her readers. She does an excellent job of embedding lessons in a compelling story without being too obvious or too obtuse. The colorful illustrations add to the impact of an overall excellent book.
Children's Picture Book Awards Commentary, Writer's Digest, Cincinnati, OH

This book lets children know that everyone has value and talent no matter their size or appearance.
Frances Miller, Tucson, AZ

Our family loves the book and loves the lessons learned from the book. Very cute elephant!
Rene Fields, Nashville, TN

Lumpy the Elephant is a fun and inspiring story for pre-schoolers and kids in the lower grades. The brightly colored illustrations bring the book's characters to life. In an environment where kids are sometimes unappreciated by their peers, this story shows how an individual can gain renewed respect, when his or her unique qualities come to light. My kids love it.
Barbara Gray, Athens, GA

This delightfully written and illustrated book shows children how one's differences can actually be their strengths. An outsider among the toys, Lumpy the Elephant becomes the hero rescuing a friend in need. This classical story is sure to become a child's favorite.
Margaret Burkholder, Tucson, AZ

Diana Hawkins does an excellent job with this delightful story that sends a positive message to kids across a wide age range. Very well written and illustrated.
Joanna Robertson, Afghanistan

Lumpy the Elephant is a fun and inspiring story for children aged 3-8. The book is easy to read for first and second graders and perfect for reading to the younger set.
Rosemary Chisnall, Mesa AZ

Nana, I think the Lumpy book was very good as it teaches little children not to be mean to other people. I read it to Anna (4) and now she wants it every night. 10-year old Emily, St. Didier, France

My daughter is 4yrs old and likes me to read her this book every night. She even knows the words when I turn the page. Overall, great book!!! Barbara Burgess, Atlanta, GA

Lumpy the Elephant is a delightful story that conveys to young readers in an entertaining manner, the values of fair play and and honesty. We purchased the book especially for my grand-nephew living in Houston, Texas, and he simply loves to re-read the story of Lumpy on a regular basis. Carol & Robert Brown, Fleet, Hampshire, England.

Special Events

In November and December 2008, Diana appeared as a guest author at Books For Less in Buford, GA, to read to kids and sign books for Christmas shoppers.

Diana Hawkins visited elementary schools in Arizona, Virginia, and Georgia to talk to students in Kindergarten through Second Grade and read them Lumpy the Elephant. One of many hand written messages that she received from these students appears below:

Cast of Characters:

Lumpy the Elephant Lumpy the Elephant is a soft toy elephant who lives with two sisters, Margaret and Joanna. Like his species in the wild, he is so much bigger and stronger than other animals. He wishes he had more in common with the other toys.	Oscar the Owl Of all the toys in Margaret and Joanna’s bedroom, Oscar is the sensible one. He definitely fits the part of the “Wise old owl.” Even though as a toy, he is unable to fly he can still imagine soaring high above the treetops.
Freddy the Frog Freddy is an adventurer, always ready to leap and jump into unexplored places.	Tommy the Turtle Like his cousin the Tortoise, in the story about the tortoise and the hare, Tommy is slow and steady. He’s also a hard worker and can carry things on his back.
The Gonks, Gilbert and Gertie
Gilbert and Gertie are homemade toys created out of fabric scraps. Their long, skinny legs are perfect for dancing. Soft toys, named Gonks, were first created during the First and Second World Wars to keep children’s spirits high. Because materials to manufacture toys were scarce during the war years, mothers made these simple playthings, at home, from old socks and rags.

About the Author

Diana M. Hawkins originally wrote this story when her two older daughters were just toddlers. Today their children are that age. Diana grew up in Zimbabwe and Lumpy was inspired by her life-long love of elephants. She left Africa in the 1970s and settled in the United States, where she pursued a career as a journalist and environmental writer. This is her first children’s book.

Kids' Activities
(Printable -- click on photo for printer friendly page)

Lumpy the Elephant Coloring Page

Lumpy the Elephant Word Find

Word Find Solution (click here)