In 2015, a picture book was released that has since been a beloved staple of many libraries and bookshelves: Strictly No Elephants, the tale of a child, their tiny pet elephant, and building a community in which all people — and creatures — feel considered and respected. Just shy of the tenth anniversary of Strictly No Elephants, the creators are bringing readers a companion story, The Trouble With Giraffes, which picks up where the last book left off and explores the importance of creating accessibility and inclusion. We recently had the chance to speak with author Lisa Mantchev and illustrator Taeeun Yoo about their beloved book, its enduring impact on children, and what readers can expect from the sequel.
About Lisa Mantchev
Lisa Mantchev is a temporally displaced Capricorn who casts her spells from an ancient tree in the Pacific Northwest. When not scribbling, she is by turns an earth elemental, theater nerd, treasure hunter, domestic goddess, and D&D enthusiast. She shares her office with eight vintage typewriters and her abode with her husband, children, upstairs cats, and downstairs dogs.
About Taeeun Yoo
Taeeun Yoo has twice received the prestigious New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award. She has illustrated many books, including Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, which has been published in fourteen countries. The New York Times called it a “sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale.” She is also the illustrator of Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivan, which received five starred reviews and was named a best book of the year by many publications. Her other books include So Many Days and Only a Witch Can Fly, both by Alison McGhee, and Round by Joyce Sidman. Taeeun was also the recipient of the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Society of Illustrators’ Founders Award. She lives in South Korea with her family.
Lisa and Taeeun, thank you so much for joining us! Let’s jump into the questions.
For those who may have missed Strictly No Elephants, can you give us a brief introduction to how the Pet Club of both books came to be?
Lisa: In Strictly No Elephants, a young boy is excluded from the original neighborhood Pet Club because of his unusual pet… a tiny elephant. After he is turned away at the door, he chances upon a little girl with a skunk, who was also turned away. They bond over their unique friends and decide to start a club where “all are welcome.”
The Trouble With Giraffes switches the focus from the narrator of the previous book to a little girl with a pet giraffe. What led to this new direction, and how does the little girl’s story differ from the previous narrator’s?
Lisa: When Paula Wiseman approached me about penning a companion book, we knew we wanted to draw from the original core group of animals in Strictly No Elephants. I sketched out a few options, and the one I liked the best focused on the physical differences (and dietary preferences!) between a child and a much larger pet. I might have tapped into being A Tall Person, just a smidge. I’m 5’11” and plus-size, so I know what it’s like to scrunch into a space that wasn’t made with me in mind.
Both books are all about creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of identity or ability. Why do you think that this continues to be such a critical message for young readers?
Lisa: Messages like this are never “one and done,” and every new wave of kids in classrooms and libraries brings opportunities to teach lessons about compassion. About kindness. About offering a hand to those who need it most. It’s never too early to remind them to think of situations from the other person’s perspective and apply the motto “what else can I do to make the world a better place?” as necessary.
Taeeun: During childhood, identities are still forming, and when young readers encounter stories about inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone, they learn that diversity is not something to overlook or to be afraid of. It can be something joyful, and we can learn from one another.
Was it fun teaming up again for this title? Was there any difference in approach from when you worked together ten years ago?
Lisa: Ten years ago, the Simon & Schuster art department and my editor at the time (Sylvie Frank) paired my words with Taeeun’s art, and it was magical from the get-go. At the time, I had no idea how any part of the process worked, so it was a two-year roller coaster of pencil sketches and early color renderings and making subtle tweaks to the copy to leave room for the art. This time around, I think there was less guesswork on my part (or, at least, I hope so!)
Taeeun: I feel so lucky to be illustrating Lisa’s book. Ten years ago, I had such a fun time visualizing the world of Pet Club. And I am grateful to be part of her world again. I feel very supported when I work with Lisa and the S&S team. It’s very helpful for me to work more freely.
Taeeun, as an artist, did you enjoy returning to the world of the Pet Club and its remarkable menagerie of animal companions? Are there any new species in this title that readers should keep their eyes peeled for?
Taeeun: I definitely enjoyed working on this companion book. Strictly No Elephants is one of my favorite projects that I’ve worked on. When I received this story that Lisa wrote, I immediately fell back into the world of the Pet Club again, and I was already drawing it in my head. I didn’t add any new kinds of animals, but the characters have grown a bit since the first book.
In the ten years since Strictly No Elephants was published, have you ever had any particularly memorable fan interactions or reactions to the book?
Lisa: I had the chance to do a warehouse signing at Costco and got to meet a family with a sizeable number of children whose names all started with the letter “K.” I had each of them spell their names for me, so we could get the entire roster in the personalization.
Taeeun: I always love seeing children draw the cover or scenes from the book. It’s even more delightful when they dress up like the boy and the elephant.
We always love to ask children’s authors and illustrators about the books that inspired them when they were young readers. Are there any books or series from your childhood that you carry in your heart?
Lisa: I was a BritLit kid, so classics like Secret Garden and A Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland, and The Shoes series by Noel Streatfeild, as well as anything by L.M. Montgomery (on this side of the pond, albeit over the Canadian border) and Little Women. Pretty sure this is why I repeatedly asked to be sent to boarding school.
Taeeun: As a child, I loved Pippi Longstocking. I was fascinated by how a little girl could live in a big house without any parents or adults, surrounded by animals, and handle every challenge on her own. I think I especially enjoyed Pippi because she was so different from who I was at the time — bold, free, and full of surprises.
Lastly, in honor of The Trouble With Giraffes, if you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be and why?
Lisa: Today, it’s a three-way tie with a fox, an owl, and a bat. Probably because I just started contemplating Halloween costumes and decorations, and those would fit in perfectly with cozy sweaters, chai lattes, and pumpkins on the porch. I can finally get a giant witch’s hat and let the bat hang upside-down off the brim. The owl can perch on my shoulder, and the fox can pad alongside. This will look perfectly normal at the grocery store, I am certain.
Taeeun: I want to have a big cat (maybe like a tiger) because it will be lovely to sit together at a cozy table with and share coffee and cake.
An elephant-sized thank you to Lisa and Taeeun for taking the time to talk with us! Be sure to find Lisa online at LisaMantchev.com and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Bluesky. Look for Taeeun online at TaeeunYoo.com and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. And, of course, don’t forget to check out The Trouble with Giraffes and add it to your family’s reading list!
To check out more of our exclusive talks with authors, check out our entire One-on-One Interview series!
To see all of our recommendations for mini-bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
