Description: Gurunpa is a very big elephant. Having lived alone and lazily for so long, he has become quite dirty and rather smelly. His fellow elephants, all grown up, decide it's time to send the ever-idle Gurunpa out into the world to find work. Whether he tries baking cookies, making dishes, or crafting shoes, everything Gurunpa makes turns out far too big, and he keeps getting turned away. Discouraged and disappointed, Gurunpa is nearly moved to tears. But then, a mother with twelve children asks him to come play with her kids. Will Gurunpa finally get it right this time? As the brave but lonely elephant sets off on his journey, one setback after another chips away at his confidence — but in the end, the kindergarten Gurunpa creates brings everyone joy. This is a story that reminds us that even if we're clumsy at many things, everyone has something they can do well. For little ones who are still learning and often feel unsure of themselves, Gurunpa speaks on their behalf, offering the reassuring message: 'I can do this.' Illustrator Horiuchi Seiichi was born in Tokyo in 1932. He worked as a graphic designer and in editorial art for camera and fashion magazines, and was active as an illustrator for picture books and children's books. His picture book works include Black Horse Branky, How Old Is a Car?, Taro's Outing, The Baby Sparrow Who Lost Its Mother, and The Story of Blood. His illustrations for children's stories include The Doll's House, Journey of Snow, Thumbelina, and The Secret Garden. He also compiled The World of Picture Books: 110 Illustrators. He passed away in 1987. Author Nishiuchi Minami was born in Kyoto in 1938. After graduating from Tokyo Woman's Christian University, she worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency for over ten years. She began writing children's stories and picture books while still a student and has continued ever since. She is a member of the Baobab Group. Her picture books include The Carefree Grandfather and the Cat and Suddenly, Back to That Time, as well as The Book of Bedwetting. Her children's stories include Commotion in the Forest and Carter and the Five Children. She currently lives in Tokyo.