“Look there,” said a man. “A balloon with four elephants!”
“That is a new balloon for this year,” said a woman.
“That is the creator of the balloon in the basket. But who is that with her? The kids with the big noses?” asked the man.
“We’re from Elephas!” shouted Penelope.
“And we are proud to be elephants!” called Harold.
“What did he say?” asked the woman.
“Something about a lamppost? That makes no sense,” said the man.
Harold and Penelope continued to wave as the balloon rose. They could see other balloons begin to take off.
“Wow!” said Harold. Look at all the different shaped balloons! I see a cow and a fish!”
“Look at the bees! They are kissing!” cried Penelope.
“I never knew that balloons could have so many different shapes.” Harold scratched his head.
“The wind is taking to the north today,” said Maria. “The chase crew will bring your parents to meet us when we land.”
“This is wonderful,” said Penelope. “I never want to land!”
“Forget being an astronaut,” cried Harold. “I want to be a balloon pilot!”
“If we don’t land, we will miss the balloon party tonight. And the food,” said the pilot.
“Will there be bizcochitos?” asked Harold.
“And peas?” asked Penelope.
“Of course,” said Maria.
This pleased Harold and Penelope. Because (as everyone in New Mexico knows), elephants are very found of peas.
The Elephants’ Guide to British Terms and British Food
Pocket money = allowance
Sweet = candy
Sticky toffee pudding = sponge cake made with dates and covered with toffee sauce
Jammie Dodger = a British sandwich cookie with a jam filling
Biscuit = cookie
Jelly Baby = a soft candy, they come in different colors and fruit flavors
The Elephants’ Guide to Speaking Spanish
El Día de los Muertos = The Day of the Dead, it is celebrated November 1st and 2nd. These are the Catholic holy days of All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. October 31st (Hallowe’en) is All Hallow’s Eve.
Mesa = table, or a rock formation with a flat top
Quinceañera = a special party held when a Latina girl turns fifteen
Abuelita = grandmother
Hola = hello
Tía = aunt
Loco = crazy
Gringo = foreigner
Él es tan fuente! = He is so strong!
¡Muy caliente! = Very hot!
Mañana = tomorrow
Que bonito! = How beautiful!
Un poco = a little
Ristra = a bundle of dried peppers
¿Salsa roja o verde? = Red or green sauce?
Navidad = Christmas
Ultima muñeca = last doll
Corona = crown or tiara
Dama = lady
Chambelán = escort
Abuelito = grandfather
Novio = boyfriend
Cocina = kitchen
The Elephants’ Guide to New Mexican Food
Empanada = a stuffed pastry
Flan = a caramel custard
Calaveras de azucar = a candy in the shape of a human skull. They are usually eaten around Hallowe’en or El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead).
Chile or Chile pepper = small, hot peppers (sometimes spelled chili or chilli)
Calabacitas = a mix of onion, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, green chile, cilantro, oregano, and cloves
Tortilla = a round, flat bread made with corn or wheat flour
Salsa = sauce, usually a hot sauce
Cerveza = beer
Bizcochito = a crispy butter cookie, flavored with anise and cinnamon
Burrito = a large flour tortilla wrapped around a filling
Chile rellenos = chile peppers stuffed with cheese and fried
Enchiladas = small corn tortillas that are filled, rolled up, and cooked in an oven
Tamales = steam cooked corn flour dough, sometimes with meat, wrapped in a corn husk
Fajitas = grilled meat, onions, and peppers, served on a tortilla
Frijoles refritos = refried beans
Guacamole = mashed avocado with tomatoes and salt
Pico de gallo = “rooster’s beak”; chopped tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos or serranos
Fried ice cream = ice cream rolled in cookie crumbs and deep fried in cooking oil
Breakfast burritos = a large flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, onions, peppers, and chile sauce
Fun Facts about New Mexico
Capital CitySanta Fe
Largest CityAlbuquerque
Became a StateJanuary 16th, 1912
State MottoCrescit eundo – Latin (“It Grows as It Goes”)
State Nickname“Land of Enchantment” (“Tierra del Encanto” – Spanish)
State FlowerYucca flower
State BirdGreater Roadrunner
State AnimalBlack Bear
State VegetablesFrijoles con chile (Beans and chiles)
State GemTurquoise
State FossilCoelophysis
State InsectTarantula Wasp
State Question“Red or green?” (For red or green chile.)
About the Author
Beverly Eschberger enjoys writing books she would have liked to read as a child. These books include The Elephant Family series, and several other books soon to be published.
Ms. Eschberger lives in New Mexico, with her husband Geoff and son Christopher, as well as two cats. When she does not have her nose buried in a book, she enjoys writing about paleontology, nature, and travel.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: A Letter from America
Chapter 2: Leaving London
Chapter 3: The Land of Enchantment
Chapter 4: Cooking
Chapter 5: Elefant is Loco
Chapter 6: Dinner and UFO’s
Chapter 7: Dawn Patrol
Chapter 8: Visiting Old Town
Chapter 9: The Quinceañera
Chapter 10: The Party
Chapter 11: Dancing
Chapter 12: The Art Piece
The Elephants’ Guide to British Terms and British Food
The Elephants’ Guide to Speaking Spanish
The Elephants’ Guide to New Mexican Food
Fun Facts about New Mexico
About the Author