The Elephants in the Land of Enchantment Read online

  “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.

  Sandia = watermelon

  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)

  Albóndigas = meatballs made with rice

  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 CookieBizcochito

  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