50’s children’s book about a “Trojan” style elephant, I think named “Packy” for pachyderm, carries kids through a forest on an adventure.
I have looked for this book for years. Was read to my class in third or fourth grade in mid-50’s in Fort Lauderdale.
Thanks for helping.
Picky: The runaway elephant !
*Packy
Might it be “The Wonderful Electric Elephant”?
Only one child traveled in him.
This is ‘Danger in the Everglades” by Frederick W. Keith published (1957) An amazing vehicle, built in the form of an elephant, running on a small gasoline engine and complete with bunks inside (which someone actually built in Florida), is the prop for an adventure that is not beyond the bounds of possibility. Fifteen year old Steve Hubbard in Daytona Beach is worried after a hurricane and an unhealthy period of silence from his parents who went off in their small boat on a botanical expedition to remote Shark River in Southern Florida. He persuades his aunt to let him take Packy, Mr. Hubbard’s mechanical elephant, and go out and hunt for them. Happenings along the way include the rescue of two orphans just escaped from a Home which treated them badly and the ultimate rescue of the Hubbards who would have drowned had not Steve and his new friends come along just then. Adoption of the orphans by the Hubbards becomes part of the happy ending.
Melissa,
Thank you so much. I posted a reply earlier.
Peggy
Thank you so much, Melissa, for solving this mystery. I have looked for this book using the search word “Packy” and pachyderm and trojan elephant, but never a result.
Now my problem is finding the book. It seems there aren’t any available on any website.
Can anyone help me to find one to buy?
Thanks for any assistance you can give me.
Peggy Gehl
[email protected]