This book was not my favorite. It was cute and had a funny story line, but some of the jokes mad might be a little complex for young readers. I do think it would be great for a little bit older group. ( )

IT ME. ( )

As the title gives away, an elephant needs someone to scratch an itch on his back. It's lightly amusing as he goes through several animals looking for the best scratcher, but then the elephant acts like a huge jerk near the end the book, screwing over the porcupine who finally is able to help him, ruining the whole story. ( )

An elephant has an itch it can't reach, so it asks for help. Some animals are downright unhelpful (turtle), some are too eager to help (alligator and snake), and some have good intentions but simply aren't capable (hippo, sloth, meerkats). At last, the hippo finds a hedgehog, which it unceremoniously uses and then tosses; the hedgehog lands prickle-side-down and is stuck and in need of help! The helpful sloth reappears ("I'm on my way! ....Almost there!"). Cute, funny, good choice for storytime. ( )

Elephant has a problem: the itch on his back is in a spot he can't reach, and none of the animals he encounters seem able to help him. Some are willing, but too slow (like the sloth!), while others have no interest (like the turtle). Finally, Elephant finds just the right assistant - a bristly porcupine - but that doesn't turn out too well for the porcupine...

An amusing tale from author Jory John is paired with humorous and expressive cartoon-style artwork from illustrator and animator Liz Climo in Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? I had mixed feelings about the ending, which felt a little mean-spirited to me, but otherwise I found this an entertaining picture-book. Recommended to anyone who enjoys children's stories with a somewhat sharp sense of humor, à la Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back. ( )