Mini and Milo: Elephants Can't Jump
The perfect book to share to talk about communication. The Mini and Milo stories are designed for both parent and teacher led discussion, and also as humorous, heart-warming stories to be enjoyed again and again
When Mini’s friend Milo gives her a trampoline for her birthday Mini is upset. She even stops speaking to Milo. Milo has no idea what is wrong – how could he? Mini realises that talking about a problem is much easier than running from it.
Mini and Milo are endearing, charming and relatable and together they learn to deal with life’s big and small problems … building resilience and insight through trial and error and friendship. Written with heart and humour by family dispute specialist, mindset coach and mum, Venita Dimos, and brilliantly illustrated by Natashia Curtin, Mini and Milo will become your best friends too!
Creators
Venita Dimos is an experienced lawyer, mediator and coach. For over 20 years she has helped thousands of people solve complex problems and navigate difficult times in their lives.
As a mother of three daughters, she is passionate about empowering children with the skills and resilience to navigate the inevitable curveballs that life throws at them. Venita’s books explore key life skills in a fun, humorous and imaginative way. Her Mini & Milo series has been driven by the importance of teaching children emotional and social intelligence early on, so they arrive into adulthood armed with skills that support their future success and happiness.
Venita lives in Melbourne with her daughters. She is an outright optimist, loves heartfelt conversations and has a penchant for all things chocolate. Visit her online at venitadimos.com and Instagram @venitadimos @bigskillsforminipeople
Natashia (pronounced Na-tar-sha) Curtin grew up in a Yolngu township in the Northern Territory, and completed high school while living in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. She always had her nose in a book, or was drawing pictures - because computer games weren’t invented yet, and it was stinky hot outside. She moved to Melbourne in the 90s to study graphic design and learned how to live in a big city. While working as a graphic designer, Natashia met and married a lovely man, and they had two boys (who don’t draw, because computer games were invented). She likes boogie-boarding, listening to music and hanging with friends. She promised to barrack for Collingwood in her wedding vows. She hates rockmelon, rap music and bad paragraph spacing. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook or at natashiacurtin.com.
Reviews
The Teeny-Tiny Voice is the first in a brilliant new series for children about emotional and social intelligence. I especially liked the way Mini’s voice was shown as a smaller, kind of invisible version of Mini herself, just a line drawing, while the real Mini and Milo and other elements of the story were in full colour. I loved The Teeny-Tiny Voice, and look forward to reading more of Mini and Milo. – Kids Book Review
Kids Book Review
These books allow people of all ages to process their feelings, because there will always be times we all need to work out what we are feeling, and children’s books can be a safe and judgement-free way and place to do this, and the simplicity can really help readers find out how to talk about what they are feeling.
Ashleigh Meikle
Appealing animal characters paired with stories about important life skills makes the Mini & Milo series pitch perfect. They’re a great prompt for discussion, but can also be read for pure enjoyment.
Kids Book Review
The charming, delicate digital color illustrations fully evoke the animal characters’ expressive personalities. Elephants may not be able to jump, but this one can and will tug heartstrings and generate empathy.
Kirkus Review
