Whenever I read those Proust questionnaire-type interviews, I always get lost in reverie, answering the questions myself. The New York Times Book Review has one each week, and one of the questions is, “Who is your favorite hero of literature?” I have spent a fair amount of time mulling that one. Cool, clear-eyed Holden Caulfield? Kind-hearted, optimistic Anne Shirley? Atticus Finch? Jo March? Then the answer came to me, so true that it settles the question for me forever.

My favorite hero of literature is Horton the Elephant.

He’s so good! So true to what is right. So selfless. So brave. He defends the small and weak, and stands by his commitments. And what challenges he must face! Snowstorms, seasickness, hunters, jeering kangaroos, and those horrible Wickersham brothers.

He never wavers in his loyalty. He never sinks to answering taunts with his own, or using his considerable girth in his favor. He relies on reason and appeals to his tormenters’ slim sense of decency.

And he succeeds! Not because it is logical that he succeeds, but because he deserves to. Because even Dr. Suess cannot bear for him not to. “And it should be—it should be—it should be like that.” I’ve read Horton Hatches the Egg approximately thirty-five thousand times, and my voice cracks on that line every single time. Because I agree! It should be like that! I want a world where Horton, large and clumsy and kind and faithful, succeeds. Where honor is rewarded. Where speaking up for the little guy works. As I see around me sour kangaroos and bullying baboons, from the playground all the way to the presidential race, I long for the strength and tenacity of Horton. He inspires me to trust what I know even when others mock it, to stand up for others, and to do the hard work to honor my commitments and my values.

Katharine Manning is a middle grade writer whose chosen superpower would be the ability to write rhyming picture books. You can see her middle grade book recommendations at Kid Book List. You can also find her at www.katharinemanning.com and on Twitter.