Elephants

Books and Web Sites

Crossingham, John. What is an elephant? / John Crossingham, Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, Ont. : Crabtree, 2002. [Science of Living Things] 0865059896 (bound) Ages 6-12

Filled with interesting facts. For example, did you know that manatees and elephants are related or that an elephant get six sets of molars in its lifetime? Shows the elephant family tree. Lengthy discussion of elephant physical characteristics. Also covers such topics as communication, social life, habitat, life cycle, and Asian/African elephant differences. Mentions that young elephant may continue to drink milk for up to ten years. Has good photographs and simple book design as well as a glossary and an index.

Darling, Kathy. The Elephant Hospital / by Kathy Darling ; photographs by Tara Darling. Brookfield, Conn. : Millbrook Press, c2002. 0761317236 (lib. bdg.) Ages 9-12

Describes the work of the Friends of the Asian Elephant's Elephant Hospital in Thailand that treats sick, injured, and mistreated Asian elephants. Excellent photographs and engrossing story of elephant medical treatment. Includes an index.

Echart, Edana. African elephant / by Edana Eckart. New York : Children's Press, c2003. [Animals of the world][Welcome Books] 0516243012 (lib. bdg.) Ages 4-8.

African Elephants is a great book for young readers. It covers basic characteristics and habits. For example, "African Elephants travel in groups. A group of elephants is called a herd." (p.18) There are about two sentences in large text on each left hand page with a good quality photo on the right page. New words are listed in a glossary and are in bold font in the text. There is also a short list of other resources (print and web) and an index.

Holmes, Kevin. Elephants / by Kevin J. Holmes ; consultant, Glenn Goodman. Mankato, Minn. : Bridgestone Books, c2000. 0736804951 [Animals (Mankato, Minn.)] Ages 4-8

Text heavy ELEPHANTS has lots of information! There are three or four paragraphs on each subject covered. Starts with "Fast Facts" to grab the reader's attention. Photos are of good quality and some are labeled. Details differences between Asian and African Elephants, food, habitat, life cycle, herds, etc. There is an activity suggested, a glossary, additional resource lists, and an index.

Jenkins, Martin. Grandma elephant's in charge / Martin Jenkins ; illustrated by Ivan Bates. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2003. 0763620742 (alk. paper) Ages 4-8.

I love this book. Told as a story, GRANDMA ELEPHANT'S IN CHARGE emphasizes the elephant social structure and it also packs in a lot of zoological information about elephant characteristics and habitat. Two fonts are used to distinguish the main story from the labels or added information. The illustrations are warm blue and earth tone paintings. There is an additional paragraph "About Elephants" at the end of the book as well as an index.

Johnson, Jinny. Elephant / Jinny Johnson. Milwaukee, Wis. : G. Stevens, 2001. 0836829239 (lib. bdg.) Ages 4-8.

Nicely designed and written look at a baby Asian elephant named Noorie. Illustrations are photos of Noorie in a simple, painted background. The text is large and each two page spread has about two to four sentences. For example, "Look at Noorie's long trunk. She uses it to drink. Noorie sucks water into her trunk. Then she squirts the water into her mouth." There is an additional paragraph called "More about Elephants" at the back of the book.

Kulling, Monica. Elephants : life in the wild / by Monica Kulling ; illustrated by Michael Maydak. New York : Golden Books Pub. Co., c2000. [Road to reading. Mile 3, Reading on your own] Ages 4-8.

Introduces both Asian and African Elephants and details the differences. Illustrations are soft-colored paintings that look like the mattes in the back of animal exhibits at zoos or museums. One interesting painting shows an elephant on its hind legs reaching higher than a giraffe. Includes some new vocabulary in the context of the story. For example, "Elephants are plant eaters, or herbivores. They eat grass, leaves, and tree bark."

Lantier, Patricia. The wonder of elephants / by Patricia Lantier and Anthony D. Fredericks ; illustrations by John F. McGee. Milwaukee, WI : Gareth Stevens Pub., 2001. [Animal Wonders] 0836827643 (lib. bdg.) Ages 4-8.

Clear-writing, details, many interesting elephant facts. For example, "Although elephants are very large, they are able to run short distances as fast as a galloping house." Book design is varied and appealing yet non-cluttered and clean looking. There are excellent photos and some illustrations. There is a glossary and an index.

Markert, Jenny. Elephants / by Jenny Markert. Chanhassen, Minn. : Child's World, 2001. Ages 8-12. 156766878X

Simple book design, good quality photographs, and well written. Covers the basics of habitat, African/Asian, characteristics, trunks, etc. Includes some interesting elephant facts. For example, elephants can't jump. There is a glossary, web site list, and index.

Whitehouse, Patricia. Elephant / Patricia Whitehouse. Chicago, Ill. : Heinemann Library, c2003. [Zoo Animals, Read and Learn] Ages 4-8. 158810897X

Intro to Asian and African elephants that compares zoo animals with those in the wild. Colorful book design with excellent, photos (some labeled). Asks and answers questions such as "Where do elephants live?" and "What do elephants eat?" Did you know, "Elephants take care of each other. They work to keep the herd safe." There is a quiz, picture glossary, index, and note to parents and teachers that supplies some additional information.

Web Sites

Elephant Information Repository

Kids Planet's African Elephant Fact Sheet

National Geographic's African Elephant Creature Feature

National Zoo's Elephant Facts

PBS's The Elephants of Africa