Book Description

Meet Merwin, a lovable elephant who is also a master of disguise!Merwin lives in a wild animal park. While the other animals are content to liearound and graze, Merwin is eagerly watching every person who enters the park-hecollects every pair of lost sunglasses, every misplaced cap, every forgottenjacket. Armed with this amazing stash of disguises, Merwin has become a pro atsneaking out of the park incognito to visit the mall or see a movie.One day Merwin slips out in disguise, just minutes before an inspection of thepark. The park ranger, fearful for his job should Merwin's escape be discovered,tears off after him. And so the chase begins, with Merwin slipping in and out ofhilarious disguises as the frantic park ranger follows close behind!Christopher Hart's first-ever picture book is a comical, fast-paced adventuretold with simple text and illustrated in his much-loved cartoon style. Merwin isbrought to full-color life with humor and heart, a hero every reader will love. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

very funny!
I read this book to my 4 year old and she loved it! She got a real kick out of the fact that none of the adults could see through Merwin's disguises when it was so obvious to her who he was. The humor is very silly and perfect for that age group. ... Read more

Book Description

A nose like a hose has its highs and its lows....First-time author-illustrator Jenny Samuels has created an irresistible picture book full of playful language and fanciful illustrations. Little elephant has a nose that is always on show! And he flaunts it by decorating it with bows and by waving it around for lots of hellos! But the best thing about his nose (we suppose) is that it's so cozy when he wants to doze! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What can you do with a nose like a hose?
What can you do with a nose like a hose? You can decorate it with bows and other moves, or read all about it in this fun picturebook story which pairs a rollicking rhyme with an elephant's dilemma, and ends with an unexpected celebration of a hose nose's benefits. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

The sometimes sad, always fascinating true story of Jumbo the Elephant, star of Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth. Follows Jumbo's life, from his capture in Africa through his years in the Paris and London zoos to his days with
P. T. Barnum--where he drew the greatest crowds in circus history. Also touched on is the plight of the elephant as an endangered species, and those steps taken to help ensure elephants' survival in the wild and protection from mistreatment in captivity.
... Read more

Book Description

"Travels With Tarra is a heartwarming look at the life of one captive elephant and her devoted human caretaker, who realizes that Tarra's needs as an elephant are more important than anything else in their life together. All captive elephants should be as lucky as Tarra is now." -Richard Farinato, Director, Captive Wildlife Protection, Humane Society of the United States

What happens when you fall in love with a three-foot-tall, 700-pound infant covered with thick black hair?

Carol Buckley was a college student, studying exotic animal care, when she looked up from her homework one day to see a baby elephant walking past her house. The local tire dealer had bought the tiny elephant as a promotion gimmick for his store and was taking her for a stroll. Carol quickly volunteered to help care for and train Tarra, tried to meet the baby elephant’s emotional and social needs, and ended up buying her.

Tarra was bright, playful, and loved attention, so Carol taught her to do lots of tricks (including rollerskating and the hula), and for about twenty years they appeared at circuses, theme parks, and zoos, changing their lifestyle as Tarra’s needs changed and balancing the performing life with time at their farm.

But Carol began to dream of a place where elephants could just be elephants, where abused elephants could find a haven, and where old elephants could live out their days peacefully. She established The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, an 800-acre refuge now home to Tarra and five other elephants, with room for many more. A place just for elephants—no visitors—The Elephant Sanctuary has been featured on the award-winning PBS Nature documentary "Urban Elephants." Carol Buckley and Scott Blais were named "Heroes of the Planet" by Time Magazine for their work at The Sanctuary. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Touching story of a gentle soul
I purchased this book because I admire Carol Buckley's work at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. For several years, I watched the heroine of this book, the Asian elephant Tarra, on the Sanctuary's website "Elecam," which records the elephants movements during the day. I vicariously fell in love with Tarra from watching her daily movements and was determined to learn more about her past life. This book provided me with a loving history of Tarra, how Carol came to meet her as a baby, purchased her and eventually take her around performing for the next 15 years.

But Carol Buckley had a conscience and a heart. She realized that Tarra was sick and tired of her life as a captive circus elephant. Even though Tarra was treated better than 99.9% of other circus animals, she still grew bored and frustrated with a life pleasing humans and living isolated from others of her own kind. The black and white photos of Tarra with Carol show her life as a performer. Finally, Carol was able to do something few of us are able to achieve: she was able to live her dream by creating a Sanctuary for abused, homeless and unwanted Asian elephants (soon to include African elephants as well). Tarra was the first inhabitant of the Sanctuary, and she was soon joined by others. The book also documents Tarra's happy new life in the company of other female Asian elephants.

This is a heartwarming, true story of Tarra and Carol. For anyone who loves elephants and is a compassionate soul, this is the book for you. Hopefully other needy elephants will someday get the opportunity of living in Hohenwald and getting to know both Tarra and Carol. Great book!

A dream came true
Carol Buckley made her dream come true, a retirement for her elephant Tarra and a sanctuary for elephants on a farm in Tenesse.

Carol and Tarra was in showbusiness together for 20 years but Carol started to question what they did, and what she did to Tara. Having earned more money than she could use, she settled down on a farm in Tenessee, and established one of the few captive elephant sanctuaries in the world. Soon more elephants came to join, ...

An Fine Elephant Tale
TRAVELS WITH TARRA is an enchanting, black & white book about one woman's lifelong friendship with a captive Asian elephant, brought to America as a baby to be a promotional gimmick for a tire dealership, back when that could still be done.

It is plain & simple reading, with a delightful tale to be told, of an affectionate & adventurous young woman & a bright & willing elephant.

A heartwarming read, filled with photos of those magnificent animals &, as Carol tells Tarra's story, we also get to see the ages of that quietly brave & dedicated young woman.

TRAVELS WITH TARRA is a unique book, to treasure always. ... Read more

Book Description

Poor Otto. All he wants to do is fit in with the rest of the elephants in the school yard, but all the herd wants to do is make fun of his trunk. And try as he may, Otto can't find any way to improve his appearance. It seems as though he'll be picked on forever. That is, until one Friday morning, when everything changes. . . .

This inspired picture book from acclaimed author and artist Sandy Turner brings a distinctive wit and charm to a classic concept. otto's trunk is a story for everyone who feels like they don't fit in,and about finding the sometimes hidden qualities that make each of us -- even the elephants -- unique and special.

Reviews (1)

Is this book really talking about his TRUNK???
I am not sure what to make of the book... the little boy wants a bigger you-know-what... TRUNK, but this books reminds me of the references to natural male enhancement that litter TV and email junk mail ads. Is there a bigger message? The mom has a beauty mark and wears too much make-up... when Otto complains he is too "teeny weenie" and says he wants one as big as daddy, the mom holds her hooves over her eyes and says "No, No, No!!!" Am I misinterpreting??? ... Read more

Book Description

A children's picture book whose story and effervescent illustrations capture Saratoga's spirit and the pleasure in sharing that spirit with friends.

Bella the elephant is hot and bored when a letter arrives from her friend Lily Duck in Saratoga Springs, New York. "Dearest Bella," it says, "Everything is nice and green here, but I'm blue without you! Why don't you come for a visit?"

Bella's boredom is quickly forgotten as the two friends share an adventure in fun-filled Saratoga. From Congress Park to SPAC and from Saratoga Lake to Broadway, they enjoy their best summer ever--capped off with Bella's wild ride on Mayzie the Thoroughbred at the Saratoga Race Course. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

wonderful children's book
What a sweet story, with gorgeous illustrations. The author has a keen sense of what keeps a child's attention. I highly recommend it, even if you don't summer in Saratoga!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Daddy, Tony says, I need a pet. But Tony's idea of the perfect pet is a little unusual. An elephant? A twenty-foot python? Father and son simply can't agreeuntil Tony comes up with a choice that's just right. Jake Wolf's sunny, funny story and Marylin Hafner's expressive illustrations make this book perfect for father-son sharing.The dialogue between Tony and his father has the rhythms of a two-man comedy routineA riot.-- Kirkus ReviewsJake Wolf lives in New York City. Marylin Hafner lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the true story of a boy and an elephant who were born at almost the same moment on a German farm in 1896. They were raised together like siblings.The boy, Bram, expects to be a trainer when he grows up. But when he is thirteen years old, the animals are sold to an American circus, and Bram stows away on the ship to America carrying Modoc. At sea, when the ship sinks, Modoc saves the lives of Bram and many others, keeping them afloat when they are too exhausted to swim.When help arrives and the ship can¹t hold Modoc, Bram refuses to abandon her, and the two survive nonetheless. ... Read more

Book Description

Little Tiger and Little Elephant are out playing one day when it suddenly starts to rain! No matter where they try to stay dry, Little Elephant is just too big, and both Little Tiger and Little Elephant get soaking wet. Finally, they find the perfect place, where it doesn't matter how wet they are! ... Read more

Book Description

A nonstop action adventure

It's Isabelle to the rescue when her father is mysteriously kidnapped while the two are on a camping trip. Babar's little daughter proves herself to be brave and clever when she tracks down her father with the help of a lion, a snake, and a monkey. The adventure is only just beginning when she finds the elephant king-he's being held in a hidden city by a group of strange elephants with striped ears! How plucky Isabelle manages to help her father escape makes for an action-packed adventure that will keep children on the edge of their seats as much as it did when the book was first released in 1993. ... Read more

Book Description

Elmer the elephant, a colorful character because of his patchwork hide and sense of humor, tries to blend in with the herd, but soon realizes that he's happiest just being himself. "McKee's gentle humor and love of irony are in full force in this celebration of individuality and laughter."--Publisher's Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Absolutely one of the best children's books
If you've never encountered Elmer before, you have to get this book.David McKee has a wonderful sense of humor and these books are just hysterical.Elmer, with a patchwork coat, is the jester in a herd of elephants.But, he starts to feel like the only reason they laugh at his jokes is because of how he looks.So, off he goes to roll in some gray berries to cover up his coat and when he returns to the herd, they just think he's another elephant.Without him, they just stand there, are very serious, and have no fun at all.Somehow, Elmer thinks this is funny and just has to laugh so he says "Boo" and all the elephants jump about a mile.They start laughing and wish Elmer was there to hear the joke when it starts to rain and off comes Elmer's disguise.They all laugh at his wonderful jokes and are very happy he's there.It's just a great book, very colorful and very intriguing to read.My little one just loves Elmer, so much so that I'm going to have to go to B&N and get him a stuffed Elmer and Wilbur!These are great books and are destined to become a classic.

My baby loves this book & is only 6 months old
I have been reading this to my baby since he was 2 months old (now 6 months).It is a bit long for a baby book but he still sits thru and likes hearing the story and looking at the illustrations (surprising considering my little one is antsy).This book has wonderful photos and a good story- mainly about accepting and embracing your differences.Elmer the elephant is patchwork, unlike the others who are grey, and feels like he doesnot belong but by the end he learns that his differences are part of the great thing about him.

One thing that does bother me a bit is that Elmer is the 'class clown' so to say & am not sure if this teaches kids that if they are different they have to be a clown and act up??

But overall I do love this book & am glad it teaches to embrace our differences and that we don't have to conform & to accept people for who they are :)I think this book will continue to capture my child's attention for years to come!

Elmer the Misfit
I love this story because it exemplifies the importance of individuality!This is a wonderful lesson for children to see how everyone is unique.The illustrator did a great job of producing pictures that enhance the text.

Not the same as the library's edition
My daughters and I love this book, but I subtracted a star because it is not quite the same story I expected. We checked it out of the library a couple times, then had to have our own edition. The story and illustrations are slightly changed. My daughters, ages 2 and 4, noticed the changes, and I think the story misses out a little.

For example, the library book starts with a bit booming sound in the jungle and all the animals are startled, but then we find out it's just the herd of the happy elephants who are laughing. The book I just bought begins saying "There was once a herd of elephants," but then it goes on to say that they were happy.Also, this edition does not have the bird who helps Elmer in covering himself with elephant-colored berries. Same story, but some very sweet details are missing.

I don't know why they've shortened the story; maybe they think children cannot stay focused for the longer version. In any case, I will be looking for an older edition, or maybe there's a current book with the same story.

Overall great book, but it has been better.

Elmer, my favorite elephant.
My five year old daughter and I have our favorite time of the day every evening when I am taking her to bed. Then we read, read, read and read. Both picture books and chapter books.
It is important to keep on reading picture books to the kids also when they outgrow the age of a toddler. There are so many great pictures and art in picture books that can help the children widening their horizont.
With four kids in the house we have a huge collection of children's books, and among them some absolute favorites. And Elmer belongs to this group.
Elmer the elephant is different from the other elephants in the jungle. While the others are ordinary grey he has patchwork colors, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, black, white - what a wonderful way to repeat colors over and over for a little human being.
But Elmer doesn't like to be different. He wants to be grey like the rest of the herd. Elmer finds a way to paint himself black, but to his, and to the young reader's surprise nobody recognizes him now when he is just as anybody else. Elmer is used to being seen, and has to do a trick to the others to be seen again. And the ending is in great honor to Elmer, the different one. And he has taught us a wonderful story about the importance of being the one you are meant to be, not to pretend being someone else.
The story has given us great opportunities to talk about the importance of being the one we are. We are created unique and our strength is in keeping this uniqueness.
The story has wonderful, simple paintings, bright colored. My five year old and I have alot of fun making an applique quilt of Elmer and his life. This book is a jewel either you have chidren or not. ... Read more

Book Description

Little Elephant Thunderfoot is only twenty minutes old when he stands up to nurse for this first time. Soon he begins to learn much more about life on the African savannah: where to find food and water, what to do when danger is near, how to use his trunk for splashing playfully in the river. He is taught these things by his grandmother, Wise Old One, who is also leader of the herd. An enormous yet gentle creature, she has roamed the savannah for over fifty years.

One day, however, two loud bangs echo over the landscape and Wise Old One falls to the ground. The other elephants in the herd, unable to rouse her, flee in panic. Yet they return at dawn to cover her body with clumps of grass and to mourn. Now Little Elephant Thunderfoot, his family, and the rest of the herd must learn how to live without their leader and teacher.

Sally Grindley's straightforward, simple text presents a factually accurate picture of elephant life on the African savannah. John Butler's full-color illustrations contribute to the stunning realism of this picture book. Young readers who care about the conservation and protection of elephants will be captivated by this moving account of everyday elephant life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A delightful book with a message for children and adults.
Thunderfoot is a baby elephant who is nurtured by his mother and grandmother, the latter being the matriarch of the herd. He soon learns that his grandmother makes sure the elephants are aware of danger and helps them find food and water. When his grandmother is shot by a poacher the herd runs to safety and he finds that all of them must adapt to losses and carry on. To quote the authors: 'Elephants, the largest land animals, are strong, intelligent, peaceful and fun-loving. The oldest female leads the herd, normally made up of daughters, granddaughters, sisters and their offspring. They all help to look after the youngest elephants. The males grow up within the herd, but leave to live on their own when they are about sixteen years old.' I have noticed that the most tireless workers in any group are the women. They are the ones who nurture, educate and guide the 'elephants' under their care. We males like to trumpet and make a lot of noise, but we do very little compared to our female counterparts. Buy a dozen of this wonderful book and give them to people you appreciate, who work, sometimes without credit given to them, for your comfort and welfare. ... Read more

Book Description

Emily is an ostrich with attitude, and Albert is an unflappable elephant. Whether Emily is curing a cold Albert didn't know he had, teaching him to dance correctly (ballet, of course) or explaining to him how to read the right way (the way that includes her), Albert is always happy to oblige. In five funny, warm and wonderful stories, this irresistible duo will delight readers of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Toddlers and babies can jump into the jungle in this velour covered cloth book featuring bright illustrations and simple rhymes that teach basic concepts.This velour covered soft-cloth book is a perfect cuddly companion for babies and toddlers. The best feature is the adjustable strap extending from the top of the spine – making it perfect to attach to a child’s wrist, stroller, play-yard or car seat!

Packaged in a Polybag with Header Card. Machine washable! ... Read more