Last summer, the Sibert Honor–winning duo Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy Rodwell witnessed the birth—and growth—of a baby elephant. In this intimate account for preschool through elementary readers, find answers to questions such as: What do newborn elephants look like? How big are they? What threatens them in the wild? Do they bully each other? Are they stalked by lions? What happens if they don't get enough food or water? Are they at risk of extinction?
With irresistible photographs and a text that places the reader in the wonder of the savannah, this is a book to treasure for all animal lovers.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Our daughter loves this book!
By Kayley
We received "A Baby Elephant in the Wild," as a gift from a friend for our 4-year-old daughter and she immediately fell in love with the main character, baby Liza. Written by long-time elephant researcher Caitlin O'Connell, the book gives children a first-hand look at how elephants really live, their day-to-day habits and even the dangers they face, all in language that is easy to understand. The charming photographs of Liza taking a bath, learning to use the 40,000 muscles in her trunk and even being rescued from the watering hole by her maternal grandmother add valuable richness to the reading experience. We would recommend this book for any young child as it is both entertaining and educational.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.A Delight to Share with a Child
By Phillip Peterson
What a treat for grandparents to come across a children’s book that is fun to read to a child and at the same time a learning experience. Caitlin O’Connell’s beautiful little book offers just such an experience. Illustrated throughout with the gorgeous photography of the author and her husband, Timothy Rodwell, it takes the reader along on safari to the wilds of Namibia and into the midst of an elephant family. O’Connell has been studying elephants in this venue for more than twenty years, and this latest of her publications was sparked by witnessing the birth of an elephant and then following the newborn, dubbed Liza, during the first phase of her life. We see her sheltered and nourished by her mother, protected and assisted by siblings, cousins and even a grandmother. We are delighted by her romping in water and mud for the first time We learn how complicated it is for her to learn the many ways to use her trunk. Not only the relationships within her family must be learned, but the dynamics and ranking of other families, at times a precarious balance in the perpetual quest for food and water in a challenging environment. This brief glimpse into the elephant world will delight the adult and child reader alike. It conveys without sentimentality but with genuine authenticity the complex, lifelong bonds which characterize elephant society and the very real dangers that threaten their very survival.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.Dancing baby elephants in the wild!
By L. Bohannan
Though I don't have any young children I was given this book as a gift due to my love of all things elephant and my proximity to many children. I have had the joy of sharing it with the children and, like me, they really loved the spectacular photos of this baby elephant, Liza, and her family. The pictures perfectly capture that baby-style exuberance for life. Baby Liza dances across the pages - and these are in-the-wild photos, not from zoos or drawings of dancing elephants. I swear the pictures are so sweet and endearing that it is easy for anyone to find themselves making those little "awwwww" sounds. My baby friend and I talked about all the things we have in common with the baby elephant - taking a bath, practicing how to say hello, mommies protecting their babies. There was also stuff for the older sibling- who was half listening in to our story time - pictures of the bottom of elephant feet (which look a lot like mine in the summer) and a map of Africa showing where elephants live. The youthful exuberance caught in the pictures of baby Liza - this elephant nearly dances off the page. In these times when elephants are so endangered, sharing with the next generation all of the simple joys of elephant life is so important, and this book is a stunning example of how best to share nature with children. But don't wait til you have kids around - this book is so beautiful anyone could have it for these beautiful photos.
