School Library Journal
Gr 1-4
Gibbons introduces young readers to these gentle giants. Each page is filled with illustrations and a succinct but informative text that details the habitats, physical characteristics, diet, offspring development, and behavior of these dwellers of Africa's savannas and forests. The author includes the dangers that elephants face not only from natural predators but also from poachers and encroaching human settlements. A few miscellaneous facts are appended. The text is well organized and simple to understand, enhanced by the pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork. A welcome addition to any library's wildlife section.-Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library
Kirkus Reviews
Gibbons's latest is a handy early reference book about the African elephant. Beginning with where elephants are found, the text moves on to look at early ancestors of the elephant and the specific features that make it unique in the animal world: trunk, tusks, thick skin, large ears, poor eyesight and large molars. Much of the narrative focuses on the social nature of elephants-how they live in family groups, raise their young, find food and water and protect themselves. Large titles at the beginning of each new topic and large-print vocabulary words that are defined on the same page make this an easily accessible resource for children. The greens, browns, yellows and grays of the watercolors reflect the African savannah and forest habitats of the elephants. A map and numerous diagrams acquaint readers intimately with their subject. Often full-page illustrations do not convey the full range of information found in the text, so Gibbons employs insets to portray the concepts. A good introduction to the topic. (Informational picture book. 4-8)
From the Publisher
"A welcome addition to any library's wildlife section."
"A good introduction to the topic."
School Library Journal - Audio
K-Gr 2—The sound of trumpeting trunks announces Gail Gibbons's book (Holiday House, 2008) about African elephants. Replete with fascinating facts and authentic sound effects to illustrate elephants breathing, smelling, drinking, communicating, showering, and other daily tasks, the book will amaze children with its details and diagrams. Elephants are described as social animals who are happiest in matriarchal family groups. Females live separate from males, although everyone in a herd protects the calves. Walter Dixon narrates with clarity, reading the informational paragraph first, then the picture captions from top to bottom on each page. Students will find this audiobook ideal for reports or browsing, and will come away with some mind-boggling numbers: "Elephants eat about 300 lbs. (136 kilograms) of food in a day. The female elephant, or cow, gives birth 22 months after mating. Ninety-nine percent of baby elephants are born at night." Page-turn signals are optional. This will be a popular resource for fact-hungry primary grade children.—Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghamton, NY
