Faithful Elephants

Faithful Elephants
Author: Yukio Tsuchiya
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2015-07-28
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 054457589X

This beautifully illustrated children’s book offers a sobering lesson about the horrors of war through the lens of a Japanese zoo during WWII. At Tokyo’s famous Ueno Zoo, a zookeeper recounts the story of three performing elephants—John, Tonky, and Wanly—who became casualties of the Second World War. As bombs fell nightly on the city, the zoo was in danger of destruction. In the interest of public safety, instructions were given to kill the potentially dangerous animals. Still, the elephant’s keepers wept and prayed that the war would end so that their beloved elephants might be saved. Originally published in Japan in 1951, this heartbreaking historical tale is now available in English with beautiful watercolor illustrations by Ted Lewin.

Animal's People

Animal's People
Author: Indra Sinha
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 402
Release: 2009-03-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 141657879X

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, "Animal's People" is by turns a profane, scathingly funny, and piercingly honest tale of a boy so badly damaged by the poisons released during a chemical plant leak that he walks on all fours.

The Zookeeper's Wife

The Zookeeper's Wife
Author: Diane Ackerman
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2007-08-28
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780393061727

A true story--as powerful as "Schindler's List"--in which the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands.

Flying Changes

Flying Changes
Author: Sara Gruen
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 402
Release: 2009-10-13
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0061829978

The New York Times–bestselling author of Water for Elephants “writes with passionate precision about horses and their humans and the healing power of love” (Maryanne Stahl, author of Forgive the Moon). There is a time to move on, a time to let go . . . and a time to fly. Anxiety rules Annemarie Zimmer’s days—the fear that her relationship with the man she loves is growing stagnant; the fear that equestrian daughter Eva’s dreams of Olympic glory will carry her far away from her mother . . . and into harm’s way. For five months, Annemarie has struggled to make peace with her past. But if she cannot let go, the personal battles she has won and the heights she has achieved will have all been for naught. It is a time of change at Maple Brook Horse Farm, when loves must be confronted head-on and fears must be saddled and broken. But it is an unanticipated tragedy that will most drastically alter the fragile world of one remarkable family—even as it flings open gates that have long confined them, enabling them all to finally ride headlong and free. “Flying Changes reminds me how unpredictable life is . . . Even if you are horseless (my deepest sympathies), you will love this novel” —Rita Mae Brown, New York Times–bestselling author of Rubyfruit Jungle

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass
Author: Meg Wiviott
Publisher: Kar-Ben Publishing
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0822599759

In 1938 Berlin, Germany, a cat sees Rosenstrasse change from a peaceful neighborhood of Jews and Gentiles to an unfriendly place where, one November night, men in brown shirts destroy Jewish-owned businesses and arrest or kill Jewish people. Includes facts about Kristallnacht and a list of related books and web resources.

Tarra & Bella

Tarra & Bella
Author: Carol Buckley
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2009-09-08
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 069815374X

A friendship unlike any other! After retiring from the circus, Tarra became the first resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. When other elephants moved in and developed close friendships, only Tarra remained alone—until the day she met a stray mixed-breed dog named Bella. From then on, the two were inseparable. Color photographs of Tarra and Bella at home in the Elephant Sanctuary deftly illustrate this inspiring story of inter-species companionship.

Elephant Company

Elephant Company
Author: Vicki Croke
Publisher:
Total Pages: 369
Release: 2014
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1400069335

"At the onset of World War II, [Billy] Williams formed Elephant Company and was instrumental in defeating the Japanese in Burma and saving refugees, including on his own 'Hannibal Trek, ' [becoming] a media sensation during the war, telling reporters that the elephants did more for him than he was ever able to do for them"--

Horton Hatches the Egg

Horton Hatches the Egg
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
Total Pages: 59
Release: 2018-03-08
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0008202524

Horton the elephant babysits an egg in this classic tale of kindness from Dr. Seuss. Enjoy this heartwarming story anytime, anywhere. With audio brilliantly read by actress and comedian Miranda Richardson.

The Eight-Year-Old Legend Book

The Eight-Year-Old Legend Book
Author: Isabel Wyatt
Publisher: Floris Books
Total Pages: 108
Release: 2020-04-30
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1782506969

This collection of stories is based upon tales told by the Buddha to his monks 2500 years ago. Isabel Wyatt’s enchanting retelling conjures up a rich world of eastern legend, ruled by courtly kings and wise men, and populated by brave princes, faithful elephants and cunning monkeys. The stories tell of great adventures and heroes, of danger and courage, and most importantly of how wisdom and thoughtfulness always triumph over selfishness and greed. This anthology was compiled with children around the age of eight in mind -- children who are embarking on more and more adventures in their own lives, and themselves learning to become clever and brave.

Meet Miss Fancy

Meet Miss Fancy
Author: Irene Latham
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 19
Release: 2019-01-08
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0399546693

A charming and significant story set prior to the Civil Rights Movement about a boy who finds a way to challenge segregation laws. Frank has always been obsessed with elephants. He loves their hosepipe trunks, tree stump feet, and swish-swish tails. So when Miss Fancy, the elephant, retires from the circus and moves two blocks from his house to Avondale Park, he's over the moon! Frank really wants to pet her. But Avondale Park is just for white people, so Frank is not allowed to see Miss Fancy. Frank is heartbroken but he doesn't give up: instead he makes a plan! Frank writes to the City Council so his church can host a picnic in the park, and he can finally meet Miss Fancy. All of his neighbors sign the letter, but when some protest, the picnic is cancelled and Frank is heartbroken all over again. Then Miss Fancy escapes the zoo, and it's up to Frank to find her before she gets hurt.