WHERE COULD ELEPHANT BE HIDING?

Have you ever played hide-and-seek with an elephant before? A boy is doing just that, but it seems the large animal is nowhere to be found. Can you see the elephant blending into the pages as the beautiful colors and illustrations try to fool your eyes? Will the boy find elephant in the end? 

Have You Seen Elephant? written and illustrated by David Barrow has beautiful and colorful illustrations, and is perfect for readers who enjoy silly stories and fun games.  

A great read aloud for children ages 2 and up.  

WHEN ELEPHANT MET GIRAFFE

When Elephant visits the water hole, he is excited to hang out and have a conversation with Giraffe.  But Giraffe never responds. Uncertain of his behavior, Elephant decides to read a book about giraffes.  As a result of his patience and curiosity, Elephant comes to understand why Giraffe doesn't say a word. 

In a series of episodes, Paul Gude's lovely picture book vibrantly illustrates how friends can still be friends even though there may be distinct differences between them.  

For all ages.

LAST YEAR'S 2013 NEWBERRY WINNER - A TALE TO REMEMBER

A circus owner adopts a young gorilla named Ivan as his house pet.  The owner dresses him, takes him shopping, and talks to him like one would talk to any member of the family.  Ivan grows up to be mellow, taking life as it comes.  Unfortunately, when Ivan becomes a large adolescent gorilla, he must move from his warm and cozy home into a cold and isolated glass cage at the circus.  Over the years, he gets to know other circus animals and finds comfort in their company.  All the animals, however, agree that there must be a better life outside of the circus.  When one of the main attraction animals falls fatally ill, Ivan masterfully thinks of a way to protect the animals, especially, the youngest one. 

Katherine Applegate, author of Home of the Brave, Animorphs, and Roscoe Riley series, writes a poignant and endearing tale about a gorilla whose heart matches its size.  Inspired by the real Ivan, this story is narrated in first person and will speak to any reader who values friendship, questions purpose, or loves animals. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is the 2013 Newbery Award Winner.  Available in book and audio CD format.



2013 NEWBERY AWARD WINNER

A review by Theresa from the Children's Room: 

“I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It’s not as easy as it looks.” So begins Katherine Applegate’s THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN this year’s winner of the Newbery Medal for excellence in children’s literature. Ivan has been the main attraction at the Exit 8 for 27 years. For the most part he has been comfortable with his TV, friends Stella the elephant, Bob the dog and his human friend Julia the child of one of the janitors at the mall. Life in a cage is his reality as freedom and the lush green of the jungle are simply dusty memories. His days spent with friends and painting his pictures is not so bad. But all that changes when a new baby elephant, Ruby, joins the troop and his friend Stella gets sick, causing him to realize what prisons their cages are. Wanting to help Ruby avoid Stella’s fate, Ivan promises to save her in this story inspired by that of a gorilla in similar circumstances who was ultimately adopted by Zoo Atlanta. 

A lovely though bittersweet tale of friendship and loyalty that is good for readers in grades 5-8.

ELEPHANTS HAVE FEELINGS TOO

AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN by Michael Morpurgo sounds like a picture book for young children. In fact, it is a story that takes place in World War II Germany about a mother and her two children. the mother works at the local zoo in Dresden, and everyone is worried about what will happen to the animals if the city is bombed. So, the mother brings the elephant home from work every day. The children become great friends with the elephant, and the story follows them through dangerous and suspenseful situations. All with an elephant by their side. For grades 4 and up.

THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD

The zoo is a noisy place - during the day that is. But when this nocturnal bird becomes the zoo's latest edition, he must conform to their night-napping ways or be kept awake all day! Will any animals get any sleep ever again? THE BABY BEEBEE BIRD by Diane Redfield Massie is a hilarious NOISY story to read aloud to big groups or small, and definitely loved by kids from age 2-10.

ELEPHANTS = BIG STORIES

Rosie one of the elephants at the Los Angeles County Zoo is retiring and if you have been interested in following in her story, then the story of Moduc, the greatest elephant that ever lived according to author Ralph Helfer, is the right story for you.

Both of these titles, Mosey, The Remarkable Friendship of a Boy and His Elephant and The World's Greatest Elephant both by Ralph Helfer, are based on the true story of a boy and his elephant. Born on the same day in Germany they develop an unusual bond that makes them inseparable and leads the pair on many thrilling adventures.

Mosey is just right for readers in grades 4 and older and The World Greatest Elephant is for readers in grades 3 and older.