The Elephants Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship

 

Winner of the Keystone to Reading Award!

Winner of the Norman A. Sugarman Honor!

Nominated for the2023-2024  California Young Readers Award!

Nominated for the 2024 Beehive Award!

Nominated for the 2024 Nutmeg Award!

The Elephants Come Home (ISBN: 978-1452127835) is the amazing true story of a herd of elephants, the man who saved them, and the miracle of love that brought them home.

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One day in 1999, Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby Anthony receive word that a herd of wild African elephants need a new home. They welcome the elephants to their wildlife sanctuary—Thula Thula—with open arms. But the elephants are much less sure they want to stay. How will Lawrence prove to them that they are safe and loved? What follows is a gorgeously illustrated real-life story of friendship . . . and the story of the miraculous way that love given freely will return—greater and more wonderful than it began.

Critical Praise:

“[A] moving true story. . . (Have tissues handy.) [The Elephants Come Home’s] flawless, gentle pacing [and] pages with saturated, eye-catching teal, copper, and emerald hues. . . . heighten the story’s emotional impact. . .”—The Horn Book Magazine

“In brief action-packed sentences, Tomsic informs readers of all the steps taken to bring [the elephants] back, with the text placed against Hooper’s beautifully realized illustrations of African animals and the vast, gorgeous landscape…with its focus on the elephants and the protagonists, this book is lovely, tender, and moving.”       —Kirkus Reviews

 This touching true story portrays conservationist Lawrence Anthony’s relationship with a frightened, hunted herd that found a home at his reserve in South Africa, Thula Thula..The importance of conservation shines through the friendship story here, and both themes are beautifully complemented by Hooper’s detailed, atmospheric drawings of the elephants and their surroundings.”—Booklist

“The illustrations are expansive with a limited color palette of warm oranges and cool greens and blues. The animal characters are dynamic, humorous, and emotive. . . . A sentimental but high-­interest story based on true events of the bond between wild animals and the humans who care for them, suitable for early elementary students.”         —School Library Journal

Copies are available at Changing Hands Bookstore

• TOUCHING ANIMAL FRIENDSHIPS: Owen and Mzee, Tarra and Bella, Rescue and Jessica . . . touching true stories of the emotional bonds possible between species are charming, and speak to the limitlessness of love.
• ELEPHANTS: Elephants are one of the most fascinating and charming wild animals in all of nature. This heartwarming true story will intrigue & inspire children, turning the most reluctant readers into elephant enthusiasts.
• CONSERVATION THEME: This book tells the true story of caring for one of the world's most beloved endangered animals: the African elephant. This book is a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance of preserving endangered species and their environments.
• ENGAGING NONFICTION: There's no better way to get readers hooked on factual books than to offer them real-life stories with heart and meaning.
• STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K–2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like conservation and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators.

Perfect for ages 4-9:
• Kindergarten and elementary school teachers           Lovers of animals, wildlife, and the natural world
• Parents and grandparents                                         Zoo and natural history museumgoers
• Librarians                                                                  Parents and Kids of all ages

Confessions from a First Grade Class: What Kids Want to Read in 2016

This week in first grade, my nephew learned about author/poet Tomás Rivera and how much he loved books. The homework assignment that followed read: write at least three sentences telling what kind of books you like to read and why.

I love my brilliant nephew's clever answers:

1. I like the action in Batman books.
2. I am a ninja that is why I like ninja books (well, duh, of course he's a ninja. That's why he loves NINJA NINJA NEVER STOP by Todd Tuell)
3. I like family books because I spend time with my family. (I love this answer, because YES! That's the power of a great book--it can bring families together. His family currently spends evening time together, listening to Mom read Harry Potter)

Look at the other great answers from students in his class:

I like to read nonfiction books because they teach about real life. They teach us about wild stuff. When I read nonfiction books I get really excited. (Okay, I love this kid, whoever he or she may be! Hooray for nonfiction and excitement. You should definitely pick up a Kate Messner book!) 

"I like to read books about Pokemon because it tells me how they evolve. I like learning."

"I like reading books about princesses. I love the dresses they wear."

"I like to read books by Dr. Deuss because they help me learn how to read. My favorite is Green Eggs and Ham." (yep, good old  Dr. Deuss) 

"I like to read princess books. All the girls are pretty! I like to read about horses. They are my favorite animal. I like to read about dogs. They are fun to play with."

"I like ballet books because they are pretty. I also like adventure books because they have a lot of action in them. I like Hello Kitty books because they are fun." (I want to hang out with this kid--who doesn't like a pretty ballet centered around action and adventure (maybe a ninja or two), and yeah, let's throw in a cat, because they are fun. I want to read that book, too!)

"I like Cat in the Hat books because they are goofy. My favorite is Fox in the Box." 

 

Cowboy Up! by Nancy Bo Flood reviewed by Kim Tomsic

COWBOY UP! (Boyd Mills Press, 2013) by Nancy BoFlood is crafted with a delightful mixture of verse and prose. Flood’s writing grabs the reader by the hand and invites him or her into the unique world of the rodeo—a rich experience from anticipation at practice to the thrill of competition. It’s like she plunks the reader right in the saddle alongside each rodeo competitor from wooly rider to bull wrangler. Every page turn is packed with excited urgency, honest nervousness, and sometimes glory. The verse sections allow readers to practically taste the dust and feel the rope burn, while the prose unveil the mystery behind how rodeos work.  

COWBOY UP! is an original approach to making the rodeo fascinating and accessible to all. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never participated in mutton busting or seen a Brahma bull--you’ll feel like an insider after reading this book. 

Loved by School Library Journal and  Kirkus Review, too! 

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9781590788936
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
• Publication date: 3/1/2013
• Pages: 48
• Age range: 8 - 12 Years

The Long Awaited Pulitzer Winner in Fiction

Pulitzer Prize Winners 2013

The act of not naming a Pulitzer winner in the fiction category caused a bit a drama last year. There's nothing like discussing the great Pulitzer novel to get book buzz flowing and cash registers ringing, but 2012 saw none of that glory. Book sellers were upset, independent bookstore owners were disappointed, and authors were...hmmm, disheartened. But the woes of 2012 are finally behind us, because 2013 has a winner, and his name was announced today:

FICTION – winner is Adam Johnson for THE ORPHAN MASTER’SSON

NONFICTION – by Gilbert King -DEVIL IN THE GROVE:  Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America

HISTORY-winner Fredrik Logevall for EMBERS OF WAR

BIOGRAPHY – Tom Reiss wins for  BLACK COUNT

POETRY – Sharon Olds wins for STAG’S LEAP