Synopses & Reviews
The people of northern Namibia in the African desert refer to Caitlin O'Connell as "the mother of all elephants." In this book, O'Connell juggles several roles while she studies elephant behavior in Namibias Etosha National Park: field scientist, mediator, ecologist, conservationalist and environmentalist. In decoding the patterns of elephant communication, she has aided tremendously in the fight against killing and poaching elephants--in some cases, those which are endangered, like the Asian elephant. Her scientific observations and procedures have also acted to mediate between the farmers of the region and the elephants who eat their yet-to-be harvested crops.
Donna M. Jackson, author of Extreme Scientists and ER Vets captures the most intriguing pieces of Caitlin O'Connell's scientific observations of elephant communication through seismic signals--vibrations they transmit with their feet. Interestingly enough, Caitlin found herself hypothesizing and discovering how elephants "listen with their limbs" through her early observations of how insects communicate through vibrations they cause in the leaves of plants. The text teems with other intriguing facts about these pachyderms (which means "thick skin"). Elephants are nature's largest mammal weighing in at 14,000 pounds. There are 40,000 muscles in an elephant's trunk, which is a multifaceted tool used for many more purposes than just smelling daisies. A hundred year ago, 10 million African elephants roamed the earth; now only 500,000 remain.
Review
In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park, they call her and#8220;the mother of all elephants.and#8221; Holding binoculars closely to her eyes, American scientist Caitlin Oand#8217;Connell could not believe what she was seeing from these African elephants: as the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopped midstride, and stood as still as statues. This observation would guide the scientist to a groundbreaking discovery about elephant communication: elephants actually listen with their limbs. and#160; Praise for the
Scientists in the Field Series "A first rate [series]." and#8211;and#8211;
Horn Book, starred review "Consistently excellent" and#8211;and#8211;
Booklist, starred review, a Top 10 Continuing Series selection: This universally acclaimed series, which follows actual scientists in their daily work from the field to the lab, not only conveys science concepts with precision through engaging narratives and dazzling photographs but also displays the contagious enthusiasm of those who love their work." "Exemplary." and#8211;and#8211;
Kirkus Review, starred review
Extreme Scientists
"While the clearly written text includes vivid passages about the dangers these scientists face, it goes on to discuss what drives them to pursue their subjects and what they have discovered along the way. Each of the three sections concludes with an interview. The many excellent, color photos portray these adventurers as scientists intently focused on their work, though sometimes in unusual or unusually beautiful surroundings . . . Fascinating."--Booklist,starred review
ER Vets
An Orbis Pictus Honor Book
An ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award Honor Winner
"Well-researched and well-written,ER Vetsis an engaging book on a hot topic." -School Library Journal, starred review
Bug Scientists
Winner, Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award
NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children
"The much maligned world of insects becomes fascinating in this latest entry in the excellent Scientists in the Field Series."Booklist, starred review
The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Natureand#160;
"[T]his is an enjoyable, informative volume with well-placed, clear photos that add interest. Offer it to fans of the author's The Bone Detectives (Little, Brown, 1996) and nature enthusiasts, who will appreciate this foray into an intriguing and little-known area of wildlife conservation work." --School Library Journal
"A book that will be welcomed by mystery fans and anyone who cares about animals." --Booklist
Review
“A sweet and sincere offering.”
—Booklist
“Buckleys straightforward text and her empathy-building photos warmly present an indelible image of this unlikely friendship without trying to explain it. It simply is.”
—School Library Journal
"The animals friendship will inspire young readers."
—Publishers Weekly
Review
and#8220;A sweet and sincere offering.and#8221;
and#8212;Booklist
and#8220;Buckleyand#8217;s straightforward text and her empathy-building photos warmly present an indelible image of this unlikely friendship without trying to explain it. It simply is.and#8221;
and#8212;School Library Journal
"The animalsand#8217; friendship will inspire young readers."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly
Review
"This intriguing volume from the Scientists in the Field series will interest readers." --
Booklist "The many color photographs, predominantly from the Namibian field sites, capture the majestic elder elephants, their always-appealing offspring, and the dusty, rugged landscapes in which the scientists and research assistants camp and work."--
Horn Bookand#160; "This amazing presentation is a must-have for all collections." --
School Library Journal, starred review
and#160;
Review
"[O'Connell's] accounts of elephant growth, social behavior, and environmental and human challenges are both detailed enough to satisfy demanding young naturalists and easy for younger readers to understand."
and#8212;Kirkus
"Oand#8217;Connelland#8217;s account of baby Lizaand#8217;s development is straightforward and unsentimental yet filled with detailed and fascinating scientific information about the lifelong ties among elephants that will resonate with readersand#8217; own feelings about family."
and#8212;Horn Book Magazine
"Nicely illustrated with photographs, this book invites children to observe a family of elephants in the Namibian scrub desert over a period of months...A valuable addition to library collections on elephants."
and#8212;Booklist
"This is a beautiful story told with care and compassion. It is obvious that the author has great respect for these animals and hopes to inspire the same feeling in her readers."
and#8212;School Library Journal
"A solid and useful introduction to basic facts of African elephant life for elementary-aged readers"
and#8212;Bulletin
Synopsis
Best friends come in all shapes and sizes!
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 independent? until the day she met a stray mixed-breed dog named Bella.
It was love at first sight as this unlikely duo became inseparable. They ate together, slept together, and even understood each other?s language. And when Bella suffered a severe spinal injury, Tarra stayed by her side and was there for her until Bella regained her health.
Brilliant color photographs of Tarra and Bella at home in the Elephant Sanctuary deftly illustrate this inspiring story of companionship, and an informative note about the Sanctuary provides a great resource for parents and teachers.
Synopsis
A stray Labrador named Bella befriends Tarra, a former circus elephant and resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. While the pairing is unusual, the two are inseparable--even when a crisis threatens to separate them. Based on the national media sensation, this is a true story of friendship and loyalty.
Synopsis
In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park in Namibia, they call her "the mother of all elephants." Holding binoculars closely to her eyes, American scientist Caitlin Oand#8217;Connell could not believe what she was seeing from these African elephants: as the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopped midstride, and stood as still as statues.
This observation would guide the scientist to a groundbreaking discovery about elephant communication: elephants actually listen with their limbs.
The Elephant Scientist was named a 2012 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book.
Synopsis
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 aloneuntil 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.
Synopsis
With rare, stunning in-the-field photographs, this nonfiction photo essay brings young children to the Africa scrub desert to witness a baby elephant surviving in the wild.
Synopsis
Last summer, the Sibert Honorand#8211;winning duo Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy Rodwell witnessed the birthand#8212;and growthand#8212;of a baby elephant. In this intimate account for preschool through elementary readers, find answers to questions such as: What doand#160;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.
About the Author
Donna M. Jackson is an award-winning author of nonfiction books for children and holds a masterand#8217;s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her works include the critically acclaimed Elephant Scientists, Bone Detectives, Bug Scientists, and Wildlife Detectivesand#8212;all honored by the NSTA/CBCand#8217;s Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children award; ER Vets, an Orbis Pictus and ASPCA Henry Bergh honor book; and Extreme Scientists, named a Sm The photographers Caitlin Oand#8217;Connell, Ph.D., and Timothy Rodwell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., are scientists and professional photographers that have blended art and science to help make science more accessible and engaging. Their photography has appeared in National Geographic, National Wildlife Magazine, Discover, Science News, Africa Geographic, and many other international magazines, scientific journals, and newspapers. More of their elephant photography will appear in their forthcoming photography book An Elephant's Life, which will feature every aspect of an elephant's life in rich detail. Caitlin is on the faculty in the Stanford School of Medicine and Timothy is an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.