Recommended Reads

It's time for the Elephant Games! Every young elephant parades their talent in front of the king to earn their special elephant name. But Num-Num doesn't have a special skill to display. With a little help from some familiar friends, will this little elephant learn that being yourself is the most important talent of them all?

Little Tembo, a baby elephant, is thirsty and her herd cannot find any water. But Bibi, the matriarch, "remembers the way to wet." As Bibi leads them across the parched savannah, Tembo happily follows, every now and then getting distracted by her own memories of games she loves to play. With touching family moments interspersed between Tembo's playful actions, this tribute to grandmothers will make a perfect read-aloud.
Praise for Stay Close to Mama
 

Eddie Elephant loves telling stories. So when he egg-sits for his neighbors, the Emus, he entertains the egg with his tales...and gets an enormous surprise!

Elephant wants to play hide and seek. You can play too. But you'll need to try your best--he's VERY good! He can even hide behind a lamp, or a small tree.

A small boy and his elephant play an absurd game of hide and seek in this beautifully illustrated picture book that will have young readers shouting out loud in delight, and adults laughing too, as Elephant hides, in full view. Perhaps the little dog sees him, perhaps not.

This game-inside-a-book celebrates imaginative play and is perfect for sharing with children who will love being better at finding the elephant than the boy. Watch out for the tortoise, too . . .

 

This latest title in the Strange and Wonderful series allows young readers to journey into the lives of elephants in various habitats throughout the world. Kids will learn how elephants use their trunk, how they communicate, what they eat, and about their family groupings. The book also shows how we can ensure that elephants continue to live and thrive. Combining careful research and beautiful illustrations, this book is perfect for those who have an interest in animals and conservation.

One day, as Elmer is strolling through the jungle, he hears a cry for help. A butterfly has been trapped in a hole by a fallen branch. Elmer rushes to the rescue and frees her with ease. In return, she promises to help Elmer should he ever need it. But just how can a butterfly ever help an elephant?

In this bestselling and internationally beloved picture book, the local Pet Club won’t admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant, so he finds a solution—one that involves all kinds of unusual animals.

Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.

Strictly No Elephants has been sold around the world and is heralded as a pitch-perfect book about inclusion. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

“At the Little Bitty Bakery, the pastry chef was beat—from her powdered sugar nose, to her flour dusted feet." When a pastry chef works straight through her birthday with no time to celebrate, some industrious mice decide to cook her up a scrumptious birthday surprise. It's a happy day, indeed, for the baker when she discovers their delicious secret!
This perfect read aloud is enhanced by a glittered jacket, delicious recipes, and Caldecott Honoree Betsy Lewin's timeless illustrations that bring a lovable cast of characters to life.

 

Few animals are more impressive than elephants. They are by far the biggest of all land animals. And yet, elephants are more than mighty. They are sensitive and intelligent creatures who live in large, caring family societies run by females. They have extraordinary senses and communicate in complex ways that scientists are only now starting to understand. Elephants play an essential role in the delicate African and Asian ecosystems. Today, elephant populations in both Africa and Asia are being threatened.

What elephant-sized fun, what a big and bright fantasy: come along with a dreaming little boy as he’s whisked away to Elephant Land, where the elephants wear pants and the entertainment never ends. The charming rhyming text conveys a sense of pure delight and play, as the child and the animal go from skipping in the sun to visiting the circus to dancing with fireworks over their heads. And in every engaging picture, the elephant dons a different pair of pants, suitable to the occasion, in a variety of colors and brilliant patterns. Just imagine this huge beast adorned in fluffy pink, juggling in a rainbow-hued pair, and dressed in trousers all covered with stars. A funny, sweet, and fantastic tale.

Babar and his family are enjoying a relaxing ocean cruise when a sudden, violent storm whisks them far away from Celesteville. Shipwrecked on a desert island, they meet fabulous creatures as they explore their temporary home. Readers will appreciate the tropical locale--rendered in de Brunhoff's trademark lush watercolors--as much as Babar and his family do while they await their eventual rescue. Fans both old and new will love spending time with Babar, Celeste, their kids, and the Old Lady in this charming tale on the high seas.

 

A person's a person, no matter how small.

Everyone's favorite elephant stars in this heartwarming and timeless story for readers of all ages. In the colorful Jungle of Nool, Horton discovers something that at first seems impossible: a tiny speck of dust contains an entire miniature world--Who-ville--complete with houses and grocery stores and even a mayor! But when no one will stand up for the Whos of Who-ville, Horton uses his elephant-sized heart to save the day. This tale of compassion and determination proves that any person, big or small, can choose to speak out for what is right.

Poor Little Elephant--he simply wants a friend. But when he tries to play with Turtle, Heron, and two friendly frogs, their size differences bring disaster. What's a big little elephant to do? Well, with a little imagination, a little determination, and a lot of creativity, this elephant discovers that friends come in all sizes . . . as long as everybody steers clear of the seesaw.

What would happen if elephants disappeared? Trace the repercussions of a world without elephants in writer and illustrator Lily Williams' third picture book about loss and conservation.

The Congolese forest is home to many types of animals.
Some are strong.
Some are slippery.
Some are loud.
And some, like the elephant, are BIG.

The elephant has become synonymous with the image of African wildlife. They can grow over 10 feet tall and eat up to 300 pounds a day. While these giants are beloved figures in movies and zoos, they also play a large role in keeping the forest ecosystem healthy.

Unfortunately, poachers are hunting elephants rapidly to extinction for their ivory tusks, and that could be catastrophic to the world as we know it.

After losing her mother, shy Natumi is rescued by a team from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an orphanage for baby elephants. At the shelter, Natumi hides behind keepers' legs to watch the other elephants at the shelter. But soon, she meets several other orphans, and the eight of them play together in the surrounding bush.

As the babies become closer and more like a real family, they need a leader, someone they can trust. Can Natumi grow into this role?

Join the herd to find out what happens when they travel back into the wild. This sweet story, with its heartwarming photographs, explores the challenges and joys of family, love, and growing up, and is a perfect bedtime tale.

Little Elephant and Mama Elephant are going for a walk. "Hold on to my tail," says Mama. "If you want to ask me a question, tweak twice." Tweak, tweak! "Mama, what is that?" Little Elephant is curious about the frog, the monkey, the songbird, the butterfly, and the crocodile--and especially about what a little elephant can do. Mama knows just how to answer, to help her cherished Little Elephant grow.
 

Ollie is a purple elephant who is lost and has no place to call home.  Until Shelby and Peter find him in the park—and invite him to live with them.  Soon Ollie is a regular part of the family.  He doesn't have a room to call his own, but he doesn't mind. He is happy.  He loves hopscotch and kickball—but most of all he loves the dance parties the McLaughlins have after dinner.

But Mr. Puddlebottom, the downstairs neighbor, most certainly does not love Ollie.  And neither does the McLaughlins' cat, Ginger.  Ollie has taken her spot on the couch at night.  When the conspirators hatch a plan to get rid of Ollie, the purple elephant walks right into their trap—and onto a circus cart.  Will he ever be reunited with his family?

When Nelly reads a description of mice in a book, she is convinced that she is a mouse. After all, she is gray, has big ears, and a thin tail. But then she meets some other mice, and her confusion only grows. Why are they smaller than she is? And why can't she do the same things the other mice do? Only a trip to the zoo will set this mixed up animal tale straight ... or will it? This delightfully funny story about mistaken identities is sure to get giggles from young listeners.

Poor Cinderelephant! The Warty Sisters never say please or thank you (how rude!), and when she asks to go to the grand ball, they just laugh. "Whoever would want to dance with YOU?"

Little do they know, Cinderelephant has a Furry Godmouse on her side! And with a little help... and the right pair of shoes... anything is possible.
 

Oliver, Charlie, and Lulu love to play outside together. Their favorite game is hide-and-seek, but it’s not fun for Oliver when his friends hide in the trees—he can’t reach them! So the friends set off to find a tree that Oliver can play in.

But there’s a reason we don’t see elephants in trees, and just when Oliver is ready to give up the search, Charlie and Lulu surprise him with the perfect tree for them all to play in together!