Elephants Remember

written and illustrated by Jennifer O’Connell

Available at: Your Local Bookstore  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Amazon

“An excellent story, well told.
  You’ll remember it always.”

— Kirkus Reviews

The elephants that were trucked to Lawrence Anthony’s reserve in South Africa were full of fear and rage. They had lost family members to poachers and been moved from place to place, escaping from every enclosure.

Knowing they would be shot if they broke out again, Lawrence set up camp by their pen. As days passed, he talked and sang and listened to the herd, especially to the matriarch, whom he named Nana. Every night when the elephants gathered at the fence to escape, he begged Nana to stay. Gradually she and her herd came to know and trust him, forming a deep bond that would last a lifetime.

Years later, when Lawrence died, an extraordinary demonstration of animal behavior occurred that remains a mystery to this day.

Classroom Guide

Coloring Pages
 

★ “ …this picture book offers insights into elephants and underscores the necessity of protecting them. Using color and lighting effectively, O’Connell’s acrylic paintings help viewers imagine the unfamiliar settings. Her touching story awakens a sense of wonder about elephants as well as curiosity about how they experience the world.”

— Booklist, starred review

“...This is a compelling true story that will leave readers on the edges of their seats. O’Connell’s text is supplemented with backmatter that includes information, in question-and-answer format, about elephants, Lawrence Anthony, and Thula Thula as well as an author’s note and a list of additional resources. Acrylic illustrations capture Nana’s anger and mistrust of humans and Lawrence’s patience with the herd. Librarians and educators should prepare for a rush of elephant-related questions once this book hits the shelves, and caregivers may find themselves equally fascinated by this heartbreaking story of trust, survival, and loss.”  

— Kirkus Reviews