Growing Up in Africa's Elephant Kingdom: The Story of Little Bull
- Book Review,
by Ellen Foley James
From Publishers Weekly
W said of this photographic book, based on a Discovery Channel film, "The text takes on a narrative rhythm, poignance and humor, with stunning photographs of a baby elephant against a backdrop of the Kenya plains." Ages 4-7. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-A photo story based on a film made by Discovery Channel Pictures. Just as the sun rises across the wide African sky, a baby elephant is born. Wrapped in his own huge, floppy ears, the 250-pound newborn struggles to his feet and joins his mother, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, sisters, and brothers. They will show him where to find water holes and sweet grass. His playground extends as far as he can see, but his favorite toy is right in front of him: his own wriggly trunk. Danger lurks everywhere. A cry from his grandmother quickly calls the others to protect him from a group of stalking lions. When the sun grows strong and the rains don't come, the elephants must walk for miles in search of food and water. Expansive two-page spreads capture the vastness of the African plains, the blistering sun, and the dramatic storms these animals experience. The simple but descriptive large-print text fleshes out the rich full-color photographs that document the life of one small elephant.Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Ages 5^-8. A sticker on the jacket proclaims this book "a companion volume" to Africa's Elephant Kingdom, an IMAX film. As one might expect, there's a cinematic quality to the wide photos of the plains; other shots feature close-ups of the elephants. The rambling story simply follows one young elephant through his first efforts to stand as a newborn, his observations of the animals in the surrounding plains, his play with others in his extended family, the elephants' search for food and water, and their relief when rain ends the long dry season. The camera focuses on Little Bull while the text interprets the actions and thoughts of the elephant and the maternal clan that nurtures him. With many effective photos and a relatively short text, this book can serve as a practical choice for primary-grade units on elephants. Carolyn Phelan
From Kirkus Reviews
Based on material from the upcoming TV film Africa's Elephant Kingdom, this book follows the birth and life of a baby African elephant, Little Bull, and members of his herd in the national parks in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Full-color photographs provide appealing close-ups of the 250-pound baby, his mother, cousin, and older members of the herd as they graze, endure a drought, wallow in the mud, play, and keep a watchful eye for hungry lions. The brief text is informative; the design is attractive, alternating framed photographs with full-bleed pictures that capture the sweep of the African sky. Included is a brief glossary of limited use, defining a crane as ``a tall wading bird that lives in marshes and on plains'' and an egret as ``a small, white bird that has long legs, a long neck, and a slender body,'' even though cranes also have long necks and legs, and some egrets are tall. (index) (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Early one morning, as the rising sun spread its light across the wide African sky, a baby elephant was born. His name was Little Bull. He's one of the most endearing main characters in a story in many years--and he's real! Come along and share his adventures. Through enchanting full-color photos, watch as this mischievous, playful, and innocent 250-pound baby elephant learns about the world around him. See him newly born, his big elephant ears wrapped tightly around him; struggling to his feet for the first time, prodded by his mother's wiggly trunk; stumbling and swaying on wobbly legs; and making friends with many of the members of Africa's animal kingdom. In a playground as wide as all outdoors, in a land of lush rolling hills and umbrella trees, Little Bull and his herd live and travel. You'll meet the family who watches over him always, as well as the other baby elephants that play and wrestle with him. You're also there as the rains stop, and the grass and water slowly dry up. Follow the herd as they go on a journey across miles of land, searching desperately for food...until finally the dark clouds roll in, and the cool, fresh rains pour down and turn the earth green once more. With its simple and lyrical style, lush color photography, and design that echoes traditional African art and motifs, this enchanting tale makes perfect quiet reading for young children.
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