10 Reasons to Love an Elephant by Catherine Barr and Hanako Clulow

Ten reasons to love an elephant, eh? Well, personally, I've never needed ten reasons as they've always been my favourite large animal, the gentle giants of Africa and India, but it was good to find out more about them. Perhaps the most surprising fact which I discovered was that they live in herds headed by their grandmothers. Female elephants and their calves stay together and the oldest female elephant is the one in charge as she knows where to find food and water - and she knows her herd. She remembers about people too.

You get a double-page spread for each of the ten reasons, but there's lots more to look at than just that one reason. When we look at the fact that they have the biggest noses in the world we see them playing in a pool and the species of animals which you're likely to find with them. I love the way that the giraffe bends down to drink with his front legs splayed wide! They're good gardeners too: the seeds that they eat pass through their bodies and out again when they poo. The seeds then start growing in their dung and plants are spread through the forest.

Talking of dung, on five of the spreads there are badges with ways that you can show that you love an elephant. This time you can demonstrate your love by buying paper made from recycled elephant poo: you're encouraged to look online to find some. You could also adopt an elephant - but you definitely mustn't buy anything made of ivory! (Did you know that an elephant's tusks are actually its teeth? They use them to dig for water and food, or to strip bark from trees.)

It's a beautifully-presented book with a cut out of an elephant on the front cover. (No sharp edges to cut small fingers - well, you have to run your finger around a shape like that, don't you?) Catherine Barr's text is gently educational and you have the feeling that she knows lots more than she's told you. It's clear and very accessible for young children. Hanako Clulow's illustrations complement the text perfectly, giving lots of subjects for discussion on every page. It's a book which would sit well in the school library, but it's also one which would be read over and over at home. I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

Elephant is part of a 10 reasons to love... series. We've also seen 10 Reasons to Love a Turtle which is of the same standard.

For more on elephants we can recommend Animal Lives: Elephants by Sally Morgan.

Please share on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

You can read more book reviews or buy 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant by Catherine Barr and Hanako Clulow at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy 10 Reasons to Love an Elephant by Catherine Barr and Hanako Clulow at Amazon.com.

Comments

Like to comment on this review?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.