Let’s Talk Elephants Today! Travels with Tarra and Just for Elephants by Carol Buckley
Can anybody tell me the gestation period of an elephant? No? Let me share. An elephant is pregnant for about 22 months! That’s almost two years people! Can you imagine being pregnant for two years?! Thanks, but no thanks.
My boys and I have been excited ALL summer (photo on the left is my baby about 2 1/2 years ago) because Christy, the elephant at Hogle Zoo, which we frequent about two times a month, was expecting a baby elephant. In August her due date had finally approached. I had talked with somebody at the zoo and was thrilled when he told me that if all goes well, the new baby elephant would be on display immediately following the birth. Wow!
When Hogle Zoo twittered about the new arrival, I was ecstatic and asked again when the elephant would be on display. I literally was ready to drop everything to see this elephant. I was so bummed when this was the reply: @mawbooks Baby elephant and her mom are not on exhibit yet. Should be six to eight weeks and we’ll keep folks posted on the big debut! Dang it! I’d waited all summer. But the wait is finally over! Our newest arrival will be on display a week from today. I’ve already put in on the calender and told my friend I want to be there when they open. And we have a new giraffe too. It will be an exciting day.
Why am I talking about elephants? ‘Tis funny because Tilbury House Publishers were on the look out for reviewers for two of their elephant books and they happened to catch me Twittering about well – elephants. It’s like they read my mind, because I was thinking that reviewing some picture books about elephants would be a perfect tie-in to our own arrival here! I’ve reviewed other Tilbury titles and have enjoyed them. So I’m really excited to share two of their elephant titles with you. But first, I have to share the baby with you!
(Photos attributed and copyrighted to the Hogle Zoo)
Isn’t she a cutie?! I can’t wait to go visit my first baby elephant on Friday. If any of my local readers are planning on going bright and early in the morning, do let me know.
Let’s talk about elephant books!
Both Tarra and Carol have unusual lives and it’s in this photo essay entitled Travels with Tarra by Carol Buckley that Carol shares with us her unusual relationship with Tarra, who happens to be an elephant. Imagine sitting at home doing homework when you look up and see a baby elephant walking down the sidewalk. For Carol that’s exactly what happened and it was love at first sight.
Tarra belonged to a tire store owner who bought her from an elephant broker (who literally snatched Tarra from her herd in Burman and shipped to the U.S.). Tarra served as a mascot for this tire shop and the owner hoped that she would bring in more money.
Carol visited the tire shop so often that she soon became her caretaker and even took the elephant home with her night. Tarra was still very much a baby and needed the physical and emotional contact that every baby needs. For Tarra that need was accomplished through Carol and they became the best of friends.
Carol purchased Tarra and for twenty years the two of them traveled the world in shows, circuses and even making an appearance in the movie Annie. Tarra loved to perform and was generally a very happy elephant. But she would also get tired of the same tricks and Carol had to be inventive on how to keep her entertained. There were a few times that she was kept in a zoo but ultimately Carol knew that Tarra was happiest with lots of room to run around. She purchased 800 acres and founded The Elephant Sanctuary. It’s not a zoo or a theme park in the sense that it’s not open to the public, but rather, I thought of it as more as a retirement home for elephants. A place where they could live with other elephants and roam and play openly.
Travels with Tarra did an excellent job conveying how social elephants are. They need attention and touch. They truly care and comfort each other. It also illustrates how many elephants were cared for by ignorant owners (the tire shop owner would literally drive Tarra home in the trailer, turn off the lights and go to bed – leaving her alone for hours in a very small space). Although, Tarra loved to perform she was always the happiest when she had the opportunity to just run around in open space.
The Elephant Sanctuary has recently received a lot of media coverage and I found Travels with Tarra a good book to introduce me to the sanctuary and its background. It would make for a good read-a-loud book in the classroom or in your home with your children.
Just for Elephants also by Carol Buckley is the story of two other elephants at the Sanctuary. Shirley had lived a long life. She had performed in a circus and after breaking her leg and being unable to perform tricks was sold to a zoo. After many years with the zoo, it was decided to move Shirley to The Elephant Sanctuary where she could live out the rest of her life roaming freely with other elephants.
When she arrived, she was greeted by another elephant named Jenny who just happened to be a baby elephant in Shirley’s circus many years earlier. The old adage, “elephants do remember” is only too true and these two elephants instantly remembered each other, stood close together. They touched each other affectionately and often wrapped their trunks together. They became inseparable best friends. I enjoyed learning how the elephants lived in the sanctuary and the importance of friendships to them.
The narration in both Travels with Tarra and Just for Elephants left just a bit to be desired in its simplicity. In Just for Elephants, I was taken a bit out of the story when the entire book was told from a third person omniscient and then at the end the author inserts herself in the story and switched to first person with the use of I. I wouldn’t let this override your pleasure of either book, but thought that I would mention it. Both books are full of large photographs which my children enjoyed very much.
Carol Buckley has a new book entitled Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends which comes out in just under a week and published by Putnam Juvenile. The Elephant Sanctuary has created the following video about Tarra and her elephant friends and it’s my pleasure to exclusively debut it here on the Maw Books Blog!
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The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee is the nation’s largest natural habitat refuge developed solely for endangered African and Asian elephants. It operates on 2,700 acres. For every 100 copies of their elephant books sold, Tilbury House has pledged to sponsor a much-needed item from the Sanctuary’s wish list. These gifts will include 100 lbs of peanut butter (a favorite treat), a day’s worth of meals for one elephant (including more than 10lbs of fruits & veggies and 100 lbs of hay!), and an elephant-sized piece of land (to support the Sanctuary’s recent expansion.) This “Trunk Sale” will run through the end of this year December 31st.
Giveaway!
Tilbury Publishers is sponsoring this giveaway of the following titles:
- Copy of Just for Elephants signed by Sanctuary co-founder Carol Buckley
- Copy of Travels With Tarra signed by Carol and stamped by Tarra the Elephant
- Package of Tilbury House Animal Books— The Goat Lady, Thanks to the Animals, and an advance copy of Bear-ly There.
The publisher will draw 3 lucky winners from all of those who comment on any of the participating tour posts from Sept. 1-9, and announce the winners on Sept 10th. Open to U.S. and Canada. Other stops on this tour this week are Reading Rumpus, Sacred Elephants, Read These Books and Use Them!, Shelf Elf, Bees Knees, Through The Looking Glass, and ending Tuesday the 8th with Bri Meets Books.
To enter this giveaway, simply answer this question: have you ever seen a baby elephant? As you can tell, I’m a tad excited. Am I in for a treat?
Links of interest: The Elephant Sanctuary website is very in-depth and a fantastic resource. It also includes a curriculum for teachers for an in-depth study of elephants.
Just for Elephants Genre: Picture Book, non-Fiction. Approx. ages 9-12
Publisher: Tilbury House. November 15, 2006.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 0884482839
Just for Elephants is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.
Travels with Tarra Genre: Young Adult, non-fiction photo essay.
Publisher: Tilbury House. July 2002.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 0884482413
Travels with Tarra is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.
Tarra & Bella Genre: Picture book, non-fiction. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile. September 8, 2009
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 0399254439
Tarra & Bella is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.
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Category: Book Reviews, Nonfiction, Picture Books
Tags: blog tour, book trailers, review copy, videos
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Oh, the zoo’s photos — the baby is so cute! And Trunk Sale? LOL.
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:21 amI have never seen a baby elephant except in pictures, but elephants are my favorite animal. I try to collect everything I can with elephants on it.
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:22 amI don’t remember ever seeing a baby elephant, so I probably haven’t. I love the video of Tarra and her friends.
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:32 amI absolutely LOVE elephants (I also have a thing for camels too!). They have the sweetest little faces. The video is precious, the way Tarra nurtures the rest of the elephants. When you get to see the new baby, take pictures and share! We were able to see a baby elephant at the zoo in my husband’s home town in Poland a couple of years ago. You just wish you could take them home with you! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:39 amI love, love, love elephants. And there are some GREAT elephant picture books out there that I adore. Have you read Elephants Can Paint Too by Katya Arnold, An Elephant in the Backyard by Richard Sobol, and Ballet of the Elephants by Leda Schubert?
As for your question, I’ve never seen a baby elephant (outside of pictures that is).
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:53 amWhat an adorable baby! I have never seen a baby myself, except on television.
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
on September 4th, 2009 at 9:58 amElephants are fascinating animals, but I’ve never read much about them. I do know I wouldn’t want to be pregnant for 22 months! I saw a baby elephant at a zoo once, it was so cool. Little elephants are adorable. I think I’ve heard that story before, of the elephants who recognized each other at the sanctuary after having been separated for so long. I’d like to read Travels with Tarra, wonder if my library has it…
on September 4th, 2009 at 10:03 amI have never seen a baby elephant but what a thrill that would be! I’ve ridden an adult one, but have yet to see a baby one.
on September 4th, 2009 at 10:03 amPlease enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com
I’ve only seen baby elephants on TV, but they look adorable! I’m sure you’re in for a treat!
on September 4th, 2009 at 10:25 amCute books! Kevin would love them. I’m not sure if I’ve seen a baby elephant – I feel like I have, but I don’t know when. You’re so cute with your excitement. We finally bought a zoo membership, just in time to see the baby giraffe. K loves him. He points excitedly at the giraffe and says “bebe!,” then at the big giraffe, and says, “mama!,” and “dada!” We were actually on our way to the zoo when they announced the elephant’s birth. We’ll try to go next Friday too!
on September 4th, 2009 at 10:34 amThese sound like great books. Here’s hoping everything goes smoothly with the baby elephant debut!
on September 4th, 2009 at 11:17 amDid you hear there are baby tigers too? Not sure when they’ll be out for people to see.
What a rotten time for our membership to expire.
on September 4th, 2009 at 12:48 pmAwww! I love elephants. They are supposed to be very intelligent. I cannot remember if I have seen a baby or not. Must have done in 46 years.
on September 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pmPlease enter me. Thanks!
Our library used “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen as our One Book One Reading Community selection and had many special events around this title. The Elephant Sanctuary sent us their brochures to hand out to our patrons, we had book discussions, and related programming includindg a darling life size color baby elephant cardboard poster which stood in our Popular Materials department for the summer. We were all about elephants at our library which was easy for me to do since I’ve always loved these amazing “gently giants”. I have a Babar stuffed animal on my desk at work and at home along with a sizeable collection of various sized pachyderms!
on September 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pmI have, at the Bronx Zoo. They are perfectly adorable, and so small next to their mommies.
bgcchs@yahoo.com
on September 4th, 2009 at 1:37 pmOh wow! Those pictures are adorable. I have never seen a baby elephant in person, but I do tend to watch a lot of documentaries so I have lots of random facts about elephants.
And I bet my 5 year old would be thrilled to read these books. I’ve got them on my list to read even if I don’t win the giveaway and I will have to plan a day to go see this new arrival.
on September 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pmThat baby elephant it sooo cute. I love their fuzzy little ears. Well, they sort of look fuzzy
on September 4th, 2009 at 3:44 pmI love the elephants! The babies are so cute. I haven’t seen one in person but I’d definitely go if there was one at a zoo near me!
on September 4th, 2009 at 4:32 pmA super excellent giveaway, my kids just
on September 4th, 2009 at 5:42 pmlove the zoo and would enjoy these books.
Well, I’m not too big on elephants, but this post was absolutely adorable!
on September 4th, 2009 at 6:26 pmI’ve only seen a baby elephant in a zoo environment and of course in picture books and films. What wonderful work the Elephant Sanctuary is doing. I would like to help in any way I can and would love to have copies of these books. readandlead@yahoo.com
on September 4th, 2009 at 7:25 pmno! i’ve never seen a real baby elephant, only on tv or in pictures. oh well, one day when i take my future kids to the zoo i’ll get to see one… lol ;D
haley mathiot at yahoo dot com
on September 4th, 2009 at 8:36 pmYou know, I did know that an elephant’s gestation period is 22 months, because my own local zoo has a baby elephant! We went (twice) last weekend to see her. She was born at the end of July and she’s so adorable. It was great to see her being so playful. They haven’t named her and I’m not sure we got any photos, but she’s so cute I know I won’t be able to stay away from her for long!
on September 5th, 2009 at 3:07 amI’ve never seen a real baby elephant. They are just so cute!
vtgoat[at]gmail[dot]com
on September 5th, 2009 at 6:20 amOh my boys would LOVE these books! My oldest was obsessed with elephants when he was younger. Knew every fact there was to know about elephants! Yes, we have seen a baby elephant. In 2001, the National Zoo welcomed a new arrival: Kandula! My son was two years old when he was born and they’ve grown up together. It’s great to vist and see how much Kandula has grown!
on September 5th, 2009 at 6:25 amI love elephants! This book sounds so interesting. I’ll definately have to get it!
on September 5th, 2009 at 8:43 amYes, we last saw a baby elephant last summer when we went to the African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ont. The elephants were going for their daily swim and the baby elephant was holding tails in the middle and when he jumped in the water he went right under and the other elephants all took turns keeping his head above water. It was really cute!
on September 5th, 2009 at 9:03 amWe haven’t seen a baby elephant in person, but boy, would my son love to! He loves elephants and we’ve seen the elephants at Hogle many times. I wish our zoo in Idaho had elephants.
Terrific giveaway. Thanks!
on September 5th, 2009 at 9:25 amNo, I have never seen a baby elephant, and I want to very very badly. I love elephants!
I want to go to the zoo so bad now. Ok, I am game, what time does the zoo open? I have a kid in morning kindergarten, but maybe I could come after.
on September 5th, 2009 at 10:13 amWe had a baby elephant born at our zoo a few years ago and we went as a family to see it — so cute! They had a name the baby elephant contest too
on September 5th, 2009 at 6:35 pmThat’s so awesome that you’ve been following the elephant too! I’ve been listening to the news on 97.1 when the people from the zoo come in and do their updates.
Maybe we’ll run into one another!
on September 6th, 2009 at 1:24 pmYes I have seen several baby elephants, both in captivity and in the wild. They are wonderfully funny and a delight to watch. I hope that you get to see a baby elephant yourself. My daughter saw the new elephant in Portland last year and she fell in love with it.
on September 6th, 2009 at 2:02 pmI have never seen a baby elephant and I’m totally jealous of you. I have, however, ridden an elephant when I was little. So there!
on September 6th, 2009 at 4:44 pmI haven’t ever seen a baby elephant, but I did get to see and touch a young elephant when I was a teenager. I don’t really know how old it was, but somewhere between a baby and full grown.
on September 7th, 2009 at 12:20 amI have. They are beautiful.
on September 7th, 2009 at 11:48 amI haven’t—but it sounds wonderful!
on September 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pmI have seen baby elephants…which brings to mind the wonderful new book by Kate DiCamillo THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT which should be required reading for kids right along with her Edward Toulane book. Thanks for the giveaway.
on September 7th, 2009 at 6:51 pmYes I saw one this yer at Disney and it was adorable!
on September 7th, 2009 at 9:10 pmI have seen a baby elephant. Not long after I moved to Fort Worth, the Fort Worth zoo had a baby elephant born. I got to see her just a few months later. She was very cute, in a small, grey, wrinkly sort of way.
Thanks for the chance to win!
on September 8th, 2009 at 8:25 amSuch a neat story! I was surprised to learn she was the beloved elephant that guest starred in Annie. Thanks for such an interesting review.
on September 8th, 2009 at 9:30 amWe’ve seen lots of baby elephants at Kruger National Park in South Africa!
And we posted about this at Winning Readings:
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/09/elephant-books_08.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
on September 8th, 2009 at 11:50 pmWe saw a big bull elephant at the Calgary zoo this summer, but no babies. The one in those postcard like snaps from your zoo sure look adorable though! Enjoy!
on September 10th, 2009 at 12:47 amWe have a winner for one of the prizes on the blog tour sponsored by Tilbury Publishers and it’s one of the readers from this post. Congrats to . …
Sandy!
on September 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm