Elephant Books for All Ages

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Title:   "101 Elephant Jokes" Author:   Robert Blake, compiler Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   William Hogarth Basis:   Fiction Category:   Anecdotes Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1964 Scholastic, Inc.

Title:   "17 Kings & 42 Elephants" Author:   Margaret Mahy Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Patricia MacCarthy, silk batik paintings Basis:   Fiction Category:   Poetic Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready text copyright1972 author, images copyright1987 illustrator

Title:   "A World Without Elephants?" Author:   Joan Bowden Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Bob Cremins Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1993 Compass Productions

Title:   "About The Elephant" Author:   Publisher staff? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

In Cyrillic Russian. Synopsis or review not ready.

Title:   "African Elephants" Author:   Roland Smith Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   Gerry Ellis, Photographs Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Early Bird Nature Books copyright1995 Roalnd Smith & Gerry Ellis

Title:   "African Elephants: Giants of the Land" Author:   Dorothy Hinshaw Patent Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Oria Douglas-Hamilton Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright Patent & Douglas-Hamilton

Title:   "All About Elephants" Author:   Carl Burger Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1965 Carl Burger

Title:   "An Elephant Called Slowly" Novel Author:   Ernest Dudley Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages Based on screenplay by Bill Travers and James Hill. A novel describing return visit to Africa (Kenya) of couple who played human leads in the movie 'Born Free'.   -- >

Not much plot ... the couple travel from England to Kenya and spend a month or so bungalow sitting for a friend. They befriend three elephants who hang around the bungalow; go out into the bush and observe animals; revisit the man whose lions were featured in the movie 'Born Free'. The writer apparently had a challenge to teach as much as he could about the various birds and animals in the area while telling the brief story in ninety-nine pages. As a result, the dialogue is unnatural, contrived, and rather clunky. A pleasant book for those who care more about the subject matter than the writing quality. WH 2000-01-26 copyright1970 Ernest Dudley

Title:   "An Elephant In The Family" Author:   James Playsted Wood Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Kurt Werth Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1957 James Playsted Wood

Title:   "An Elephant is Soft And Mushy" Author:   Sam Gross Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Sam Gross Basis:   Fiction Category:   Cartoon Level:   All Ages

A collection of cartoons by Sam Gross, previously published in The New Yorker, National Lampoon, Cavalier, and numerous other magazines. Many are sensitive to the times in which published; many are very funny; many would fail the test of 'political correctness' prevalent today. The title comes from a parody of the six blind men and the elephant in which the men are feeling the elephants parts and declaring it to be like a tree or like a snake, etc. One blind man is a short distance away and has his hands on a pile of dung and he proclaims that an elephant is soft and mushy. WH 2000-07-28 copyright1980 S. Gross & many prior permissions

Title:   "Babar's Yoga for Elephants" Author:   Laurent de Brunhoff Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Laurent de Brunhoff Basis:   Fiction Category:   Teaching Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright2002 Laurent de Brunhoff

Title:   "Elephant Bones & Lonely Hearts" Author:   Ronald Rood Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Terence Parkes Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Anecdotes Level:   All Ages

This book is a charming collection of anecdotes and philosophical meanderings through the author's experiences as a naturalist/writer. The only reference to elephants is a question received during his twelve years providing research services for an encyclopedia; How many bones does an elephant have? Answer: usually 216. (A human has 206). WH 2000-04 copyright1977 Text by Rood; Illust. by Parkes

Title:   "Elephant Herd" Author:   Miriam Schlein Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Symeon Shimin Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready Copyright MCMLIV (1954) Miriam Schlein

Title:   "Elephant Jokes", Flap-up, Stand-up Jokes Book Author:   Sadie Fields Productions Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Frances Cony Basis:   Fiction Category:   Humor Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1996 author, illustrator

Title:   "Elephant Moon" Author:   Bijou LeTord Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Author Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

part of royalties to African Wildlife Foundation copyright1993 Bijou LeTord

Title:   "Elephant Over The Alps' Author:   Cynthia Pilkington Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Adventure Level:   All Ages

In 1959 a group of mostly young Brits undertook an expedition to determine the likely truth of the story of Hannibal's crossing of the Alps with 37 elephants some 2,000 years before. Using histories by Polybius and Livy to guide them through modern France and Italy, they set out with a young female Asian elephant named "Yumbo" borrowed from a private zoo in Turin. This book, written by one of the expedition members, recounts the British Alpine Hannibal Expedition's daily progress in this attempt. They succeeded in crossing the Alps from France into Italy. The tale is nicely told in a straightforward yet pleasing manner. The book contains a number of photos of the elephant, dubbed "Jumbo" in English, at key points along the journey. Thoroughly entertaining as well as informative. WH 2000-05-19 copyright1961 Cynthia Pilkington

Title:   "Elephant School" Author:   John Stewart Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   John Stewart, photographs Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1982 John Stewart

Title:   "Elephant Tears" Mask Of The Elephant Author:   Richard Trout Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

MacGregor Family Adventures - Book 2, Harbor Lights 2000 Series Back cover: "Dr. Jack MacGregor, once again in pursuit of protecting earth's dwindling resources and endangered animals, arrives in East Africa and collides with an international cartel that is exploiting African elephants." WH good read, especially for teens since story's heroes are teens. copyright2000 Richard Trout

Title:   "Elephant Up A Tree" Author:   Hendrik Willem Van Loon Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Hendrik Willem Van Loon Basis:   Fiction Category:   Fable Level:   All Ages

Fantasy story of Sir John Ephelas who travels from Africa to America to investigate human society and make a report to his people as to whether animals should adopt human ways. Written during the economic depression of the 1930's this book makes reference to social conditions and behavior patterns of humans, especially the establishment institutions and their failure to address reality. There are other talking animals in the story who help Sir John in his quest. During his stay Sir John is kidnapped and sold to a circus. Finally her is rescued and returns to his homeland and reports his findings. Based on his experience the elephants decide that animals should not become like humans. WH copyright1933 Hendrik Willem Van Loon

Title:   "Elephantastic! A Trunkful of Unforgettable Jokes" Author:   ??? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Tania Hurt-Newton Basis:   Fiction Category:   Humor Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1995 Larousse plc, illustrations copyrightTania Hurt-Newt

Title:   "Elephants & Other Land Giants" Author:   Publisher staff? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

includes hippos, rhinos, giraffes copyright1976,1977 Time-Life Films Inc

Title:   "Elephants Never Forget Birthdays" Author:   Graham Percy ? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Graham Percy Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Activity Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1990 Graham Percy

Title:   "Elephants" Author:   Reinhard Kunkel Illustrated:   Photos Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Doc Level:   All Ages

Translated form German copyright1982

Title:   "Elephants" Author:   Alan M Heatwole Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   The Image Bank® Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1991 The Image Bank®

Title:   "Elephants" Author:   multiple contributors Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Photographer: Frank Knight Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

Editor: Jeheskel Shoshani, Elephant Interest Group; 40 authors contributed. Outstanding authoritative work covers every aspect of elephants. WH 2000-08-08 copyright1992 Weldon Owen Ltd & USA

Title:   "Elephants" Author:   Herbert S. Zim Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Joy Buba Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1946 Herbert S. Zim

Title:   "Elephants, Elephants, Elephants" Author:   Phyllis R. Fenner, collected works of others Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Manning deV. Lee Basis:   Fiction Category:   Anthology Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1952 Phyllis R. Fenner, editor

Title:   "Elephants: Gentle Giants of Africa & India" Author:   Marcus Schneck Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1991 Todtri Productions Limited

Title:   "Elephants: The Deciding Decade" Author:   Ronal Orenstein, Editor Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   Brian Beck, Photographs Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Conservation Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1991, 1997 Key Porter Books Ltd

Title:   "Faithful Elephants" Author:   Yukio Tsuchiya Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Ted Levin Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages

True story of animals, people and war during WWII. Not a happy ending. copyright1951 Yukio Tsuchiya

Title:   "From Trunk To Tail: Elephants Legendary & Real" Author:   Suzanne Jurmain Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages

In 81 pages, plus bibliography and index, author attempts to cover highlights of elephant: evolution, biology, as prey, as servant, as warrior, as performer, in religion, and issues of conservation. She does a remarkably good job of it with terse prose straight to the point. Book contains reproductions of archival drawings, posters, and other material. WH 2000-07-12 copyright1978 Suzanne Jurmain

Title:   "Fun By The Ton" Author:   F. Beverly Kelley Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   photo illustrated; Edward Allen & Kelley Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Circus Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1941 F. Beverly Kelley

Title:   "Illustrated Encyclopedia of Elephants" Author:   Dr S K Eltringham, Consultant & multiple Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   multiple Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1997 Salamander Books Ltd, London UK

Title:   "In the Forest with the Elephants" Author:   Roland Smith Illustrated:   Photos Illustrator:   Michael J. Schmidt, Photographs Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Journal Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1998 Roland Smith & Michael J. Schmidt

Title:   "Jamba the Elephant" Author:   Theodore J. Waldeck Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Kurt Wiese Basis:   Fiction Category:   Culture Level:   All Ages

Nicely told tale of two creatures; Jamba, a young bull elephant, and Bomi a Bantu boy of 16. The tales merge when Jamba is captured in a drive to obtain trainable bulls to work in logging of ebony. Only Bomi is able to control Jamba until Jamba runs away. A year or so later, in a near-death experience, Jamba returns to Bomi and all ends well. This novel is based on a lot of factual material gathered by the author in his African explorations which were prior to World War II. Since then naturalists have discovered some things which prove certain of the author's notions false. A good story nonetheless. WH 2000-09-01 copyright1942 The Viking Press Inc

Title:   "Jumbo the Biggest Elephant in All the World" Author:   Florence McLaughlin Burns Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages

Brief factual history of the famed elephant 'Jumbo' with engravings and photographs. Wh 2000-06-06 copyright1978 Florence McLaughlin Burns

Title:   "Jumbo The Elephant Comes Home" Author:   Samuel E Lowe Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1925 Whitman Pub Co

Title:   "King Leopold's Dream" Author:   Jeremy Gavron Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1993 Jeremy Gavron

Title:   "King of the Elephants" Author:   Edward B Tracy Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1970 Edward B Tracy

Title:   "Little Elephant" Author:   Miela Ford Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   Tana Hoban, photos Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1994 Ford, Hoban

Title:   "Mamba-Kan" The Story of A Baby Elephant Author:   Vitold deGolish Illustrated:   Photos Illustrator:   Vitold deGolish, Photographs Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

Photo story of boy who releases captured elephant. copyright1954 The John Day Co.

Title:   "Modoc" Author:   Ralph Helfer Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   jacket design copyright1997 Gloria Adelson Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages Good story, good read. WH 2007

"On a quiet morning in 1986, in a small German circus town, a boy and an elephant were born. The boy was named Bram, the elephant Modoc. The two were raised as siblings, and when news came that the circus was being sold, thirteen year old Bram did the only thing he could imagine: He stowed away to be with Modoc." "Modoc is an epic for the ages, destined to be a classic, and sure to be cherished by readers young and old." [extracted from dust jacket flaps] copyright1997 Ralph Helfer Jacket photo copyright1997 Mike Hollist, Daily Mail

Title:   "Old Phoebe - The Story of An Elephant" Author:   Mabel Cobb Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Claude Allen Lewis Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Circus Level:   All Ages From the dust jacket: "This is no ordinary book, quickly read and then forgotten. It is the sort of book a boy or girl of Junior High school age will add to the family's permanent library. Into an exciting narrative, Mabel Cobb has woevn a complete study of the habits and behavior of the Indian Elephant. "Old Phoebe is a circus elephant, beloved and respected by all who have seen her perform. And yet, in spite of her happy lot, she still ongs for the days of freedom she knew in the jungle. Through a remarkable device of story-telling, we are allowed to see into Phoebe's mind, examine her thoughts and thus trace the complete pattern of her life   --- >

as well as the lives of all elephants. There is a great beauty, tenderness and honesty. in this story. We suffer with her through drought, and battles with tigers, and elephant hunts; we feel her grief as she is captured and forced into the servile ways of domesticity; we share some of her pride as she relives the heroic tales of her kind in myth and history, such as in the exploits of Hannibal's elephants, which are related fully. "The adventures in this book compare favorably with any exciting tale of fiction. But this book is not strictly fiction -- it would be a mistake to regard it ias such. It is natural science presented in fascinating story fashion. "All the color and danger of the Indian Jungles, the pagenatry of a rajah's state procession, as well as the gaiety of 'the big tent', come alive, not only through Mabel Cobb's writing, but in the many drawings and paintings by Claude Allen Lewis." Good story. WH 2000-04 copyright1946 Bernard Ackerman, Inc.

Title:   "Sabu The Elephant Boy" Author:   Frances Flaherty Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Biography Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1937 OUPress

Title:   "Suzanne The Elephant" Author:   Dennis Peck Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   Personal Level:   All Ages

Older elephant recounts her life and lessons to younger associate. Author uses the mechanism of this tale to disclose his views on India and the politics of independence form Britain as well as to recount the story of Hannibal's Alps crossing and other issues which strike his fancy. Not especially entertaining. WH 2001-02-04 copyright1968 Dennis Peck

Title:   "The 39th White Elephant" Author:   René Guillot Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Moyra Leatham Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Originally in French for children about a boy king who goes in search of a new royal elephant. copyright1957 S.G.Phillips, Inc.

Title:   "The Elephant At The Waldorf" Author:   Anne Miranda Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Don Vanderbeek Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

Hilarious! WH copyright1995 Anne Miranda copyright1995 Don Vanderbeek

Title:   "The Elephant Book" Author:   Price/Stern/Sloan, Inc. Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Ed Powers Basis:   Fiction Category:   Humor Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1963 Price/Stern/Sloan, Inc.

Title:   "The Elephant Truck" Author:   Lawrie Taylor ? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Lawrie Taylor Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Adventure Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1997 Born Free Foundation / The Templar Co plc

Title:   "The Elephant War" Author:   Gillian Avery Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   History Level:   All Ages

Written for young readers, this rather silly novel pits Harriet Jessop, age 11, against the Smith brothers in her attempts to help keep the elephant Jumbo in England. Not much to do with Jumbo ... lots to do with rivalry among preadolescents. WH 2001-10-29 copyright1960 Gillian Avery

Title:   "The Elephant's Bathtub" Author:   Frances Carpenter Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Hans Guggenheim Basis:   Fiction Category:   Anthology Level:   All Ages

Subtitled "Wonder Tales from the Far East" This is an anthology of fables and legends from the Middle Eastern and Eastern old nations from Arabia to Siam. The first story concerns two Burmese merchants who become involved in a personal conflict resulting from one man's envy of the other. Part of the story involves an attempt to wash one of the king's elephants 'white'. The remaining stories teach various lessons or attempt to explain how things came to be the way they are. One other story purports to explain why the elephant's lower lip is shaped the way it is. The stories are charming and amusing. Reading level about age 12 and up. WH 2000-04-24 copyright1962 Frances Carpenter Huntington

Title:   "The Elephant's Child" Author:   Rudyard Kipling Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   John A. Rowe Basis:   Fiction Category:   Fable Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1995 Michael Neugebauer Verlag AG

Title:   "The Jungle Book" Author:   Rudyard Kipling Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   Story Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready

Title:   "The Love Of Elephants" Author:   Neil Murray Illustrated:   Photographs Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1976 Octopus Bks Ltd, Londo

Mark Twain 1909	Title:   "The Stolen White Elephant" Author:   Mark Twain Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Fiction Category:   Satire Level:   All Ages	"The Stolen White Elephant" is a short story written by Mark Twain and published in 1882 by James R. Osgood. In this short story an Indian elephant, en route from India to Britain as a gift to the Queen, disappears in New Jersey. The local police department goes into high gear to solve the mystery but it all comes to a tragic end. Wikipedia [pub 1882 - public domain] Hilarious sarcasm. WH 2008-10-24
You can read this public domain book online here or on numerous web sites which you can find by searching the title. Many library sites have it. My copy is from the Gutenberg Project. Click to either display and read it or to download the zipped file. Click here to read now use back button to return  |  or Click here to download

Title:   "The Unforgettable Elephant" Author:   Laurie Platt Winfrey Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   unclassified Category:   unclassified Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1980 The Walker Publiching Co Inc

Title:   "The White Elephant And Other Tales from India" Author:   Georgene Faulkner [Story Lady] Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Frederick Richardson Basis:   Fiction Category:   Anthology Level:   All Ages

The Golden Hour radio program. From introduction ... "My Dear Children: These old, old tales from India have been favorites for many, many years; some have come down to us from the early days of Buddha, and were taken from a book, called the "Jataka Tales", telling of the Buddha's previous existences. Some of these old tales have been translated from the Pali by Eugene Watson Burlingame, and they have also been retold for us in attractive form by Ellen C. Babbitt. These stories are somewhat similar to stories which we have all known in another form; for instance, our first story of "The White Elephant" is somewhat like the story of Androcles and the lion. ... All these tales I have told to you many times over the radio; now I am glad to place them in your own hands to read and retell yourselves. Your Story Lady" copyright1929 The P.F.Volland Co

Title:   "The World Of Elephants" Author:   Publisher staff? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Good photo documentary for younger readers or even adults. Covers physiology, habitat, behaviors and so forth. WH 2000-06-11

Title:   "Unidentified Flying Elephant" Author:   Robert Kraus Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Whitney Darrow Jr Basis:   Fiction Category:   Fantasy Level:   All Ages

This is a bizarre and completely delightful book for children of all ages ... probably those as young as three could understand the story. It involves a flying elephant named X22 who lives in space and has lost his saucer. He happens upon Arthur, an earthling elephant boy and together they go in search of X22's saucer so he can eat stardust again and regain his healthy glow. The art is especially engaging. I would guess the originals were done with heavy use of pastel chalks or crayons along with charcoal and some pencil work. very free-flowing and humorous. WH 2000-04 copyright1968 Text, Robert Kraus copyright1968 Illust. Whitney Darrow Jr

Title:   "What The Elephant Was" Author:   Miriam Schlein Illustrated:   Illustrator:   n/a Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Evolution Level:   All Ages

Discussion of the various prehistoric antecedents to modern elephants is brief, clearly written, and easy to understand by a layman. Uses photographs and drawings to illustrate various species. Provides timelines and geographical distributions as well. WH 2000-06-04 copyright1985 author

Title:   "Wonders of Elephants" Author:   Sigmund A. Lavine & Vincet Scuro Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   Publisher staff? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Photo Documentary Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready copyright1979 Sigmund A. Lavine & Vincet Scuro (authors)

Title:   "Woolly Mammoth" Author:   ??? Illustrated:   Yes Illustrator:   ??? Basis:   Non-Fiction Category:   Nature Level:   All Ages

Synopsis or review not ready