The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia (CitizenKid)

The book is just amazing and wonderful, Boys and girls will both like it. It's an interesting and special book with amazing pictures on every page. I love the illustrations.

Wonderful story.

The font is like size 12 or something ridiculously small. I can't read this book the way I would typically read a read-aloud story (holding it out so the child can see), because the font is so tiny that I have to pull out my reading glasses and hold the book right in front of my face. Also, I can't point to the words and have my emerging reader follow along with me, because the font is too tiny for him to see. I wouldn't want to give any young child a book with this small of font to read, because that's what causes nearsightedness. I'm not sure who this book could possibly be aimed towards: not parents, not young children, not school children, and by the time nearsightedness sets in during middle school/high school, then this book is already too juvenile, so not them either. It's a cute story with beautiful pictures. Too bad the font size absolutely RUINS it.

When a young man named Aaron finds a young elephant in danger in a swimming pool, he jumps to the rescue even though elephants are viewed as pesky and dangerous creatures by his village. It turns out the little elephant is an orphan so workers from an elephant orphanage are called in to take care of the exhausted little pachyderm. Curious, Aaron goes to visit Zambezi at the elephant orphanage and finds himself offered a job caring for Zambezi and other new orphan elephants. Can a boy who was raised to hate elephants help save them? Interspersed with the story are facts about elephants, elephant orphanages, and rehabilitation practices. In the back of the book is further information on the real Aaron and Zambezi and how readers can get involved themselves to help orphan elephants and other endangered wildlife.What makes this story all the more powerful is the fact that Aaron is a real person and Zambezi is a real elephant (though their story may not have played out exactly as portrayed in the book). They definitely provide great inspiration to help endangered animals in the world, and Aaron’s perspective helps readers understand a little bit of the other side of the poaching issue. I liked the illustration style for the story parts, and it really helps that the factual tidbits on elephants between chapters of the story are done with real photos so readers easily transition back and forth between the two. I especially appreciate that the book includes ways for readers to get involved themselves. Hand this to animal lovers, those studying modern Africa or endangered species, and especially those who can’t get enough elephants in their lives. I’ll definitely be adding Aaron & Zambezi’s story to our school library.I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This wonderful children’s book is based on the true story of Aaron, a young boy who helped to rescue a baby elephant in Zambia. Aaron had been working at a holiday resort when he led a rescue effort to remove a baby elephant who had fallen into a swimming pool and was drowning. Because of his leadership ability and compassionate nature, Aaron was offered a job helping to nurse baby elephants who have been orphaned. Aaron has since become a team leader of elephant keepers at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery. The baby elephant he helped rescue is now recovering from the trauma he suffered.Children in elementary school would enjoy this story of love and compassion for endangered animals.

A beautiful book, both through its story and illustrations. It is based on the true story of an orphaned elephant and the story behind a boy named Aaron and how he became an elephant keeper. Bezi, the small elephant, gets trapped in a swimming pool and Aaron heroically saves her and nurses her back to health. Throughout the story you will find pages of facts about these beautiful creatures and the men that help take care of them. There is even a page of how you can help get involved. I am very excited to read this book to my little one. If only we had more books like this one to teach the next generation to care and how to live in harmony with nature.