Sunday, March 19, 2017

Once Upon An Elephant by Linda Stanek from Arbordale Publishing [Review & Giveaway]



My thoughts: I tend to think of elephants as large animals that roam Africa and as gentle giants of the animal world. I've seen them in zoos and in the circus. Recently, their plight in captivity has been recognized and many have been rescued and located where they can live out the remainder of their lives.

But I recently learned that elephants are a crucial part of survival of other animals and species in the wild. They are what is considered a keystone species.

As they roam they leave deep impressions where their feet impact the earth. In these impressions, small puddles of water remain from which birds and small mammals can drink. They uproot and eat small trees that sprout in the grasslands enabling the grasslands to remain intact for those species that need such.

They use their tusks to dig and then eat the soil for nutrients and in so doing expose salts that other animals need to survive. They also dig down into the dry, hard earth and expose reservoirs of water so other animals can have water to survive.

All this and more is explained in the Arbordale picture book Once Upon An Elephant. Beautiful illustrations show how the elephant is so crucial to survival of other animals. At the end of the book are a couple of pages of additional information and activities for the Creative Mind. This is a trait of Arbordale Publishing's book and one I always look forward to seeing.

Once Upon An Elephant shows us that the elephant is important for other specices to survive and the way the elephant's life impacts these animals. Just another reason for us to help protect these magnificient creatures. The book is written as an enjoyable learning tool for preschoolers through early elementary.

About the book: From stopping wildfires to planting seeds, one animal is the true superhero that keeps the African savanna in balance. Elephants dig to find salt for animals to lick, their deep footprints collect water for everyone to drink, and they eat young trees to keep the forest from overtaking the grasslands. In every season, the elephants are there to protect the savanna and its residents but what would happen if the elephants were only "once upon a time"? Read along to discover the important role this keystone species plays in the savanna and explore what would happen if the elephants vanished. 

GIVEAWAY
Begins March 20
Ends April 17 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA Addresses Only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review of my own opinions which are freely given.

30 comments:

  1. "Saving Kate's Flowers" would be a fine book to have and to review.

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  2. I guess I would tell a child that wild animals need large, protected areas in which to roam, because of the constant modern encroachments of man.

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  3. The Tree That Bear Climbed, many great books

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  4. (1) One other picture book you would like to have- Achoo! Why Pollen Counts
    (2) One picture book you would like reviewed here on Chat With Vera - Amphibians and Reptiles: A Compare and Contrast Book

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  5. We talk about how all creatures around the world need a safe place to live. We can help with it.

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  6. 1. I would also like to have their book Animal Legs.

    2 I'd like for you to review this book: Baby Owl's Rescue.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  7. I guess we would discuss the different requirements that the animals who life in the wild require - food, space, temperature, etc.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  8. I'd like the book "Animals Legs."

    I'd like to see a review/giveaway for "Bat Count."

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

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  9. I think the most important thing to teach them would be that wild animals belong in the wild.

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

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  10. I'd like to read honey girl
    A review of a case of scents would be interesting.

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  11. I think its really important to stress that wild animals are wild. They are not pets, they are not cuddly, they are not like stuffed toys. They should be appreciated from a distance, with respect, and with the understanding that they should not be bothered.

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  12. (1) I would love to have the Saving Kate’s Flowers book to share with my kids.

    (2) I would like the Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! book reviewed here on Chat With Vera.

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  13. I think the most important thing to tell a young child about taking care of wild animals is that they are all needed in the wild and here for a reason so we must make sure we protect them, help them and respect them.

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  14. I'd love to won Bat Count, and I'd love to see Deductive Detective reviewed.

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  15. I think it's best to tell them practical things...how to watch, interact with animals without scaring them or hurting them.

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  16. I'd like Deductive Detective for the kids as that's a skill they need.
    I'd like you to review Deductive Detective to help me decide if I should buy it.

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  17. I like My Half Day and would like to see The Giraffe Who Was Afraid of Heights reviewed.

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  18. I feel it is best to tell children to never try helping such an animal unless an adult is with them.

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  19. I love the illustration style of this book, and it looks really, really good! I'd love to add it to our homeschool library. Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

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  20. Baby Owl’s Rescue and cloud is the two book, that I would choose for my bookworm granddaughter.

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  21. I would love to read Saving Kate’s Flowers to my baby girl!

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  22. I would love to see After A While Crocodile: Alexas Diary reviewed on your website! :)

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  23. I would like to read ABC Safari. Sounds like a fun book!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  24. After While Crocodile- looks like this would be good. But it seems like to me maybe I have read this to my kids before.

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  25. I would choose trees
    and would like you to review penguin lady

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  26. I would like In My Backyard to share with my girls.
    I would like to see Fort on Fourth Street, The: A Story about the Six Simple Machines reviewed on here.

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  27. I think the most important thing is to tell children it that wild animals are not meant to be pets.

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  28. I would love to have moonlight crab count and I would love to review saving Kates flowers

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  29. I would love Deductive Detective for the kids.
    I would also like you to review Deductive Detective.

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  30. Yes, I think it's very important that children know how to take care of animals, both wild and domesticated.

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