The World's Loneliest Elephant: Based on the True Story of Kaavan and His Rescue

by Ralph Fletcher (Author) Naoko Stoop (Illustrator)

The World's Loneliest Elephant: Based on the True Story of Kaavan and His Rescue
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

A heartwarming true story about Kaavan the elephant, his unlikely bond with singer and activist Cher, his rescue by veterinarian and animal rights crusader Dr. Amir Khalil, and relocation to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kaavan grew up in captivity in a Pakistani zoo. For years, he lived in poor conditions with only one friend, an elephant named Saheli. After Saheli died, Kaavan was overcome by grief and his health worsened. When animal rights activists around the world were alerted to Kaavan's deteriorating condition, Dr. Amir Khalil visited the elephant to see what could be done. ​Thanks to the virality of Kaavan's story--and with the publicity and fundraising efforts of pop culture icon Cher--Dr. Khalil was able to orchestrate moving Kaavan to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, where he now lives with other elephants. Because of the care and help of so many, Kaavan is no longer the world's loneliest elephant. And that is the best news of all.

Select format:
Hardcover
$17.99

Kirkus Reviews

Sad, sublime, and surely something special.

Review quotes

Praise for The World's Loneliest Elephant:

"Beautifully told.... The illustrations—gouache and acrylic on wood—feature bands of grain below the painted surface that give a hazy beauty to the pages and a remarkable amount of texture to Kaavan's skin.... Sad, sublime, and surely something special."—Kirkus Reviews
Ralph Fletcher

Ralph Fletcher is the author of a wide range of books for young readers, from picture books (The Sandman) to novels (Fig Pudding), from memoirs (Marshfield Dreams) to writing advice (Guy-Write). He also teaches workshops on poetry and writing. Mr. Fletcher lives with his family in Lee, New Hampshire. www.ralphfletcher.com

Naoko Stoop's love of drawing began when she was a young girl growing up in Japan. She now lives and paints in Brooklyn, New York, using found materials like plywood and brown paper bags as her canvases. The author-illustrator of Red Knit Cap Girl and Sing With Me! Action Songs Every Child Should Know​, Naoko hopes her art will inspire the child within everyone. Follow Naoko on Instagram @naokostoop and Twitter @naokosstoop. www.redknitcapgirl.com

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780316364591
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Christy Ottaviano Books-Little Brown and Hachette
Publication date
October 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV000000 - Juvenile Fiction | General
Library of Congress categories
Elephants
Animal rights
Captive elephants
Cher

Subscribe to our delicious e-newsletter!