The Secret Elephant: Inspired by a True Story of Friendship
by Ellan Rankin (Author)
A remarkable friendship between a baby elephant and her keeper shows that kindness is never forgotten. Inspired by a true story, this uplifting picture book is a perfect read for animal lovers of all ages.
While carefree monkeys dangle in trees, powerful lions quietly sunbathe, and majestic giraffes walk back and forth, a terrible war looms on the horizon and changes everything. People stop coming to the zoo and most of the animals huddle together with their mates in their different enclosures-- except for one baby elephant that was all alone.
As bombs shake the ground and flashes of orange light burn across the sky, the solitary elephant grows more and more afraid and confused. Her keeper understood and spends as much time with her elephant as she can. And when it becomes impossible to stay in the enclosure, the keeper makes the daring choice to bring the elephant home.
But it's hard to hide an elephant, even a baby one, and it gets even harder as the elephant grows. After a time, the elephant is ordered back to the zoo. Still, the kind-hearted keeper could not abandon her friend, so she sets up house right alongside the elephant for the remainder of the war. Many years later, when the keeper no longer works at the zoo, she returns to visit her friend. Her friend, much older now as well, remembers the keeper and her brave kindness.
Inspired by a remarkable true story at the Belfast Zoo during WWII perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan and the award-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers.
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School Library Journal
Gr 2-5--The astonishing true story of an Irish zookeeper who concealed a baby elephant in her home during World War II, told, however, from the perspective of the elephant herself. When the zoo's tranquility is shattered by the turmoil of war, the zookeeper makes the brave decision to sneak the elephant home with her each night, providing a safe spot away from the noise and confusion. Amid the heavy subject matter, there are touches of whimsy and real affection between the zookeeper and her unusual roommate. Rankin avoids the pitfalls of writing in an animal's voice, conveying straightforward innocence. As an illustrator, she brings warmth when appropriate and darkness when necessary. Though relatively short and presented in standard picture book format, there is enough realism in the text and illustrations to communicate the horrors of war, and young readers could be disturbed by talk of bombings and displacement. Supplementary material about the real zookeeper can be found at the back of the book, filling in the details of this little-known moment in history. This valuable work would find a readership in a robust public or school library collection. VERDICT A well-done portrait of one woman's quiet act of wartime courage, recommended for larger collections.--Kate Newcombe
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
@ellan rankin
JUV002080 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Elephants
JUV016040 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | Europe
Zoo keepers
Zoos
Picture books
Elephants
Animal fiction
