Elephants of Africa

Gibbons latest is a handy early reference book about the African elephant. Beginning with where elephants are found, the text moves on to look at early ancestors of the elephant and the specific features that make it unique in the animal world: trunk, tusks, thick skin, large ears, poor eyesight and large molars. Much of the narrative focuses on the social nature of elephants how they live in family groups, raise their young, find food and water and protect themselves. Large titles at the beginning of each new topic and large-print vocabulary words that are defined on the same page make this an easily accessible resource for children.

Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator," according to the Washington Post. Winner of the 2010 Regina Award, she has written and illustrated more than fifty books for Holiday House. She lives in Corinth, Vermont.