Download or read book The Elephants in My Backyard written by Rajiv Surendra and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2016-11-08 with total page 145 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rajiv Surendra was filming Mean Girls, playing the beloved rapping mathlete Kevin Gnapoor, when a cameraman insisted he read Yann Martel's Life of Pi. So begins his "lovely and human" (Jenny Lawson, author of Furiously Happy) tale of obsessively pursuing a dream, overcoming failure, and finding meaning in life. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I found myself standing dangerously close to the edge of a cliff. Far below me was an incredible abyss with no end in sight. I could turn back and safely return to where I had come from, or I could throw caution to the wind, lift my arms up into the air . . . and jump.” —From The Elephants in My Backyard What happens when you spend ten years obsessively pursuing a dream, and then, in the blink of an eye, you learn that you have failed, that the dream will not come true? In 2003, Rajiv Surendra was filming Mean Girls, playing the beloved rapping mathlete Kevin Gnapoor, when a cameraman insisted he read Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. Mesmerized by all the similarities between Pi and himself—both are five-foot-five with coffee-colored complexions, both share a South Indian culture, both lived by a zoo—when Rajiv learns that Life of Pi will be made into a major motion picture he is convinced that playing the title role is his destiny. In a great leap of faith Rajiv embarks on a quest to embody the sixteen-year-old Tamil schoolboy. He quits university and buys a one-way ticket from Toronto to South India. He visits the sacred stone temples of Pondicherry, he travels to the frigid waters off the coast of rural Maine, and explores the cobbled streets of Munich. He befriends Yann Martel, a priest, a castaway, an eccentric old woman, and a pack of Tamil schoolboys. He learns how to swim, to spin wool, to keep bees, and to look a tiger in the eye. All the while he is really learning how to dream big, to fail, to survive, to love, and to become who he truly is. Rajiv Surendra captures the uncertainty, heartache, and joy of finding ones place in the world with sly humor and refreshing honesty. The Elephants in My Backyard is not a journey of goals and victories, but a story of process and determination. It is a spellbinding and profound book for anyone who has ever failed at something and had to find a new path through life.

Download or read book Some of My Favorite People are Elephants written by Charles B. Roegiers and published by Fulton Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2023-07-21 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some of My Favorite People Are Elephants is a collection of short stories chronicling the author's four years spent traveling with a traditional American circus in the mid-1980s--first as a musician, then (quite unintentionally) as an acrobat and flying trapeze artist. Each short story playfully hints at a life lesson learned by a carefree young man on his unusual journey to adulthood.

Download or read book Elephants on the Edge written by G. A. Bradshaw and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2009-10-06 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “At times sad and at times heartwarming . . . Helps us to understand not only elephants, but all animals, including ourselves” (Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation). Drawing on accounts from India to Africa and California to Tennessee, and on research in neuroscience, psychology, and animal behavior, G. A. Bradshaw explores the minds, emotions, and lives of elephants. Wars, starvation, mass culls, poaching, and habitat loss have reduced elephant numbers from more than ten million to a few hundred thousand, leaving orphans bereft of the elders who would normally mentor them. As a consequence, traumatized elephants have become aggressive against people, other animals, and even one another; their behavior is comparable to that of humans who have experienced genocide, other types of violence, and social collapse. By exploring the elephant mind and experience in the wild and in captivity, Bradshaw bears witness to the breakdown of ancient elephant cultures. But, she reminds us, all is not lost. People are working to save elephants by rescuing orphaned infants and rehabilitating adult zoo and circus elephants, using the same principles psychologists apply in treating humans who have survived trauma. Bradshaw urges us to support these and other models of elephant recovery and to solve pressing social and environmental crises affecting all animals—humans included. “This book opens the door into the soul of the elephant. It will really make you think about our relationship with other animals.” —Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation

Download or read book The Elephants Come Home written by Kim Tomsic and published by Chronicle Books. This book was released on 2021-05-18 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The amazing true story of a herd of elephants, the man who saved them, and the miracle of love that brought them home. One day in 1999, Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby hear that a herd of wild African elephants need a new home. They welcome the elephants to their wildlife sanctuary—Thula Thula—with open arms. But the elephants are much less sure they want to stay. How will Lawrence prove to them that they are safe and loved? What follows is a gorgeously illustrated real-life story of a friendship . . . and the story of the miraculous way that love given freely will return—greater and more wonderful than it began. • TOUCHING ANIMAL FRIENDSHIPS: Owen and Mzee, Tarra and Bella, Rescue and Jessica . . . touching true stories of the emotional bonds possible between species are charming, and speak to the limitlessness of love. • ELEPHANT APPEAL: Elephants are one of the most fascinating and charming wild animals in all of nature. This heartwarming true story will intrigue and inspire children, and turn even the most reluctant readers into elephant enthusiasts. • CONSERVATION THEME: This book tells the true story of caring for one of the world's most beloved endangered animals: the African elephant. This book is a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance of preserving endangered species and their environments. • ENGAGING NONFICTION: There's no better way to get readers hooked on factual books than to offer them real-life stories with heart and meaning. • STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K–2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like conservation and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators. Perfect for: • Kindergarten and elementary school teachers • Parents and grandparents • Librarians • Lovers of animals, wildlife, and the natural world • Zoo and natural history museumgoers

Download or read book Elephant Company written by Vicki Croke and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "At the onset of World War II, [Billy] Williams formed Elephant Company and was instrumental in defeating the Japanese in Burma and saving refugees, including on his own 'Hannibal Trek, ' [becoming] a media sensation during the war, telling reporters that the elephants did more for him than he was ever able to do for them"--

Download or read book Elephant Secret written by Eric Walters and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2018-08-28 with total page 357 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Each plotline has something in it to challenge readers . . . Cliffhangers and elephants will keep readers engaged”—from the award-winning author (Kirkus Reviews). We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival—a woolly mammoth. Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly—who isn’t actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant—and human—behavior. “Walters’ depiction of the bond that exists between Sam and her elephants is captivating. The elephants, who are presented as majestic and intelligent creatures with humanlike characteristics and rich emotional lives, will leave readers awestruck.” —School Library Journal “Walters interweaves his beautiful family story with a thorough description of elephant behavior—their intellect, compassion, and loyalty—and factual scientific possibilities of cloning an extinct species . . . A must-read for anyone with an interest in elephants and their welfare.” —Booklist “Walters packs in numerous details about these magnificent and highly intelligent creatures while raising complex ethical questions regarding humans’ relationship with animals.” —Publishers Weekly

Download or read book Twenty one Elephants and Still Standing written by April Jones Prince and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This book was released on 2005 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Upon completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, P.T. Barnum and his twenty- one elephants parade across to prove to everyone that the bridge is safe.

Download or read book Small as an Elephant written by Jennifer Jacobson and published by Candlewick Press. This book was released on 2011 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abandoned by his mother in an Acadia National Park campground, Jack tries to make his way back to Boston before anyone figures out what is going on, with only a small toy elephant for company.

Download or read book Love Life and Elephants written by Daphne Sheldrick and published by Picador. This book was released on 2013-06-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Astonishing...You may be tempted after the last page to sell all your possessions and join [Sheldrick's] cause."—The Boston Globe The first person to successfully raise newborn elephants, Dame Daphne Sheldrick has saved countless African animals from certain death. In this indelible and deeply heartfelt memoir, Daphne tells of her remarkable career as a conservationist and introduces us to a whole host of orphans—including Bushy, a liquid-eyed antelope, and the majestic elephant Eleanor. Yet she also shares the incredible human story of her relationship with David Sheldrick, the famous Tsavo National Park warden whose death inspired the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the orphans' nursery, where Daphne works to this day. From her tireless campaign to preserve Kenya's wildlife to the astonishing creatures she befriended along the way, Love, Life, and Elephants is alive with compassion and humor, providing rare insight into the life of one of the world's most fascinating women.

Download or read book Strictly No Elephants written by Lisa Mantchev and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-10-27 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale." --The New York Times Book Review "Sweet and affirming." --Kirkus Reviews When the local Pet Club won't admit a boy's tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution--one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn't understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

Download or read book Swimming with Elephants written by Sarah Bamford Seidelmann and published by Conari Press. This book was released on 2017-10-01 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After two decades in the study and practice of medicine, Sarah Seidelmann took a three month sabbatical to search for a way to feel good again. Having witnessed human suffering early in her career and within her own family, she longed for a way to address more than just the physical needs of her patients and to live in a lighter, more conscious way. Swimming with Elephants tells the eccentric, sometimes poignant, and occasionally hilarious experience of a working mother undergoing a bewildering vocational shift from physician to shamanic healer. During that tumultuous period of answering her call, Sarah met an elephant who would become an important spirit companion on her journey, had bones thrown for her by a shaman in South Africa, and traveled to India for an ancient Hindu pilgrimage, where she received the blessing she had been longing for. Ultimately, she discovered an entirely different way of healing, one that she had always aspired to, and that enabled her to help those who are suffering.

Download or read book Elephants written by Steve Bloom and published by . This book was released on 2015-08-17 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Steve Bloom's breathtaking photos carry this book and will keep it being reread. Familiar animals, appearing newly grand. --Chicago Tribune

Download or read book The Elephant Thief written by Jane Kerr and published by Scholastic Inc.. This book was released on 2018-03-27 with total page 243 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on real events, this is a miraculous story of a boy who befriends a famous elephant during a race against time and villains! When young pickpocket Danny accidentally buys an elephant at an auction, he finds himself swept up on an unforgettable adventure. Offered a job by a zookeeper, all he has to do is ride Maharajah from Edinburgh to Manchester in one week.Everyone in the country is watching, even the Queen, but the journey soon proves to be filled with drama and danger. A rival zookeeper will stop at nothing to make sure they fail, and soon Danny's shady connections from his past threaten to overturn the mission...Can Danny win the trust and friendship of the elephant and guide him home? Can the two of them stick together through the odds and win the day?

Download or read book This Is Our Baby Born Today written by Varsha Bajaj and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2019-09-10 with total page 30 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A baby is born and the world rejoices! With a loving mama, a trumpeting herd, curious cousins, and even some dancing peacocks heralding this little one’s arrival, it is apparent that the joy and wonder a new baby brings is shared by all! Varsha Bajaj’s lilting prose and Eliza Wheeler’s enchanting scenes of a wide-eyed baby elephant and its smitten family celebrate the importance of family and community in every child’s life. Set in the lush wilds of India, this is an endearing, beautifully illustrated tribute to little ones getting their first warm welcome to the world.

Download or read book My Elephant is Blue written by Melinda Szymanik and published by Presbyterian Publishing Corp. This book was released on 2023-04-11 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What will help when the blues leave you feeling as though you’re crushed beneath an elephant? Will a smile do the trick? A gentle nudge? Chocolate? A walk? Can anyone—or anything—make the elephant go away? Warm, empathetic, hopeful, and often funny, My Elephant Is Blue is an inviting exploration of the experience of living under the weight of sadness. A reading guide with discussion questions based on the book, activities to help children explore its themes, and a list of resources for more information will be available April 2023 at flyawaybooks.com/resources.

Download or read book The Elephant s Dilemma written by Jon Bostock and published by Lioncrest Publishing. This book was released on 2020-07-04 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: You know the moments of inspiration that come out of nowhere? Maybe it's an idea for a product that will change people's lives, or a way to solve a conflict. No matter the epiphany, this surge of excitement is often as fleeting as the good ideas we abandon too quickly. But what if we took a chance? What if we used our momentum to see our ideas through? Our ancestors used their ideas for change. They took big risks to improve the lives of future generations, doing whatever it took with few alternatives. Now it's our turn to take the risks and change the world, but we're comfortable and complacent-even when we shouldn't be. In The Elephant's Dilemma, Jon Bostock shares how he took a chance with his fascinating story of business success. He shows how we're chained to our current reality, and what can happen when we break free and reimagine our future. His book is an urgent battle cry asking us to step forward, live a more fulfilled life, and leave a legacy for future generations.

Download or read book Tilly and Tank written by Jay Fleck and published by Tundra Books. This book was released on 2018-01-09 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A sweet and funny picture book that looks at the blossoming friendship between an elephant and a tank and encourages kids to make friends, not war. Tilly the elephant is taking her morning stroll when she notices something strange on the horizon. Is it another elephant? The newcomer has a trunk and tail, but he's a very curious shade of green. Tank, on the other hand, notices an odd-looking creature approaching. It has a barrel and a turret, like Tank, but is a curious shade of blue. Is it a new enemy tank? Tank's alarm sounds and he goes BOOM, scaring Tilly off. But when Tilly returns with a flower, Tank begins to understand that she might not be an enemy at all. Tilly and Tank is a heartwarming tale of friendship, peace and understanding by debut author/illustrator Jay Fleck.