Elephants of Africa by Gail Gibbons. Holiday House, 2008/2021. 9780823421688
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Hardcover nonfiction
What did you like about the book? This reprint of the classic Gail Gibbons nonfiction book will be a big hit with modern readers. Illustrations are detailed watercolor and ink. The information is thoroughly researched and expansive. Topics run from what elephants eat to where they live, how they see, hear and eat, what trunks and tusks are used for and what happens when danger (a lion) appears. The pages are a bit crowded but it is a great volume to either use for school research or just give to a child to absorb.
Anything you didn’t like about it? For ease of use in research, it might have been nice to have an index in order to pinpoint quickly where specific information is in the book. Minor detail, however, as it’s easy to flip through this picture book and find what’s needed.
To whom would you recommend this book? Personally, I love The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell (part of the Scientists in the Field series) but Elephants of Africa would be a great pairing for those who want just the facts.
Who should buy this book? School, elementary school libraries, public libraries, elephant lovers
Where would you shelve it? Nonfiction (599.67)
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No, you’ve probably seen the older version already but keep it in mind for recommendations
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Pam Watts, Head of Children’s Services, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: October 31, 2021
Youth Services Book Review 
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