Sam Usher Books

This is a beautiful picture book that follows a herd of African elephants as they journey to find water in the African savannah.

The Matriarch leads the herd and tells of times gone by and stories of how the landscape used to be. Soon, the story moves on to the invasion of humans and how they drove some of the other animals away from their natural habitat by building, making loud noises and causing destruction of the landscape.

The threat from poachers forces the herd to move on, still searching for the elusive water. As the situation looks bleak for the herd, Grandma Elephant smells that familiar smell that she was taught to look for when she was a calf and the elephants arrive at the watering hole.

Told in gentle rhyming couplets and accompanied by wonderful illustrations, this is a heartfelt story told in a way to help young children understand some of the challenges faced by Africa’s majestic giants.

Accompanying the story, readers can delve into a fantastic non-fiction section at the back of the book. A non-chronological report, information about how to care for elephants and the work of wildlife rangers, and messages about conservation efforts allow the reader a greater understanding of the plight of these animals. Readers are also encouraged to be a local wildlife hero.

This book will be great to use in a primary schools. The range of mini texts types gives a rounded approach to the topic and offers superb model texts to use in the classroom. The stunning illustrations will be ideal for initiating discussion and deeper thinking around the themes explored. The book also links to topics of conservation, habitats and animal survival. I can’t wait to share this with my class.