School Library Journal Starred Review (Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 3-6Roy follows her masterly Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands with a stunning look at how a newborn elephant matures into a capable member of the herd. The work adroitly covers anatomy, environment, family life, and other topics. Roy emphasizes how elephants, with their "it takes a village" approach to rearing young, rely on their intricate social structure for survival. Large illustrations of a calf romping, splashing, and marching with the herd are interspersed with captivating diagrams and smaller images that expand on the lucid text, making clever use of visual metaphors (for example, a picture of a pocketknife demonstrates the many ways an elephant uses its trunk). The young elephant cuts a cuddly figure, but Roy never anthropomorphizes. Her deftly shaded, earth-tone illustrations effectively bring to life everything from the dusty African savanna to the wrinkled skin of the elephants. In-depth back matter lists age-appropriate websites, films, and books. The scientific articles Roy cites and her author's note about her trip to Kenya are a testament to her meticulous research. VERDICT Though materials on pachyderms are plentiful, this stellar addition stands out from the crowd; a must-have for collections serving elementary school students.Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

Elaborate watercolor paintings and scientific diagrams accompany detailed information about African elephants. The bold, sparse, poetic text that appears intermittently throughout the book clarifies the fact that elephants, like humans, need many years of socialization to become fully realized. The rest of the text is dense and set in two textbooklike columns of reasonably leaded small print. This text goes beyond elephant upbringing, delving into the hows and whys of elephant anatomy. A sophisticated vocabulary and some understanding of basic science are prerequisites for engaging with most of the text. For example: "A bouquet of aromas made of tiny odor molecules travels a few feet up her extra-long nasal cavities to land on supersized nasal folds that are covered with highly sensitive receptor cells." (Overall, readers might find themselves wishing the sentences were rather shorter.) Some of the final pages give a good summary of elephants and ecology—both local and global. The frequent illustrations are arresting and informative, ranging from broad brush strokes that show elephants in action to the humorous, carefully detailed depiction of a parodied Swiss army knife that demonstrates all the uses of an elephant's trunk. The newborn baby elephant, surrounded by surprisingly beautiful ribbons of afterbirth material, is a stunning blend of natural science and art. Solid information for wildlife enthusiasts, enhanced by thoughtful artwork. (author's note, sources, acknowledgements) (Informational picture book. 9-12)

Horn Book

In detailed accounts that integrate descriptions of anatomy, behavior, and development, Roy explains how a baby African elephant learns the skills necessary to survive in the wild. Roy's dynamic illustrations are masterful: bold strokes that provide definition to the elephants' wrinkled skin also skillfully convey movement, while diagrams and sketches illustrate interior and exterior organs. An author's note details Roy's visit to Kenya to learn about elephants. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a richly informative follow-up to Neighborhood Sharks, Roy uses a baby African elephant-s efforts to adapt to the world as a springboard to discuss the characteristics that make these creatures so distinctive. Roy-s forceful watercolors convey a sense of movement and energy, with sweeping lines in violet, gray, brown, and pale blue. Interspersed diagrams help readers get a better sense of elephants- anatomy (including whimsical touches such as comparing a trunk to a Swiss army knife outfitted with a snorkel, trumpet, shovel, and more), while the central narrative dives into how the animals communicate, stay cool, and more. Immersive illustrations and careful attention to detail in both the text and art combine to create a rewarding study of a remarkable animal. Ages 7-11. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Sept.)

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Starred Review Roy's skill in bringing meaningful nonfiction to a young audience was recognized with her Sibert Honor Book Neighborhood Sharks (2014). Her outstanding new offering allows readers to walk alongside the newest addition to an African elephant herd and learn just what it takes to be an elephant. Stylized watercolors and scientific diagrams mingle on the page as Roy reveals a baby female elephant's journey to adulthood through a mixture of simple narrative and more detailed, scholarly text. Told through a series of "lessons," the book starts with the simple act of walking and zooms in on the elephant's leg bones and fatty, shock-absorbing heel pad. Now able to move with the herd, the baby takes in the many smells around her, and Roy unlocks the secrets of her trunk, which is not only a super sniffer but also a strong and versatile appendage that gets likened to a Swiss Army knife. As the book progresses, Roy holds readers' attention with her approachable writing style and astonishing statistics. Diet, communication, herd dynamics, cooling techniques, and charge attacks (first learned by playfully chasing birds) are all touched upon. Roy also explains elephants' importance as a keystone species, and in a heartfelt author's note, she speaks to humanity's impact on and responsibility toward this magnificent animal. An exceptional and arresting resource for the primary grades.