A science and nature biography of Cynthia Moss, the elephant expert, by the author of Caldecott Honor book One Cool FriendCynthia Moss was never afraid of BIG things. As a kid, she loved to ride through the countryside on her tall horse. She loved to visit faraway places. And she especially loved to learn about nature and the world around her. So when Cynthia traveled to Africa and met the world’s most ENORMOUS land animal, the African elephant, at Amboseli National Park in Kenya, she knew she had found her life’s work.
Cynthia has spent years learning everything she can about elephants and sharing these fascinating creatures with the world. She is a scientist, nature photographer, and animal-rights activist, fighting against the ivory poachers who kill so many elephants for their tusks.
This lyrical and accessible picture book gives kids a glimpse of what scientists do in the real world and inspires them to dream of accomplishing BIG things.
On sale: September 29, 2015
Age: 5-8 years
Grade: Grades K-3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780399187254
Reading level: Lexile: NC1030L
Toni Buzzeo, a former teacher and media specialist, is now a full time author with many picture books to her credit, including Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten, The Sea Chest, and the Caldecott Honor winner One Cool Friend. She and her husband, Ken, divide their time between Sarasota, Florida and Buxton, Maine.
Holly Berry is a printmaker and acclaimed illustrator of a number of picture books, including Colorful Dreamer, How Mama Brought the Spring (a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book) and The Impudent Rooster (a Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medalist). She received her BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and now lives in Waldoboro, Maine.
Praise for A Passion for ElephantsAn NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12
"Buzzeo's text is . . . enthusiastic and will hold strong readers’ interest, especially alongside Berry's vibrant art. The illustrations make use of African motifs—rendered in bold reds, yellows, and greens—and capture the joys and sorrows of Moss’ work with the African elephants."—
Booklist "[Buzzeo] introduces a real-life elephant scientist who has combined her passion for studying these big animals with activism around the world for a big cause: banning the sale of ivory."—
Kirkus Reviews "Drives home the message about taking on important, difficult tasks and causes."—
Publishers Weekly
