An Elephant's Tail (E-Book)

On a bright, beautiful day in Africa, Lee O the young lion cub, Bongo the baboon, Hevi the hippo calf, Vile the vulture and Manji the little meerkat set out to rescue a child who has wandered away from the lodge and has been taken by the hyenas! After following Lee O’s ‘big plan’, where he learns to listen to his own heart, they manage to rescue the boy from the hyena cave, but on the way back to the lodge get trapped in an out-of-control veld fire! They risk the fire to get the boy to his mother, and just as it seems as if they will make it, a crashing sound erupts through the smoking bushes and a baby elephant charges straight at them! As Lee O faces the elephant, Vile tells him that the little elephant’s tail has been burned in the fire. They have no idea how to get the elephant to the humans for help, until the elephant follows the little boy...who follows Bongo...and they all head for the lodge! After waiting up for his father, the head ranger, who is out fighting the fire, Michael falls asleep. He is woken by a child’s call and follows the noise, only to discover five little animals in the dark, protecting the missing boy and a burned baby elephant. Michael is treated as a hero for saving the life of the boy and the elephant calf, but as he falls asleep again that night, he knows that it is the strange group of little animals who are the real heroes!

An Elephant’s Tail offers an exciting way for children to become aware of wildlife conservation, and has been enthusiastically received by parents, educators and especially young readers. It is the first book in the cool, hip Animal Adventures in Africa series, which is comprised of books, a clothing range and an interactive website, aimed at children between 8 – 11 years old. Each story in the series touches on principles of honesty, integrity and loyalty, and in addition to the engaging tale contained within the pages, Animal Adventures in Africa helps children become aware of the vital role they have to play in wildlife protection, in a very entertaining way. Matthews believes that many wildlife conservation programmes are focused on saving the natural resources of the earth for future generations, but children need to participate in this as much as possible, from an early age. Children need to become aware that the future of the planet lies in their hands - and that they have the power to change their world.

Book Reviews

“Beautifully presented and wonderfully written.” - Wildlife Action Group

“Great read for children!” - East Coast Radio

"What an exquisite book!" - Books & Books

“It is an enchanting story with beautiful illustrations!” - Primary News

“Author Elle Matthews has managed to capture the essence of a truly African tale in a brilliant book based in a game reserve!” - Living & Loving