Thirsty, Thirsty Elephants

As drought dries up the usual sources of water for elephants in Tanzania, Little Calf's grandmother relies on her memory to lead the elephants to a new source. It's a hot, dry day in Tanzania. Grandma elephant stops munching leaves. Thirsty, she lifts her trunk high and takes a deep SNIFF! Grandma smells water in the distance and sets off. The accessible, fact-packed language continues, as does the gentle humor provided by Little Calf, who is still learning how to effectively use her trunk. The story is not without suspense, as place after place offers little or no water to the herd that follows Grandma. Little Calf even collapses at one point, but her mother revives her quickly and cleverly, keeping her shaded after that. Colorful, mixed-media illustrations are a perfect match to the thoughtful text. Details range from the parched ground to tropical birds; from distant gazelles to the up-close, leathery skin of elephants in many positions and moods. According to the author's note, the tale is based on a hypothesis that the reason one particular elephant herd managed so well during a 1994 drought rested squarely on their elderly leader. She apparently used her childhood memories of surviving an earlier drought to lead her herd to that same, still-available watering hole. Further elephant facts and resources round out the backmatter. A fresh, winning blend of natural science, simple storyline, tenderness, and perseverance.--Kirkus Reviews, starred review A herd of African elephants searches for water on the dry savanna in Markle (Toad Weather) and VandenBroeck's (Whiskers, Tails & Wings) handsome picture book. Based on a true story of a Tanzanian herd that survived a 1994 drought thanks to its leader, named Big Mama by researchers, this account describes how Grandma elephant, like Big Mama, locates water for her charges. Grandma's thirst stirs a memory of a dry time long ago, when she was a baby, Markle writes. She remembers another watering hole and sets off to find it. On the way, the herd munches leaves, digs up the cracked surface of an old watering hole, and even uses saliva to cool the youngest. Realistic watercolor and acrylic illustrations alternate between close-ups of the parched parade of pachyderms and the wider landscape, painted in layered, textured hues. Readers will breathe a sigh of relief when the watering hole finally appears and the herd frolics and drinks its fill. This tale of a lifesaving trek wraps up with an author's note about Big Mama, additional elephant facts, and suggested resources.--Publishers Weekly