A Passion for Elephants

Picture biography, 32 pages. The story of Cynthia Moss who lived among African elephants and devoted her life to studying them. Published in 2015 by Dial Books.

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Book Recap

What is a woman to do with a philosophy degree from Smith College and whose first job is writing and taking pictures for Newseek magazine? 

Study elephants, of course! 

Cynthia Moss, a fascinating person, co-established the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Tanazania with Harvey Croze in 1972.  Nearly fifty years later, Moss continues to study and live amongst the elephants.

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Learning Suggestions

Family Read Aloud Time
A Passion for Elephants is a visually interesting book with each illustration a collage of either Moss' life or of elephant families. If your child is interested in all things elephant, then reading this book together is an excellent idea!

Learning at Home
If you teach your children how to write a book report, A Passion for Elephants is a good choice for 8-10 year-olds. Also, Cynthia Moss is a great candidate for writing an historical person report.

Classroom Resource
Elephantics, out of Vancouver, B.C., offers a free elementary age curriculum about elephants and the ivory trade. What is doesn't include is a supplemental book list -- add this one to your own list.

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Toni Buzzeo

Buzzeo writes children's picture and board books, as well as books for teachers and librarians -- my kind of author!  Her "Our Librarian" series is funny - Our Librarian Won't Tell Us Anything - and informative - But I Learned it on the Internet!

Holly Berry

Berry illustrates books, creates block prints, and teaches at the University of Southern Maine, as well as from her own studio. Her most recent children's book illustrations is Kristen Fullton's Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and Her Star-Spangled Creation.  

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