The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia (CitizenKid)
CitizenKid Series
What’s inside...
When teenage Aaron discovers a baby elephant nearly drowning in the swimming pool at the guest lodge where he works, he acts quickly and manages to save the animal just in time. The rescued baby is brought to an elephant orphanage for care, and given the name Zambezi. Though Aaron has been raised to think of elephants as dangerous to humans and their crops, on a visit to the orphanage, he learns that illegal poaching of these animals is threatening them with extinction, and the orphanage is trying to prevent that from happening. And when Aaron is offered a job at the orphanage, his life is suddenly transformed, as he discovers a bond of friendship with Zambezi and his lifelong vocation as an elephant keeper. Inspired by the real-life Aaron and Zambezi at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery in Zambia. Three nonfiction spreads interspersed throughout the story explore facts about elephants, ivory poaching and elephant orphanages. The back of the book contains ways children can help endangered wildlife.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the caretakers feel about helping the orphaned elephants?
Why is it important to care for orphaned animals like the elephants in the book?
What are some ways the community can help support the efforts of the Elephant Keepers?
How did the story of the Elephant Keeper change your thoughts on wildlife conservation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own feelings about the importance of caring for animals. Ask open-ended questions that reflect on the moral lessons of the book, encouraging empathy and understanding. Connect the book’s themes to your child’s everyday life by discussing similar acts of care and conservation they might see or partake in. Lastly, praise any insightful responses or thoughts shared by your child throughout the discussion to foster an engaging and positive reading experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: The story vividly illustrates the nurturing relationship between the keeper and the orphaned elephants, showcasing actions and emotions that emphasize empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these lessons by understanding and showing kindness towards others' feelings and needs, whether towards pets, wildlife, or peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the keeper takes care of the elephants, children see the importance of daily commitments and the dedication required to look after someone else.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to take responsibility for their chores, pets, and also in cooperative group activities at school or at home.
Example Lesson: Conservation Awareness
Explanation: The book educates about endangered animals and the human impact on wildlife, encouraging a protective stance towards nature.
Real-World Application: Kids can be inspired to participate in local conservation efforts, like recycling, or learning more about native wildlife and habitats.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Through the challenges faced by the orphaned elephants and their keeper, the narrative extols the virtue of resilience in adversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to persevere through personal challenges, whether in completing a difficult task or managing emotional distress.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The collaboration between the keeper and the community in caring for the elephants underlines the importance of working together to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to value teamwork and seek collaborative solutions in group settings like in a classroom project or during team sports.