Elephants Books

This enjoyable read is a funny politically minded book by one of the funniest writers of our time.

Stanley Bing is one of the funniest writers of this century. If you are slightly political, slightly crazed and enjoy a great laugh, buy all his books and if possible the audio version.

I learned that not all people are mean, and that they do not hurt other people. I think that Tippu learned that as well.

I liked the book because it took the approach of teaching an audience to appreciate animals, especially elephants. The fact that the author used baby animals to help convey a nice message that made me feel good about my stand on saving endangered species. The stork is a hero.

"To See the Elephant, The Civil War Letters of John A. McKee (1861-1865)," James R. James, illustrated by Darrell L. Combs, Leathers Publishing: Leawood, KS, (1998), ISBN: 1-890622-49-4; LOC: 98-67522.

In a world of e-mail and networks, we need to remember that letter writing is an act of faith. Faith that our correspondence will be dispatched and delivered, read and answered. Not simply a stream of bytes deleted more quickly than keyboarded. A letter, composed at a teakwood escritoire or within a sodden pup tent, is an out-calling, awaiting not an echo, but a thoughtful reply. Letters crafted not through plastic keys or ball point pens, but with quills and inks, on coarse paper. Such were the letters of John A. McKee (44th Ohio Vol. Infantry, later 8th Ohio Vol. Cavalry).

A common soldier, but no ordinary man, McKee saw and told engagingly of daily hardships: soldiers paying for uniforms; writing home to have boots made; scant wages, long withheld; usually prompt post, even if family and friends had to send postage money. The randomness of shot and shell - inaccurate, ill-timed --, men and horses blood-drenching fields, hanged bodies -- justice undone -, friends and fellows cut down, wounded, captured, lost. The elephant seen. Told sentiently, without sentimentality. The occasional respite - evening galas, young ladies in formal settings -, on the eve of bloody battles, tell of a kind of war soon to be crushed beneath mechanization. A kinder, simpler war, certainly not. But a war made even more poignant because family and friends could visit the troops at the edge of the battlefield and watch the carnage spread out before them. McKee's vocabulary, grammar, and constructions show him to have been a bright and thoughtful young man. Describing troop celebrations following the surrender of General Lee, McKee wrote, "in the absence of artillery the men procured two anvils and up to this time have used about 16 lbs. of powder with no sign of cessation at least until the appearance of the small hours." James R.. James, a nationally respected court administrator, has not intruded on the letters or the dispatches through which the story is told. He offers brief explanations and places the letters in the context of time and place; the descriptions and tone are authentic of the times. Some words and phrases out of general currency, but known to Civil War buffs and historians, could have been explained. "Soger boys," "housewife," bounty paid at mustering out, Butternuts, `nothing short of ropes," merited explanatory notes. A map or two would have been helpful. The casual reader is sent off to dictionaries and companion volumes. Of course, whenever our reading sends us off for further information, the benefit is ours.

So has Mr. James benefitted us and the memory of John McKee. They have handed on to us the words and thoughts of a young man caught up in a nation rent. By getting these letters to a wider readership, Mr. James has honored not only John McKee but his friends of silent pen. The line drawings of Col. Darrell L. Combs, USMC (ret.). In the volume, complement the letters. They are simple, straight-forward, and telling. The text is well-served by the images.

This modest printing has not been the output of a vanity press; it has been a press to preserve thoughts, words, and cares, written not in vain. Letters preserved may not be letters of value. These are. The writer, John McKee, was a perceptive participant in a western campaign of the American Civil War. His letters speak to us of duty, privation, inept leaders, missing arms and armaments. A succession of holders judged the letters worthy to pass down. When you read them, you will agree. Thank you, Col. Combs. Thank you, Jim James. Thank you, John McKee.

S.D.Conti

"To See the Elephant, The Civil War Letters of John A. McKee (1861-1865)," James R. James, illustrated by Darrell L. Combs, 98-67522.

In a world of e-mail and networks, we need to remember that letter writing is an act of faith. Faith that our correspondence will be dispatched and delivered, read and answered. Not simply a stream of bytes deleted more quickly than keyboarded. A letter, composed at a teakwood escritoire or within a sodden pup tent, is an out-calling, awaiting not an echo, but a thoughtful reply. Letters crafted not through plastic keys or ball point pens, but with quills and inks, on coarse paper. Such were the letters of John A. McKee (44th Ohio Vol. Infantry, later 8th Ohio Vol. Cavalry).

A common soldier, but no ordinary man, McKee saw writing home to have boots made; scant wages, long withheld; usually prompt post, even if family and friends had to send postage money. The randomness of shot and shell - inaccurate, ill-timed --, men and horses blood-drenching fields, hanged bodies -- justice undone -, friends and fellows cut down, wounded, captured, lost. The elephant seen. Told sentiently, without sentimentality. The occasional respite - evening galas, young ladies in formal settings -, on the eve of bloody battles, tell of a kind of war soon to be crushed beneath mechanization. A kinder, simpler war, certainly not. But a war made even more poignant because family and friends could visit the troops at the edge of the battlefield and watch the carnage spread out before them. McKee's vocabulary, grammar, and constructions show him to have been a bright and thoughtful young man. Describing troop celebrations following the surrender of General Lee, McKee wrote, "in the absence of artillery the men procured two anvils and up to this time have used about 16 lbs. of powder with no sign of cessation at least until the appearance of the small hours."

James R. James, a nationally respected court administrator, has not intruded on the letters or the dispatches through which the story is told. He offers brief explanations and places the letters in the context of time and place; the descriptions and tone are authentic of the times. Some words and phrases out of general currency, but known to Civil War buffs and historians, could have been explained. "Soger boys," "housewife," bounty paid at mustering out, Butternuts, `nothing short of ropes,' merited explanatory notes. A map or two would have been helpful. The casual reader is sent off to dictionaries and companion volumes. Of course, whenever our reading sends us off for further information, the benefit is ours.

So has Mr. James benefitted us and the memory of John McKee. They have handed on to us the words and thoughts of a young man caught up in a nation rent. By getting these letters to a wider readership, Mr. James has honored not only John McKee but his friends of silent pen. The line drawings of Col. Darrell L. Combs, USMC (ret.). In the volume, complement the letters. They are simple, straight-forward, and telling. The text is well-served by the images.

This modest printing has not been the output of a vanity press; it has been a press to preserve thoughts, words, and cares, written not in vain. Letters preserved may not be letters of value. These are. The writer, John McKee, was a perceptive participant in a western campaign of the American Civil War. His letters speak to us of duty, privation, inept leaders, missing arms and armaments. A succession of holders judged the letters worthy to pass down. When you read them, you will agree. Thank you, Col. Combs. Thank you, Jim James. Thank you, John

The Toucan, the Tiger, & the Elephant: How the Tiger Got His Meal is a delightful picturebook set in a mystical jungle where three friends live: the Toucan, the Tiger, and the Elephant. Featuring involved, lengthy text ideal for young readers who are ready for chapter books, The Toucan, the Tiger, & the Elephant follows the three animals' plan to serve Tiger a tasty meal - by hunting and ambushing a cruel alligator who has been tormenting the forest! Author Erin Kathleen MacKenzie considers her picturebook to be inspired by Jesus Christ, though there are few overtly religious themes present in this timeless story of friendship.

A stunningly beautifully illustrated, imaginative children's story-- a story the author told over-and-over to her daughter. Assured that they won't be eaten, the animals in the jungle use team work to help the carnivorous tiger to find breakfast and leave the jungle a better place. Each animal's personality and contributions to the effort is creatively descriptive and developed. A sweet angel is in each drawing watching over the jungle. My three-year-old enjoys the game of finding all the angels. The angel ties into the story at the end when an anonymous voice reassures "all the creatures, large and small, of comfort in exchange for faith." An uplifting ending. Was it the angel? Your child can decide.

This book has all of the stories from my childhood. Little Golden Books has taken 46 of their best loved children's stories and put them in to one book, everything from "The Poky Little Puppy" to "Scruffy the Tugboat" are included. Even if you are trying to find a book for a little one or if you remember these stories when they first came out, these stories will make you smile. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

The best of the classic Golden Books stories - with original artwork - come in a little treasure chest. These are smaller versions than the original books, with easy-to-wipe puffy plastic covers. Too cute! A great gift for a little one. Or treat yourself and bring back a little of your childhood. A great value for the money.

This was one of my all-time favorite books as a child. Now that I'm a mother, I went for a search and was so sad to see it out of print. It's a fantastic tale of adventure and friendship. I hope to share it with my son one day.

I loved this story as a kid, and I'm so sad that it is out of print now! It's a charming tale about a little boy, Ah Mee, and his pet elephant, Tubby. Tubby wants to surprise Ah Mee on his birthday by making him a HUGE lantern, but the lantern floats away with Tubby hanging on. Ah Mee joins in the flight, of course, and they face adventures together. This is an early reader that is extremely well-done, not a boring, over-repetitive style like a bunch of early readers are today. I recommend it for kids age 4-8. They'll love to read it over and over!

this is a great picture book with a little bit of reading to help young children up to first or second grade to understand the importance of taking care of your teeth. I highly recommend this book to anyone who just enjoys reading to the youngsters, or is working 0n a class room theme about teeth. Easy book to read to a group.

Wilbur the Walrus has a tusk that hurts, but he resists going to the dentist - until his wise Grandfather presents another option. Many a child will relate to the story of a young walrus who resists treatment - until he sees for himself the results of avoiding it!

Everybody knows somebody who owns a restaurant or WANTS to own a restaurant. This is the book for them! it is also a book for woodworkers and artisans who value perfection in their work (the owner of the 20 Elephant restaurant hates a table that wobbles and you need to put a matchbook under the leg even BEFORE the elephants dance on it). In a perfect world, every town would have a 20 Elephant Restaurant where talents and craftsmanship are valued more highly than "you want fries with that?" and paper hats.

I first read this book fifteen or so years ago when I was a university student. I was studying literature at the time and had just read Riddley Walker. I had the privilege to hear Hoban speak at the time and read from Pilgerman which was then a work in progress. As for this book, I noticed Hoban had also written children's stories so I started collecting them. I will just say Twenty Elephant Restaurant is one of the most simple, wonderful and beautiful things ever written. I now read it and other of RH's stories to my children who love them. Thank you and god bless you Mr Hoban.

This is one of the best picture books I have read in a long time! The Brooklyn Bridge is completed and skeptics wonder just how long it will stand. P. T. Barnum decides to capitalize on their skepticism and arranges a parade of his elephants across the bridge as they head to Manhattan for their latest migration of the "Greatest Show on Earth."

I teach a class of 25 1st grade students in a 'gifted' classroom and they were riveted throughout the entire story...and so were the two parent volunteers at the back of the room. The vocabulary is extremely rich and advanced and this book provided wonderful enrichment to our study of bridges in a community. One of the best parts of the book was the final 'Author's Note' which described the extensive research that an author must complete to create an effective story.

It took fourteen years of construction to build the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Brooklyn and New York - but some wondered how much weight the new bridge could safely handle. One man decided to show them it was strong enough to hold even the heaviest passenger -- and demonstrated this with elephants. The man's name? P.T. Barnum. It reads with the drama of fiction but Twenty-one Elephants And Still Standing is based on fact, which is even more intriguing.

Olaf and Venus point out common items and things in the home and have lots of fun doing so; the colorful artwork is simple but with enough charming details to keep a little one amused. The basic concept of this book works well: a word on one side is illustrated and then shown again in a full-color scene with Olaf and Venus interacting with it. I like the art very much--Olaf and Venus are winning in their simplicity.

All four books in this series are wonderful mini-excursions to a commonly visited place and should keep a young one busy for a while. Highly recommended.

Another in the Very Busy Life of Olaf and Venus series and no less adorable than the others. Venus visits Olaf at home and we get to read about what they do together - including taking a bath and eating cheese. The story is told in pictured words on one page and a scene containing the word on the opposite. Great book for toddlers to practice early reading skills of picture matching and picture-word matching. The vibrantly coloured drawings seem to give life and personality to Olaf and Venus and they are also interesting enough to hold the attention of our 1-year old daughter.