Viku and the Elephant

This is an eBook version of the print book Viku and the Elephant. In this story a boy, Viku, and a young elephant named Haatee become friends in a forest in India. Haatee communicates with only two sounds – a happy trumpet or a sad cry – but Viku and Haatee understand each other perfectly. The story of their adventures together unfolds quickly. In this story ivory poachers take Viku hostage and force him to show them where elephant tusks are hidden in the jungle. The poachers threaten to  kill Haatee if Viku doesn't help them. Although frightened, Viku and Haatee manage to outsmart the ivory poachers with an ingenious plan. This little gem of a story grew out of a fable the author used to tell his own children when they were small. They would ask to hear it over and over again. Now the story is here for all children to enjoy.This eBook has more features than the print version: there is a list of words to learn; discussion questions; many Pop-Up texts to explain new concepts; and photographs from India to make the book an enjoyable learning experience for children. This book works well as a read-aloud story for young children, suitable for early readers (2nd and 3rd grades) and excellent for 4th and 5th graders who are ready for chapter books.