Saving H'Non: Chang and the Elephant

by Trang Nguyễn, Jeet Zdung

From the creators behind the Eisner-nominated Saving Chang and the Sun Bear comes another gorgeously-illustrated graphic novel adventure based on a true story, in which young conservationist Chang overcomes the odds to save and return an elephant to its natural habitat.

While volunteering at a wildlife rescue center near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam, Chang helps rescue an injured and abused Asian elephant named H'Non. For decades, H'Non was forced to haul heavy timber logs and concrete poles at construction sites, and then to carry riders at tourist attractions all day long with no break. While nursing H'Non back to health, Chang is tasked with finding a kind mahout—an elephant trainer—who will teach H'Non how to fend for herself in the wild. Though Chang initially has her doubts about the young mahout she finds, a boy named Wat, H'Non takes to him instantly. And as her friendships with both H'Non and Wat grow, Chang learns what it means to give people a chance, to show up for your friends, and to love openly and forgive compassionately.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Animals, Middle Grade, Comics, Nonfiction, Environment, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning in both its illustrations and storytelling, this is a thought provoking, evocative and moving read that will undoubtedly capture and inspire readers young and old.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What amazing creatures elephants are! Magnificent illustrations tied to a beautiful story. For all lovers of animals and heart warming adventures.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creative team behind SAVING SORYA has hit another one out of the park with SAVING H’NON. Once again, we have young conservationist Chang learning about an animal species native to her home country of Vietnam and working to protect one member of that species from threats to their survival.

H’Non is a 60-year-old Asian elephant. Captured as a calf from the wild, she has spent decades toiling for humans—first in the lumber industry, and in her old age taking tourists on elephant rides in the “trekking” industry. Going on elephant rides and attending elephant performances are common tourist traps for Westerners travelling through this part of the world—yet few realize how arduous and abusive this is for the animals involved. The riding facilities are often the end of the line, literally, for elephants worn out by the logging and construction industries.

If I’m making this book sound like a downer, it is not—it’s beautiful. The pages of the graphic novel are presented like a nature sketchbook, and each page teems with the life of the Southeast Asian jungle. Every turn of the page presents another stunning scene and opportunity to learn about not only elephants, but the vast array of life in this part of the world. And H’Non’s story is a happy one—dedication and negotiation on the part of Chang and the other workers at the elephant sanctuary help win her freedom from her greedy, thoughtless owner, and her life changes tremendously.

The books in this series have so much to offer—science and biology, a look into a different culture, endangered species conservation and welfare, and of course the human education content. They would make a prized addition to the graphic novel collection of public and school libraries.

While the book does discuss sad topics such as poaching and elephant mistreatment in a straightforward way, it does so with sensitivity and understanding of its audience, and the sad content is always balanced out by the positive. Readers come away informed and inspired—there is something they can do, and there are kinder alternatives to support instead of those that are cruel and outmoded. Tourists’ love for, and interest in, elephants can be funneled into sanctuaries that take them out to view rescued and retired elephants in protected forests—rather than forced interactions such as riding and trick shows.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but hard to read because the pages are so busy and the words are so small.

[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this middle grade graphic novel follows Chang, a spirit animal lover who helps rescue an injured and abused Asian elephant named H'non while volunteering at a wildlife rescue center in Vietnam. The book begins exposing the animals and plants of Yok Đôn National Park, moving forward to a deeply personal journey. The abuse and cruelty broke my heart and it reminded me why I don't ride on elephants at tourist attractions.

This story is fully dedicated to the elephants, highlighting the importance of elephants and making one appreciate more wildlife conservationists' works. It might often be dense and feels like an encyclopedia (in the best way). With stunning art, the author is successful at delivering the message about empowering one to become the best version of oneself.

Utterly inspiring and moving, this graphic novel is about making a difference in the world. A book that I would like to gift to readers of all ages! (Make sure to also read the Chang's other journey 'Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear')

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing graphic novel is based on a true story. SAVING H'NON Chang and the Elephant.

I had fallen in love with Saving Sorya before and now I find this new volume amazing. A heartfelt story of a rescued elephant (National Park in Vietnam) H'non is a sixty year old elephant who was stolen from her mother in the jungles of Vietnam when she was only four years old and forced to work in under horrible conditions.

Amazing art and detail (full illustrations, design, comic panels, full drawings) Traditional art, is superb! Emotional story. A lot of content, information, story, detail. Different chapters, 128 pages but long horizontal format looks like it's double in richness of content.

A series to collect and gift for sure. It's beautiful on many levels.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is fiction, however, based on real events and people. Chang and Dionne from a wildlife rescue agency in Yok Don National Park rescue H'Non, a 60-year-old elephant that has been severely abused. Once in the park, the poor elephant's physical and mental health slowly heal until she is completely well again, and can join the other rescued elephants in the park. The illustrations are marvelous, with beautifully detailed animals of all kinds, from the elephants to all kinds of birds, reptiles, and other mammals. The illustrator, Jeet Zdung used several different styles of art in the book, from cartoon and caricatures to realistic. A beautiful book with a worthwhile message.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young Vietnamese wildlife conservationist, Chang, helps save an abused Asian elephant named H’non from a lifetime of cruel servitude. Exquisite, detailed, and expressive watercolor, pencil, and ink illustrations enchant, conveying accurate information about native species and revealing a gorgeous inter-connected South Asian ecosystem. Pages of lush field notebook illustrations are interspersed among dynamic comic panels that tell the dramatic, moving, and occasionally humorous story of H’non’s reintroduction to the wild. Adding interest is the growing friendship between Chang and another young Vietnamese wildlife activist. Based on a true story.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read Trang Nguyen's Eisner-nominated work that preceded this, but this is one is just chock full of STEM-related facts based on a true story about Chang, volunteering at a wildlife rescue center near Yok Don National Park in Vietnam, who helps rescue an injured and abused Asian elephant named H'Non. It's very dense with information and visually a bit overwhelming, as accomplished as the art generally is. But it's a good and inspiring educational experience. A pretty big book!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art in this series continues to take my breath away. The detailed drawings of the environment convey the beauty and wonder of the natural world. This series will be inspirational for so many young readers, but be aware to other grown-ups who might want to read it: if you love animals, this will make you weep more than once, just like the first book. I hope the team continues this series! If we follow Trang Nguyen in her work with marine animals, I would be over the moon.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is gorgeously illustrated with an engaging story and lots of information about elephants and animal conservation efforts in Vietnam. Parts are set up like a field journal, so some of the pages are a little busy with text, illustrations, and information -- but readers will be so moved by the story of H'Non that they'll be motivated to glean every last bit. Readers who aren't used to reading graphic novels may struggle a little with this book, but it is very rewarding.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fascinating: the work that happens in Vietnam to save elephants is interwoven with information about elephants in general as well as broader information about the reserve where the work happens. The book is beautifully illustrated, and, as with any good graphic novel, the illustrations tell a good part of the story as well. My only criticism is the font size--some of it is so tiny I had difficulty reading.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Cruel training of elephants reminds me of Water for Elephants book/movie
Detailed illustrations, dense text at times, mix of NF and story as Chang volunteers at Animals Asia foundation animal rescue in Vietnam
Take care of injured animals first
Simply beautiful depiction of Vietnam flora and fauna
Hnon learned her freedom
Epilogue hints at chang’s next adventure: marine animals!
Word of thanks to actual wildlife experts and workers, artists

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic novels take me a while to get into the groove of reading and looking at the pictures. The illustrations in the book are incredible: beautiful watercolors depict the story on each page. The story breaks your heart to know the abuse elephants have been made to endure, but this story has a happy ending.

[Michelle Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfects the formula created in Saving Sorya. I wept throughout the entire thing (beginning with the author's introductory note). Stunning illustrations, pages packed full of detail and facts and jokes. I'm also really grateful to the creators of this series because I've not really been exposed to the ecology of Vietnam, and it's absolutely incredible.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! I almost cried reading this touching and true graphic novel about 2 teens who teach a long overworked and abused elephant how to be a wild elephant. Artwork has a great sense of motion and such a touching story. Highly recommend.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool book--like a cross between a graphic novel, a sketchbook, and a nature documentary! Learn about elephants, how they are threatened and misused, and how some people are working to save them.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was very touoching and informative

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book

[Alexx Burris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, but this one makes me a little sad as a person sensitive to animal violence. Still will recommend though!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

As lovely as the first book---so much information and absolutely stunning illustrations

[Ilse O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning work of story and art. Genre defying. Like its predecessor, this is a cinematic story for readers of all ages. Highly recommend.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated Graphic Novel/Picture Book full of information about elephant rescue in Vietnam from a kids perspective.

[Eliza Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book! The message, the detail, the format, the incorporation of Vietnamese language, and culture.
Simply amazing!

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty art, like last time. It’s a sad story.

[Corinne · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 star art, one star layout and font, 5 star info about elephants, one star plot

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book, but it's almost too busy. It was somewhat exhausting to read all of it; different fonts, sizes, layouts, styles of art.

[Iben · Rating 5 out of 5]

*crying*

[Crazy4more · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Beautiful drawing and plot

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.