Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War

by Yukio Tsuchiya, Ted Lewin (Illustrator)

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Animals, War, Childrens, Japan, Historical

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although Yukio Tsuchiya's 1988 picture book Faithful Elephants (well actually, the author wrote the story in the immediate post WWII period, in 1951, but this here picture book was originally published in 1988) most definitely has a strong and also powerful anti-war (and thus also a pro peace) message, the fact that the zoo animals were deemed necessary to be killed in the first place (and that the elephants were slowly starved to death, and thus basically tortured in my opinion, instead of the zookeepers for example shooting them, and thereby giving them at least a quick demise and not a long and agonising decline and death) makes me physically ill to my stomach and indeed totally, utterly furious. Yes, war is terrible and horrible, and I appreciate that the author points out how even the animals at the Tokyo zoo are being affected, are suffering and dying, but I really do wish that there had been at least a bit of criticism meted out by Yukio Tsuchiya against the zoo officials, against the zoo keepers for choosing slow starvation to kill their three elephants when poisoning them was shown not to work (I mean, it was WWII, and I am sure that some high powered firearms could have been found to quickly and painlessly dispatch the poor elephants instead of denying them food and water until they slowly became weaker and weaker, until they finally died, and come on, the elephants were found with their trunks extended in supplication, begging even in death for food and water).

And thus, while I absolutely do NOT in any way consider Faithful Elephants as Japanese propaganda or in any manner as anti-Americanism (as some very vile and hate-filled ranting reviews I have read online seem to rabidly and moronicaly claim), I also cannot either enjoy or recommend this book, as the method used to kill the elephants was and remains simply massively cruel and inhumane (even though the zoo keepers obviously did feel horrible with regard to the latter and while I do oh so much appreciate the anti-war sentiments expressed and shown by them). For indeed, even though I still would have been sad and likely even crying had the three elephants been shot to death, I could have at least known and felt a bit cheered and relieved that they had died quickly and not in this cruelly long and drawn-out fashion, in a manner that these faithful and gentle giants must have experienced as willful neglect by their zookeepers, whom they obviously considered like companions, like friends. And thus, only one star for Faithful Elephants, as the evocativeness of the Yukio Tsuchiya's narrative, its obvious anti-war and very much pacifistic messages notwithstanding (and while Ted Lewin's accompanying watercolour illustrations are indeed simply and divinely beautiful, heart wrenching) cannot take away my sense of personal disgust and massive emotional anger at how the elephants were put to death, that they were basically slowly and torturously killed through the wilful denial of food and water, through starvation (that the animals kept begging for sustenance and must have felt neglected and puzzled, must have felt as though they were perhaps even being punished in some manner) and that this is all simply related by Yukio Tsuchiya as rather matter of fact without ANY kind of even mild criticism or condemnation of the zookeepers (or that perhaps, quickly shooting them might have been an option to at least consider), it just makes me too sad and too personally angry to consider a higher rating.

[Hazeanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true story will be read aloud on the air of the Japanese radio station every year during the anniversary of Japanese Force surrendered in the World War II. Its about 3 performing elephants in the Ueno Zoo.

During war, bombs dropped like rain in Tokyo. The zoo faced with possibilities being hit by air raids. If happened, it will damaged cages. There's a chance of dangerous animals escaped; thus running wild in the city. The management received instructions from the army to kill those animals.

A hard decision taken for public safety.

Tigers, bears, leopards and snakes had all gone to eternity. Its turn for these 3 elephants.

Despite attempts to feed them with poisoned potatoes and injecting it directly, it failed. So, they had to let those elephants died a slow painful death. By starvation. The first one died after 17 days.

When their trainer walked beside the cage of the two remaining elephants, these two stood up and rose their two frontal legs with trunks held high in the air. Those "Banzai trick". In hope their trainer will award them with foods and water as he routinely done.

It's very impactful and heart rending. While it's not exactly my first reading; this scene always move my heart.

Animals love their keepers and owners unconditionally. Very eager to please. Even during their impending death.

Their trainer couldn't hold his sadness and ran fetching supplies. Their last feeding. In opposite directive not to feed them. Other trainers in the zoo pretended not seeing him doing it. Even the doctor.

I understood that. People who loves their animals, looks upon them as their own children. It's extremely hard to do, what they had to do.

They secretly hoped that these two elephants will survive one more day. Maybe the war will be over. Who knows?

There's a tombstone marked the spot where these elephants buried in Ueno Zoo. As a symbol of war casualties. The token of love from their keeper to those three elephants.

It's hard for me not to cry actually. In very weak and emaciated conditions, they still did the Banzai trick. They thought their keeper didn't feed them because they didn't do their performance right. Even died with their trunk still attempting it.

So sad.

This story carries a strong anti-war message. And this book represent a part of victims who couldn't speaks for themselves.

[Jonathan Peto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in a workshop with other teachers today. The other teachers seemed to buy into the idea that the fate of the elephants at a Tokyo zoo during World War II carries a strong anti-war message. I was more skeptical. Yet I was disturbed by the story. That's one reason I liked it. There was a lot to consider, especially because the elephants were portrayed as trying to please the zookeepers to the very end.

I suppose children might be drawn in by the elephants, but I actually thought that was disturbing too. It seems to imply the children will not feel any empathy for people, perhaps like the zookeepers. When the zookeepers wanted the war to end because of its effects on the elephants, I found it disturbing they weren't convinced beforehand, by the suffering of countless others in Tokyo and around the world.

Finally, the title kept gnawing at me. Why faithful elephants? Then I had a disturbing revelation about it on the train ride home: Maybe the elephants are a symbol for the Japanese people during the war. Maybe that's what really upset the zookeepers. They were faithful to their leaders, just like the elephants were faithful to the zookeepers. The zookeepers realised their fates would be similar.

[Gofita · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is supposed to bring about anti-war sentiments...but not for me. The illustrations were wonderful, but I just didn't buy the story. The zookeepers really couldn't figure out a more humane way to kill the elephants? I'm sure they had shotguns, at least. They really didn't have needles big enough to draw blood or administer other things for the elephants?

Yes, war is sh*tty, it really is. But this book didn't help me think more about anti-war, just how come these zookeepers were so inhumane? Moral was lost completely. Granted, I wasn't there...but maybe if there was more information. I guess I'll just have to look it up and see...

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom's student teacher was subbing for another teacher who had an emergency and had to leave. "Here, read this." So my mom's student teacher did--and read the entire thing to a class of first graders, who were bawling when he was done with it. Later, he said, "I didn't know what to do. She told me to read it and I didn't want to disobey her." The teacher had not read it...

My mom told me about the story and I read it. I cried. I told my friend about it and I got teary talking about it (and this was before I read it).

This children's story is about a zoo that cannot keep its animals. In case something happens, they are afraid the animals will run wild and kill everyone, causing even more destruction. So they kill the tigers and the bears. However, the elephants they cannot kill. They try to feed the elephants poisoned potatoes, but the elephants don't eat them. They try to give them hypodermic needles but their needles break. They eventually starve them to death and the elephants, when they see the zookeepers walk past their cage, do the tricks they were once taught...It is so sad and amazing and beautiful. I am a 28 year old woman and I LOVED this book. Small children might find it intensely sad, but it teaches about war and animals and compassion. I love this book. Please read it.

[Vee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this story to my son and found it extremely disturbing. It is intended to be an anti-war story, but in that it fails. Because who is going to believe that the war was responsible for the zookeepers starving the elephants to death? If there was money to put bullets in guns to fight the war, there was money to put an end to these elephants' misery. This story does not at all convince that there was no other choice but to watch these animals waste away over almost three weeks of sheer torture. I lie in bed awake tonight unable to get their suffering of my mind, and feeling guilty also that I read it to my son. There are certainly much more convincing books if you want an anti-war book. Lastly, this book has nothing to do with the idea that elephants are faithful, which was what drew me to the book. This book is about the fact that the elephants tried to survive in any way they could, and it is horrifying. Should be renamed Wartime Inhumanity at the Zoo.

[Emilie | La prof de français · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quel bel album! Ça faisait un moment que je souhaitais mettre la main dessus et je n’ai pas été déçue! Les illustrations sont toutes simples, très minimalistes, mais tellement parfaites! Le texte est court, mais bien émouvant. Le fait que cette histoire en soit une réelle amène une autre dimension au livre. Je pense que les élèves seront assurément touchés par cette lecture. À utiliser en classe, au secondaire sans crainte. Parfait pour aborder les conséquences de la guerre.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I get it. War is bad. I'm not a fan of it either. It is sad and scary and it brings about a lot of inhumane behavior. And that message needs to be told.

And this gut-wrenching story needs to be told; I totally support that. But as a picture book… I just feel like I had no idea what was coming. I ugly cried. I had to set the book down in the middle of the story and come back to it because I genuinely could hardly handle reading it.

So this is where I am torn. I understand that this incredibly sad message should get out there but is there any possible way to tell it without it completely splitting apart your heart into thousand pieces as the elephants die of starvation?

Anti-war messages are fine with me, and I can't believe this happened and I'm glad I know this story now. But this is an incredibly harsh book and I'm in fear for the young child who picks it up without knowing what it is about because it looks like a picture book about some cute elephants and yet, alas, you might find that child distraught and confused after reading about something that maybe they, in their innocence and youth, didn't quite need to know about yet.

Yikes. Definitely never saw it coming when I picked it up.

[Amanda Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unintentional consequences of war. Who are the real victims during times of war? This is the emotional story of three elephants - John, Tonky, and Wanly from the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan and their keepers. The story chronicles the lives of these three elephants as war is taking place all around them. The story takes place during WWII and is a wonderful story of love, affection, and the internal struggle of those who have to make the choice between life and death for those they care about.

This book is WOW book for me because it tells children the story of the human heart. The illustrations are beautifully done and the writing style captivates readers of all ages. I have used this book for years in teaching a unit on the unintentional consequences of war across grade levels. Students I have previously taught ask me to read this to them year after year, sometimes multiple times. The ideal behind my using this book is to make students aware that every action has a reaction and sometimes those reactions devastate the ones we love the most. This book is nonfiction and appropriate for all ages and grades. It can easily be incorporated into social studies, science, reading, and ELA.

[Taylor Hucks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Amazon Kindle version of Faithful Elephants, which was published in 2015 although the original was published in 1951. Yukio Tsuchyia tells the story of three elephants residing in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo during a war. Told as an informational text, this book takes readers through similar emotions the zookeepers felt when they were ordered to get rid of all the animals at the zoo because the bombs raining on Tokyo could put the city at harm if the animals were to get out. I believe this text was written to make readers feel how unfair and unjust war is because it builds itself around the natural human instinct to do the right thing. Because of the violence that occurs in this book, I would only recommend to grades four and up if the students are well prepared to deal with this kind of topic. However, it is the unfair things that occur in this book that really make readers feel raw emotion and walk away from this book moved in some way. There are so many great activities that could go along with this book and several ways to tie in social studies as well. I would love to have students problem-solve to come up with some other solution if something like this were to happen again. Once they have come up with ideas and we've held discussions about the realities of their ideas, we could all decide on what we believe to be the best option that doesn't involve unfair casualties. Students would then write a letter to the army as the elephants' zookeeper to convince them there are other ways to deal with living and breathing animals. I would also address the deeper meaning of this book by discussing with students how war has more negative impacts than positive using evidence from the book. I loved this book because it addresses how unfair it is to believe that we have a right to take another's life.

[Rachel Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

As World War II raged on in the 1940s scientists found the ultimate weapon: nuclear bombs. Afraid of escaping after being bombed and wreaking havoc on the city, zookeepers at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo must find a solution for their beloved elephants. But will that solution cause more harm than good?

The main conflict in Faithful Elephants is person versus society. In a story that follows the person versus society conflict, “the protagonist is in a conflict with or being oppressed by society at large. Society can an institution or large powerful group…or society can be traditions/ways of doing things that people don’t question,” (Kachorsky, Unit 3 Plot & Conflict, slide 40). The conflict in Faithful Elephants follows these guidelines for the person versus society conflict in the way that the elephant keepers do not agree with the solution of saving Tokyo by killing the elephants. The elephant keepers question the methods of killing the elephants they’re supposed to care for; from poisoning their potatoes to starving them.

Although it is an upsetting book, I can see Faithful Elephants playing an important role in my future classroom. I can see myself conducting a lesson that defines the four conflicts and discuss their characteristics. According to Lukens, Smith, and Coffel, “conflict occurs when the protagonist struggles against an antagonist...” (146). In a person versus society conflict, the antagonist is society that causes oppression due to tradition or method of doing something. We can then read books that have one of the four conflicts and discern which book has which conflict. One of the books that we read would probably be Faithful Elephants. In Faithful Elephants, the conflict is clear to identify and discuss with any age and grade level.

[Kaitlyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This informational text was definitely a WOW book for me. I read it as an ebook (e-text) on Amazon Kindle, and I was truly taken aback at the hardships faced in this true story. "Faithful Elephants" tells the story of a zoo in Tokyo that once held three elephants during the time of World War II. As a result of the war, and the fear that the zoo would get bombed and the animals would escape, the zookeepers began putting all of the animals to sleep. Due to many failed attempts, and because of the relationship many keepers had with the elephants this was an extremely difficult task. This story, good for students in grades 4-5, tells a true story that truly tugs at the reader's heart. I think this book really stood out as a wow book for me because, not only does it tell this sad true story, but it also bring to realization hardships brought on by war. It acknowledges the sacrifice and hard decisions many had to make in order to save the lives of others. While, I think there could have been other options, instead of putting the animals down, I think the zookeepers were truly trying to do what they thought was best. In addition to "Faithful Elephants," being and eye-opening story that tells the effects of war, it also has beautiful illustrations that depict true emotions felt by the zookeepers.

One method of how this story can be used in instruction is you could tie it to social studies standards to get students thinking about the effects war can have on the community. After reading this story, students can brainstorm different methods that could have been done instead of killing the animals. For example, they could be transported to a different area or country. Students could then do research into figuring out how much this would cost and if it would have been possible during this time. This will help students learn more about the time period and how to budget and manage costs. Another possible instruction idea could be to have students write a story describing if they were zookeepers at the Ueno Zoo now. They can state what they would do, the type of attractions they would have, how they would treat the animals, etc. Students can even look up the actual Ueno Zoo and include pictures in their final product. I think these methods for instruction can not only be great learning experiences but can also teach students to be more empathetic towards those around them (including animals).

[Jenni Loflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational Text:
I haven’t had much experience with informational texts before, so I was intrigued to read this book! Although the story was heartbreaking, I absolutely loved this book and the illustrations in it!

Faithful Elephants is told by a zookeeper at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. During the time that this story was written, Japan was involved in World War II. Bombs were being dropped on Tokyo and the people who lived there were worried that the bombs would fall on the Ueno Zoo and set the animals to run wild. Therefore, the zookeepers were commanded by the army that the animals were to be killed. So, they poisoned the food that they gave to the lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and snakes. Then, they tried to poison the elephants in the same way, but they were too smart and ended up pushing away the poisoned food. Next, they tried to inject the poison directly into the elephants but their skin was too tough. The zookeeper's only option was to starve the elephants. The zookeeper was heartbroken to watch the elephants slowly die. The elephants were so kind and well-trained; they even tried to do a trick with the hopes of being rewarded with food. As time went on, the elephants died and the sounds of bombs filled the Tokyo sky once again and the zookeepers begged for the war to end. In honor of the three elephants, there is now a memorial for them at the Ueno Zoo.

I think that this book would be used in any classroom in grades 3-5. I think that this book does a great job of explaining the unintended effects of war. Since this is a fairly short informational text and not too complex, I think this book would be a great way to introduce the concept of war (specifically World War II) in the classroom. One activity that could be done using this book would be for students to research other unintended effects that World War II had on Japan or other countries. Bringing awareness to these events will help students better understand the consequences of war. Another activity that can be done using this book would be to have students create an alternate ending. Instead of the elephants dying in the end, students would write an ending that would differ while still including information they have learned about the war. I think that both of these activities will engage readers more deeply with informational texts.

I thought that this book was a WOW book because it demonstrated such a powerful message of anti-war. I loved how this book told an impactful story while still providing information about life during World War II in Japan. I think this would be an amazing book to incorporate into my future reading instruction!

[Audrey | Adapter au secondaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon coeur est en miettes après cette histoire si triste!

L’histoire est en effet très crève-coeur et porte à réfléchir. Les images, plutôt abstraites, sont magnifiques, mais parfois difficiles à analyser.

La fin m’a toutefois laissée perplexe. J’aurais aimé retrouver un peu de sourire ou d’espoir, mais non. D’un autre côté, toutes les vraies histoires ne finissent pas toujours bien et c’est probablement ça le plus triste de cet album.

[Jessica Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a conflicting book. A children’s picture book, but I can’t imagine any child I’d ever read or gift this to. And yet I’m glad I read it. Shows a tragic side to war I’d never before considered, despite having read Hanna’s Cold Winter (that is an animal war story that I have gifted to children.)

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids had a hard time with the sensitive nature of this book and animals dying.

[Daniel Herrera]

The story Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya is a great book to be read by all ages. The story is sad and helps open your eyes to not assume something that might happen. It is about how Tokyo thout they were going to get bombed and they didnt want the zoo animals to suffer so they killed him.

[Caleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Nonfiction, Folktale, Historical Fiction

Faithful Elephants tells the true story of a war-stricken Tokyo and a zoo that is ordered to kill all of their animals to protect the people and the city. The city want to prevent the animals from escaping if bombs happen to fall in the zoo. The story focuses on three elephants and their trainers and the sad decision they have to make because of the army's orders.

This book could be used for lessons on war and the impact it has on people, animals, and a community. It takes a unique perspective on war that would give students the opportunity to look at it through a different lens. The main message that I got was that everyone at the zoo wanted the war to end so they didn't have to kill the animals. It could also be used as a way to discuss animal treatment and how the trainers must have felt having to kill the elephants that didn't do anything wrong or deserve to die. It would be a great read-aloud book to combine with a mini-lesson on either topic.

This book was a WOW book for me because of the powerful story and message/central theme. It takes on a unique perspective of war and is heartbreaking, while also eye-opening. I couldn't stop thinking about it after I read it and what it must have felt like working for the zoo. While it is not an easy topic to read about, the information that can be learned and then taught from the book is very valuable. I definitely recommend this book!

[Denise McQuillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming story at the same time. I was first introduced to it when my daughter (who is now 34 y/o) was competing in the Battle of the Books in 4th grade. She was reading it aloud in the car while we were traveling, and it came to a point where I asked her to quit reading it. She thought I was joking at first, so I asked her again. I just couldn't take the pain of this true story at the time. It was some 2 years later that I saw the book at Barnes & Noble and purchased it, finally finishing it. As a librarian, I used it with my 3rd grade students when studying Japan, and now I use it with my 7th grade students in our eastern hemisphere geography class. I still struggle to get through it without tears, but I'm okay with that! It deserves tears!

[Celia Buell · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some books that seem like they are intended for a certain age, but you need to look closely to realize they are actually far beyond the developmental appropriateness of the intended demographic. Such is the case with Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War.

Other reviewers have pointed out that the anti-war messages are lost on the intended audience of elementary age children. Many students do not yet have an understanding of war that would lead to interpretation the way the author seems to have intended.

Other reviewers have also pointed out that the way in which they killed the elephants was completely inhumane, and questioned why they didn't just shoot them. This is an aspect that does draw out the story and make it more of one, because this probably wouldn't have been made into a picture book if they had just shot the elephants. In this case, though, the drawn out story is a lot more distressing, even to me as an adult (which is what I'm seeing as the general consensus from other adults who've read this as well).

For these reasons it seems as if children in general would miss the intended antiwar messages that Yoshiko Uchida hopes to portray, and would instead be more upset by the actual events of the story and the effects on the elephants. I could not see this in a classroom lower than fifth grade, and even then fifth or sixth grade is pushing it in terms of the emotional maturity needed to appreciate this book. Even for older students (and adults), many may find this story too depressing and distracting from the antiwar message we're "supposed" to get.

[Carson Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most heartbreaking books that I have ever read. The book really gives you a larger perspective on the devastation that war leaves behind. So often times we think of the soldiers that put their lives on the line to fight on either side of a war, but not animals. The animals at the Ueno Zoo were peaceful and well trained animals. Prior to the two elephants that live at the zoo now, there were three other elephants. When bombs were being dropped on Tokyo, the zoo keepers decided it would be dangerous if a bomb hit the zoo and wild animals were to get out. So they ended up poisoning the lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and big snakes. Then it came time to poison the elephants, but they were too smart to eat the poisoned food and their skin too think to be injected. The zoo keepers only option was to starve the elephants. This was a heartbreaking time for the zoo keepers, watching the life leave the elephants. Once the elephants had died, they begged for the war to end. Now there is a memorial for the the peaceful elephants that once lived at the Ueno Zoo.

I would use this book in upper elementary, starting in 4th grade all the way up into high school. The way this picture book is written, is very eloquent and provides a gateway to discuss war and all of its unintended effects. This book would pair well with a discussion of WWII in particular since the story is based in Japan.

This is a WOW book for me because once I finished reading "Faithful Elephants" I was speechless. My heart broke for these animals and I think the author did an amazing job writing this book. As a reader, you become so engrossed in the story and feel the pain that the zoo keepers felt. I think it takes a powerful book to be able to connect the way that I did as a reader.

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya is a powerful story that reflects the horrors of war on an unlikely suspect. The story is captivating first by the beautiful illustrations of the animals in a Japanese Zoo. Faithful Elephants retells the devastating story of a Japanese Zoo in a panic to save their animals from bombing that is happening in Japan during WWII. The zookeepers in the zoo are forced to kill the animals that are at the zoo because they don't want them to die by a bomb that could hit the city due to the horrors of war. The details of the story are very graphic, as they discuss the different ways the zookeepers attempt to kill the animals. They focus in on three elephants and several different ways that they end their lives. The reality of the details is horrifying and deeply saddening, as the animals and elephants are put down one by one. The animals that died during that war are now remembered at the Japanese Zoo with a sign that marks where this sad tragedy occurs.

I find this book to be phenomenally real and a wonderful read for upper elementary students. Although the topic of the book is sad and dark, the story would be a great introduction to the reality of daily life when teaching WWII, as well as connections to science through different wildlife animals, as elephants and tigers are specifically addressed along with the care and keeping of them. Students may not make the connection to how war hits on the home front in every aspect, and this would be a great tool to reveal this to them. Spoiler: there will not be a dry eye in the room!

[The Hofs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely beautiful illustrations but I was shocked that this was a picture book as the subject matter was very sad. An excellent addition if you were studying WWII but as a stand alone book, I had lots of explaining to do. My 6 yr old was traumatized. I wish that I didnt read her the book! Interestingly enough, my 13 yr old is reading "Unbroken" and the cruelty of the Japanese is completely contrary to the empathetic trainer. I dont want to discourage people from reading the book but preview read first to determine appropriate age the reader.

[Morgen Shambaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not particularly like this book, but I would consider reading it to my 6th graders if we were learning about the effects of war, especially those that are not always discussed. This book shows children that even animals had to die for war. The elephants in this story are put down, one by one, and it is extremely sad. It takes place in Japan and gives a very unique perspective on the effects of war.

[Katharine]

This book was awful. It talks about how the dangers of war allowed individuals to justify killing animals for no immediate reason. They could have shipped the animals to safer destinations, there were clearly other alternatives. In times of war they should have plans for the animals. When taking on an animal as a pet, there are certain responsibilities that one must undertake. If you feel you cannot care for it properly, it does not give you the right to simply kill them off.

[Meghan Schroeder · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has a powerful message, but is very upsetting. Because it creates such strong emotions makes it the amazing book that it is, however, I will never read this book again because of how upset it made me. I couldn't read this to a group of students let alone discuss it. The message to to reader helps put the book into perspective, but I was still very upset and emotional for a long time after reading.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess it depends on who you are reading this book to. A teacher told me it was a great book to read 2nd graders so I went out and bought it. When I read it myself, I was horrified! It is a very sad, depressing book. I would not read it to any children under the age of 16? I no longer own this book, it depresses me to even look at the cover.

[Lin Lin]

Three elephants had to be put to death during WWII in case bombs killed them in Tokyo. While trainers were reluctant to kill them, the elephants were left to starve to death. At their death, zookeepers and animals trainers cried for the end of the war and cried for peace. A sad story to share with children. When I read this with my son, we both cried.

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this in one of my classes. I pretty much hated this story, because it is a true story of the horrors of war as it effects more than just people. However, we talked about how this book can be used to help make things relevant to kids who might not have any other way/interest in connecting to wars.

[A.B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it embodies the often unnoticed victims of war, and the absolute idiocy of war in general, it was a terribly depressing book. I made the mistake of beginning to read it to my children! Bad idea!