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Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd
When Roger Henneous first dons his keeper uniform and sets foot in the Oregon Zoo, he doesn't know what to expect. But over his thirty-year career, Roger discovers the joys, difficulties, and dangers of life in a zoo, all the while maintaining an unwavering devotion to Belle, Packy, and the rest of the Asian elephants in his care. As their friend, Roger faces many risks―but his willingness to learn their language and speak for the herd makes him unique among his contemporaries. In return, the elephants give Roger a rare level of trust and respect, reminding us how much we can learn when we choose to listen. Elephant A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd takes place in a time when ethical conversations about animal comfort, safety, and enrichment in zoos were just beginning. More than an evolutionary history of zookeeping, this unique biography celebrates the extraordinary bonds between humans and elephants and asks what we owe elephants, where we have fallen short, and how we can move forward together.
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Published March 1, 2020
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About the author
Melissa Crandall
14 books19 followersAbout 20 years ago, I had the opportunity to spend four hours with an Asian elephant named Belle, and her keeper Roger Henneous. That occasion changed my life in ways I never anticipated, and led to the writing of my latest book, THE MAN WHO LOVED ELEPHANTS. The manuscript is complete and with my agent, Bonnie Solow, and will soon be submitted to publishers. Stay tuned for more news!
I cut my amateur writing teeth on fanzines--Star Trek, Star Wars, Elfquest, and others--so it was only natural that my professional teeth would emerge courtesy of media tie-in novels for Star Trek, Quantum Leap, and Earth 2. Since those long-ago days, a collection of short fiction has appeared, as well as a limited-run self-published endeavor, appearances in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL, and most recently a Halloween-themed anthology. My fiction has appeared in "Allegory," the tri-annual online magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror, and in "Amoskeag: The Journal of Southern New Hampshire University." My nonfiction has been featured in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society," the blog "The Wild Ride - Caretaking Mom Through Alzheimer's," on the writing podcast The Drunken Odyssey, in the ASPCA's "Animal Watch," "Strides," the magazine of NARHA/PATH Inter'l, and various newspapers. I've even appeared in two cookbooks!
I'm hopeless at organized sports and follow no teams. I love to bike, hike, and just take walks, anything to be outdoors and, preferably, among animals. I live in Connecticut with my husband, our Australian shepherd Holly, and ancient surfer-dude cat, Tuna.
I cut my amateur writing teeth on fanzines--Star Trek, Star Wars, Elfquest, and others--so it was only natural that my professional teeth would emerge courtesy of media tie-in novels for Star Trek, Quantum Leap, and Earth 2. Since those long-ago days, a collection of short fiction has appeared, as well as a limited-run self-published endeavor, appearances in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL, and most recently a Halloween-themed anthology. My fiction has appeared in "Allegory," the tri-annual online magazine of SF, Fantasy & Horror, and in "Amoskeag: The Journal of Southern New Hampshire University." My nonfiction has been featured in the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society," the blog "The Wild Ride - Caretaking Mom Through Alzheimer's," on the writing podcast The Drunken Odyssey, in the ASPCA's "Animal Watch," "Strides," the magazine of NARHA/PATH Inter'l, and various newspapers. I've even appeared in two cookbooks!
I'm hopeless at organized sports and follow no teams. I love to bike, hike, and just take walks, anything to be outdoors and, preferably, among animals. I live in Connecticut with my husband, our Australian shepherd Holly, and ancient surfer-dude cat, Tuna.
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October 31, 2020
4.5 stars
Roger Henneous was a zookeeper, taking care of the elephants at the Oregon Zoo, for three decades between the 1960s until he retired in 1997. He did not use punishment as an incentive to train them to do things, but used rewards. The Oregon Zoo was the premier zoo in North America for the care of their elephants.
This book follows his life, along with the elephants he loved and took care of for all those years. Zoos also progressed a lot during this time (even still, Roger and the other keepers never got as much as they wanted for their elephants – it all takes money). He finally retired after a few years when he lost both parents, as well as a number of the elephants.
I loved this. It is sometimes hard to read about wild animals “behind bars” at zoos, but I still loved this story and I loved the elephants. Roger and his staff did as much as they were able to to help those elephants. There were still a few things I didn’t agree with (bull hooks, no matter how “gentle” they were while using them), and some of the (now) controversial things the author quoted Roger on from more recently on why they did the things they did.
Roger Henneous was a zookeeper, taking care of the elephants at the Oregon Zoo, for three decades between the 1960s until he retired in 1997. He did not use punishment as an incentive to train them to do things, but used rewards. The Oregon Zoo was the premier zoo in North America for the care of their elephants.
This book follows his life, along with the elephants he loved and took care of for all those years. Zoos also progressed a lot during this time (even still, Roger and the other keepers never got as much as they wanted for their elephants – it all takes money). He finally retired after a few years when he lost both parents, as well as a number of the elephants.
I loved this. It is sometimes hard to read about wild animals “behind bars” at zoos, but I still loved this story and I loved the elephants. Roger and his staff did as much as they were able to to help those elephants. There were still a few things I didn’t agree with (bull hooks, no matter how “gentle” they were while using them), and some of the (now) controversial things the author quoted Roger on from more recently on why they did the things they did.
July 8, 2020
Disclosure up front: I was primed to like this book. I had the wonderful opportunity in January 2018 to visit with Asian elephants in Oklahoma and get checked out in detail by a beautiful 63 year old Susie!
So when this popped up on Ooligan Press, I requested it immediately and was fortunate to be accepted. These are the stories of Roger Henneous and more importantly, the elephants in his life at the Oregon Zoo during his tenure from 1967 to 1997. Ms. Crandall writes an earthy selective diary of a man who is characterized as cantankerous, but so caring, and in many ways a visionary ahead of his times with respect to elephant care. The trials and losses, the joys of births and achievements, the quiet battles with powers above him, the frustrations at people who did not understand what he understood...it's a candid snapshot of a rare life.
Before he became full time dedicated to the elephants, Roger worked wherever and whenever he was told around the entire zoo. "What he loved most was the constant variety in his tasks. Every day brought something new and interesting. It was impossible to be bored." I can understand that - variety in the job is one reason I enjoy mine, and we have the buzz phrase "It's never boring." But we don't work with elephants! And when he witnessed his first birth, "For the first time, he felt the wiry pelt of hair, the heat of its body, and the thrum of its mighty heart. His eyes stung with tears, and his throat closed with emotion." There it is. I only had one, too brief encounter with several elephants, and I can tell you, you haven't lived until you've been kissed - okay, breathed on - by an elephant!
Roger learned from, and gives credit to, his predecessor Alvin Tucker who worked hard to see whatever problems arose from the elephants' perspective, and preached
Other selected highlights:
The staff had to be careful, because playing was not even ground
Calves can gain between 22 and 44 pounds (10-20 kilograms) in body weight per month, but until recently, there was no substitute for mother's milk.
Too many times, the advice of Roger, who spent the most time with the elephants, was ignored...on management vs. caretaker: “Sometimes I was in charge and sometimes I wasn’t, and I never knew which it would be,” he said. “The best I could do was try to pick my fights carefully.”
Elephant socialization, and education, is poorly understood, but is is understood that it is vital. Cows learn to be mothers and midwives, bulls learn the way of things - how to be elephants. And there is more to be understood...
And there is hurt in the stories.
Ms. Crandall notes
Elephants are intelligent. Sometimes underestimated, that intelligence got the best of humans more than once.
On that frustration Henneous often experienced, one particular time a cow, Me-Tu, went into labor two months early and delivered a smaller than normal calf. Roger thought there might be another, but the vet, a Dr. Schmidt, disagreed. For one, the two chosen to midwife had divided their attention between the calf and the mother. who was in distress. "Roger telephoned Schmidt again to report the strange behavior and received the same response as before: there was nothing inside Me-Tu but placenta." Twelve hours later, a stillborn calf was delivered...except...it blinked. Roger and the staff dragged the unresponsive calf into another room and tried CPR. Roger
And a funny one to lighten after that (though it was from early in the book)
We need more Rogers. And more elephants.
So when this popped up on Ooligan Press, I requested it immediately and was fortunate to be accepted. These are the stories of Roger Henneous and more importantly, the elephants in his life at the Oregon Zoo during his tenure from 1967 to 1997. Ms. Crandall writes an earthy selective diary of a man who is characterized as cantankerous, but so caring, and in many ways a visionary ahead of his times with respect to elephant care. The trials and losses, the joys of births and achievements, the quiet battles with powers above him, the frustrations at people who did not understand what he understood...it's a candid snapshot of a rare life.
Before he became full time dedicated to the elephants, Roger worked wherever and whenever he was told around the entire zoo. "What he loved most was the constant variety in his tasks. Every day brought something new and interesting. It was impossible to be bored." I can understand that - variety in the job is one reason I enjoy mine, and we have the buzz phrase "It's never boring." But we don't work with elephants! And when he witnessed his first birth, "For the first time, he felt the wiry pelt of hair, the heat of its body, and the thrum of its mighty heart. His eyes stung with tears, and his throat closed with emotion." There it is. I only had one, too brief encounter with several elephants, and I can tell you, you haven't lived until you've been kissed - okay, breathed on - by an elephant!
Roger learned from, and gives credit to, his predecessor Alvin Tucker who worked hard to see whatever problems arose from the elephants' perspective, and preached
The primary Laws of Tucker:Simple, yes? We know so much more about them now than then, and still know little.
• More can be achieved in this world with kindness than with brutality.
• Don’t try to out-muscle them because you’ll lose. Out- think them instead. Offer them a better deal.
• Be fair because elephants understand fair.
• Maintaining control is an exercise in intellect.
• Abuse is the lazy man’s solution to a problem.
Other selected highlights:
The staff had to be careful, because playing was not even ground
Elephants possess a refined sense of humor. They love to play and tease not only among themselves, but also with their keepers. Some were particularly adept at stealing tools from a distracted handler in order to initiate a game of keep-away. But even something as seemingly innocuous as a trunk swat could have real challenge behind it, considering the trunk of an adult elephant can weigh as much as 300 pounds.
Calves can gain between 22 and 44 pounds (10-20 kilograms) in body weight per month, but until recently, there was no substitute for mother's milk.
Elephant milk appears thin, but it contains more sugar and less water and butterfat than the milk of a dairy cow. In fact, milk from dairy cows should never be used as a substitute for orphaned elephant calves because they’re unable to metabolize the high butterfat content. The dairy milk congeals in the calf ’s stomach as a pasty, semi-solid mass, and the calf literally starves to death while being fed. Formulas now exist to help keep orphaned elephant calves alive until they can begin to feed fully like an adult.I did not know that about cow's milk and elephants.
Too many times, the advice of Roger, who spent the most time with the elephants, was ignored...on management vs. caretaker: “Sometimes I was in charge and sometimes I wasn’t, and I never knew which it would be,” he said. “The best I could do was try to pick my fights carefully.”
Elephant socialization, and education, is poorly understood, but is is understood that it is vital. Cows learn to be mothers and midwives, bulls learn the way of things - how to be elephants. And there is more to be understood...
In the early 1980s, a group of teen- age male African elephants, survivors of a herd culling (killing) at Kruger National Park in South Africa, were relocated to Pilanesberg National Park, more than five hours away. In 1993, rangers at Pilanesberg discovered several of the park’s rhinos mutilated and killed. The rangers subsequently learned that without the presence of older, more experienced bulls to influence and teach them, the young male elephants — who were suffering the effects of PTSD brought on by the cull a decade earlier in which they witnessed their families being killed — were on rampage. These elephants entered full musth ten years earlier than normal, and also simultaneously, something never before documented. When adult males were eventually introduced to the area, the teenagers flocked to them and the killings stopped. This illustrates an important role older bulls play in elephant society beyond the breeding imperative: younger bulls need them as role models.
And there is hurt in the stories.
In 2012, poachers armed with grenades and AK-47s slaughtered more than three hundred elephants in a single day at Bouba Ndjida National Park in Cameroon.Someone even stole a tusk from an elephant that had died in the zoo! Roger and his team had the unpleasant but necessary task of dismembering the remains for easier disposal. Roger had set the tusks aside for the museum and someone with a key had taken one.
Ms. Crandall notes
Two elephant sanctuaries exist in the United States: one in Tennessee, the other in California. Both are privately owned and not open to the public. The elephants are segregated by sex if bulls and cows are present, and no breeding is allowed. According to Todd Montgomery, volunteer and outreach manager at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, their facility “does not support the breeding of elephants in captivity as there is no indication that these captive-born elephants will ever be part of a viable wild population.While not of the same goal to return elephants to the wild, the Endangered Ark Foundation in Oklahoma provides a home to rescued Asian elephants.
Elephants are intelligent. Sometimes underestimated, that intelligence got the best of humans more than once.
In the late 60s, Pet and three other elephants had been involved in a study to determine visual acuity, dexterity, and intelligence. The test consisted of a slide projector and a custom-built box with a screen on either side of which was a large white button. The elephant was supposed to push the right-hand button when shown a white slide, and the left-hand button when shown a barred slide. The images were disclosed at random, with no discernible pattern the elephant might memorize. For each correct response, a sugar cube was delivered down a tube. Once twenty correct responses had been recorded, the trial ended for the day. Although some of the elephants struggled at first to master the test, all eventually succeeded.
The researchers returned in 1986 to test the elephants again and see if they remembered the study. Three of them scored twenty correct responses almost immediately, but Pet labored. She'd get twelve right and miss one, then she'd get fourteen right and make an error, never quite reaching the desired goal. The scientists looked on, one callously remarking that Pet was really stupid compared to the other elephants.
Standing nearby, Haight [another keeper] took issue with the comment and suggested the researcher look at it from the elephant’s perspective. Pet had clearly figured out that twenty correct answers brought an end to the sugar cubes. Playing the game her way, she scored far more treats than her supposedly smarter class- mates. The scientist realized he'd been superbly played and Pet received an extra sugar cube for being so smart.
On that frustration Henneous often experienced, one particular time a cow, Me-Tu, went into labor two months early and delivered a smaller than normal calf. Roger thought there might be another, but the vet, a Dr. Schmidt, disagreed. For one, the two chosen to midwife had divided their attention between the calf and the mother. who was in distress. "Roger telephoned Schmidt again to report the strange behavior and received the same response as before: there was nothing inside Me-Tu but placenta." Twelve hours later, a stillborn calf was delivered...except...it blinked. Roger and the staff dragged the unresponsive calf into another room and tried CPR. Roger
dialed Schmidt's home number. "You know that placenta you were so sure about?" he roared when the receiver lifted at the other end. "Well, it's got a trunk and two eyes and if you move your goddamn ass you might even find her alive when you get here!"Sadly, the calf died two hours later.
Oh, the arrogance of the “educated” - in this case, the vet - can be a challenge for the practical. A necroscopy revealed brain damage and a collapsed lung due to protracted labor. Schmidt's unwillingness to consider the possibility of twins was a tragic error on his part and one that Roger never forgave.Ms. Crandall does say that little probably could have been done, as C-sections on elephants are fatal. Sad, but the surviving twin, Rose-Tu, was full of spirit and humor.
And a funny one to lighten after that (though it was from early in the book)
A favorite joke among the keepers was this: What’s the difference between a cheap tavern and an elephant fart? One is a bar room and the other is a ba-ROOM!
We need more Rogers. And more elephants.
October 13, 2023
I have always loved elephants; they were decidedly my favorite animal when I was little. The well-loved stuffed one named Fuzzy sitting atop my childhood bed in my parents’ house to this day just goes to show. For a time in elementary school I had my heart set on being a zookeeper, specifically to work with elephants. When my mother informed me this job would involve cleaning up their poop, I apparently decided to pursue other interests. Before starting Elephant Speak, I had already fallen in love with elephants. What I didn’t expect in reading this book was to fall in love with their keepers, too.
This book was a wonder. Elephant Speak is a beautiful portrayal of the ups and downs of elephant keeping. It follows one man, Roger Henneous, throughout his life with elephants. Melissa Crandell, author, gracefully weaves Roger’s life story with more general elephant knowledge, much from Roger himself.
It’s a personal narrative, an informational guide, a heart-wrenching story, and just a wonderful read. I was in tears throughout the work, from happy moments where life prevailed, inside and outside of the zoo, to the heartbreaking losses, again both personal and animal (and often both). From the beginning you are rooting for Roger, already knowing that the story will be full of his life with elephants, yet still eagerly waiting to find out how he gets there, and encouraging him in the early chapters for that extra push. It is not difficult to love the protagonist, persistently humble as he is. Crandell takes a clever show-don’t-tell approach in sharing Roger with readers, making clear to us what an incredible man he is to his family, elephants, and everyone he interacts with, even and especially when Roger dismisses his actions as nothing special. In fact, he is repeatedly nothing but, and his inherent kindness is a perfect vessel to follow the storylines of various elephants, zoo developments, and even his own family’s growth and losses. It’s like watching a well done documentary on animals, where you finish feeling that you have both learned and felt so much. This heavy, warm, story is interspersed with laugh out loud moments of elephant antics, told anecdotally by Roger fondly remembering them. It further breaks up the heartwarming narrative with grounding facts about conservation, preservation, zoo etiquette, and info-dumping of everything you could ever want to know about elephants– without being overwhelming. The balance maintained throughout the work is impressive, and produces a really all-encompassing work that does more than just tell one man’s story. From the first time he ever touched an elephant, Elephant Speak tells a story as kind-hearted, compelling, and important as the man it centers on. It was a joy and a privilege to read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
This book was a wonder. Elephant Speak is a beautiful portrayal of the ups and downs of elephant keeping. It follows one man, Roger Henneous, throughout his life with elephants. Melissa Crandell, author, gracefully weaves Roger’s life story with more general elephant knowledge, much from Roger himself.
It’s a personal narrative, an informational guide, a heart-wrenching story, and just a wonderful read. I was in tears throughout the work, from happy moments where life prevailed, inside and outside of the zoo, to the heartbreaking losses, again both personal and animal (and often both). From the beginning you are rooting for Roger, already knowing that the story will be full of his life with elephants, yet still eagerly waiting to find out how he gets there, and encouraging him in the early chapters for that extra push. It is not difficult to love the protagonist, persistently humble as he is. Crandell takes a clever show-don’t-tell approach in sharing Roger with readers, making clear to us what an incredible man he is to his family, elephants, and everyone he interacts with, even and especially when Roger dismisses his actions as nothing special. In fact, he is repeatedly nothing but, and his inherent kindness is a perfect vessel to follow the storylines of various elephants, zoo developments, and even his own family’s growth and losses. It’s like watching a well done documentary on animals, where you finish feeling that you have both learned and felt so much. This heavy, warm, story is interspersed with laugh out loud moments of elephant antics, told anecdotally by Roger fondly remembering them. It further breaks up the heartwarming narrative with grounding facts about conservation, preservation, zoo etiquette, and info-dumping of everything you could ever want to know about elephants– without being overwhelming. The balance maintained throughout the work is impressive, and produces a really all-encompassing work that does more than just tell one man’s story. From the first time he ever touched an elephant, Elephant Speak tells a story as kind-hearted, compelling, and important as the man it centers on. It was a joy and a privilege to read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
October 31, 2020
I love reading about interesting people and animals. How could I not love elephant speak?
Melissa Crandall first met elephant keeper, Roger Henneous while she was a volunteer at Oregon Zoo towards the end of his career. The story is based on interviews she conducted with him after his retirement. During the interviews he recounts his life story. Crandall turned these interviews into and an absorbing, emotional and engaging story.
Put simply Elephant speak is the biographical story of elephant keeper Roger Henneous and the elephants at Oregon Zoo. But it is much more. I rarely shed tears when reading but with Elephant Speak there were parts when I openly wept – for sadness and joy.
Roger was born in Iowa. Being raised on a farm he learned early in his life about the importance of animal care.
He was down to earth but insecure with no real goals in life but whatever job he did it was with diligence no matter how boring.
His marriage to RoseMerrie seemed to be a turning point. When Roger applied for a job at the Oregon Zoo, giving him an opportunity to leave a boring job, she supported him completely encouraging him to follow his dreams.
His first job at the zoo in 1967 was as a rover working in a variety of locations and jobs. He thrived on the arduous work and the variety of tasks always demonstrating his compassion for the animals and strong work ethic. In a short time, he was allocated to work with the elephants and takes on the position of head keeper following the retirement of his boss and mentor.
His decision to retire in 1997 from the job he loved came only after a series of devastating losses in both his two-legged and four-legged families, and the pain he went through on the way to that parting is told with sensitivity and compassion.
But Roger is not the only star of the story. He shares the centre stage with his beloved elephants.
We are introduced to the individual personalities of the elephants and the reciprocated love for Roger. Their intelligence, moods, love for the keepers, playfulness, curiosity, and cheeky sense of humour are described so well we develop a respect and love for each of them.
Also included is an elephant family tree.
This is not just a bio or an animal story. It highlights the plight of elephants worldwide and today’s conservation efforts to protect them and describes how zoos have gone from a place of entertainment for the public to institutes of conservation and preservation where the animals, not the public, are the priority.
Melissa Crandall first met elephant keeper, Roger Henneous while she was a volunteer at Oregon Zoo towards the end of his career. The story is based on interviews she conducted with him after his retirement. During the interviews he recounts his life story. Crandall turned these interviews into and an absorbing, emotional and engaging story.
Put simply Elephant speak is the biographical story of elephant keeper Roger Henneous and the elephants at Oregon Zoo. But it is much more. I rarely shed tears when reading but with Elephant Speak there were parts when I openly wept – for sadness and joy.
Roger was born in Iowa. Being raised on a farm he learned early in his life about the importance of animal care.
He was down to earth but insecure with no real goals in life but whatever job he did it was with diligence no matter how boring.
His marriage to RoseMerrie seemed to be a turning point. When Roger applied for a job at the Oregon Zoo, giving him an opportunity to leave a boring job, she supported him completely encouraging him to follow his dreams.
His first job at the zoo in 1967 was as a rover working in a variety of locations and jobs. He thrived on the arduous work and the variety of tasks always demonstrating his compassion for the animals and strong work ethic. In a short time, he was allocated to work with the elephants and takes on the position of head keeper following the retirement of his boss and mentor.
His decision to retire in 1997 from the job he loved came only after a series of devastating losses in both his two-legged and four-legged families, and the pain he went through on the way to that parting is told with sensitivity and compassion.
But Roger is not the only star of the story. He shares the centre stage with his beloved elephants.
We are introduced to the individual personalities of the elephants and the reciprocated love for Roger. Their intelligence, moods, love for the keepers, playfulness, curiosity, and cheeky sense of humour are described so well we develop a respect and love for each of them.
Also included is an elephant family tree.
This is not just a bio or an animal story. It highlights the plight of elephants worldwide and today’s conservation efforts to protect them and describes how zoos have gone from a place of entertainment for the public to institutes of conservation and preservation where the animals, not the public, are the priority.
May 12, 2021
I am happy to say that I fell head-over-heels in love with this book and would definitely recommend it 10/10.
This book was recommended to me by several people, but I was hesitant that it was going to read too much like a biography instead of a genuine story. While the first few chapters of the book do read as more of biography, what really kept me going was that first glimpse of the actual story that we got with the prologue. The prologue really teases the heart of what this book is about, and in a way it motivates you and pushes you through the "drier" parts leading up to Roger's arrival at the Zoo. Reading the prologue will draw you in—hook, line, and sinker.
This is such an amazing and unique book that offers you this heartwarming glimpse into the lives and personalities of these incredible creatures. I felt such a connection and a love for the elephants and their stories, and it's like they become part of you. I found myself laughing at their shenanigans and their tricks, but also crying over their losses. As much as this is a story about Roger and his experiences as the Elephant Keeper, it is also very much the story of each of these elephants.
Once you get through the first few chapters, this book doesn't read anything at all like a traditional piece of nonfiction or biography. Aside from the stories about the elephants, I love how there was this undercurrent about the history of the Portland and the Oregon Zoo; it gave us all of this amazing history without it reading or sounding like a textbook or a reference book. It was so amazing to see and experience how the Zoo adapted and changed as time went on. As soon as I finished this book I had this incredible urge to go to the Zoo, to see for myself where all of this happened, and try to recapture and reminage the lives of these animals.
I would recommend this book to everyone. If you have genuine love for animals, this is your book. If you want to know what it's like to live among elephants, this is a book for you. If you want a different perspective on the history of Portland, this is the book. Even if you want to learn more about how far animal care has come in zoos, find this book!
I promise you, if you read this book you will walk away changed. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be profoundly impacted.
This book was recommended to me by several people, but I was hesitant that it was going to read too much like a biography instead of a genuine story. While the first few chapters of the book do read as more of biography, what really kept me going was that first glimpse of the actual story that we got with the prologue. The prologue really teases the heart of what this book is about, and in a way it motivates you and pushes you through the "drier" parts leading up to Roger's arrival at the Zoo. Reading the prologue will draw you in—hook, line, and sinker.
This is such an amazing and unique book that offers you this heartwarming glimpse into the lives and personalities of these incredible creatures. I felt such a connection and a love for the elephants and their stories, and it's like they become part of you. I found myself laughing at their shenanigans and their tricks, but also crying over their losses. As much as this is a story about Roger and his experiences as the Elephant Keeper, it is also very much the story of each of these elephants.
Once you get through the first few chapters, this book doesn't read anything at all like a traditional piece of nonfiction or biography. Aside from the stories about the elephants, I love how there was this undercurrent about the history of the Portland and the Oregon Zoo; it gave us all of this amazing history without it reading or sounding like a textbook or a reference book. It was so amazing to see and experience how the Zoo adapted and changed as time went on. As soon as I finished this book I had this incredible urge to go to the Zoo, to see for myself where all of this happened, and try to recapture and reminage the lives of these animals.
I would recommend this book to everyone. If you have genuine love for animals, this is your book. If you want to know what it's like to live among elephants, this is a book for you. If you want a different perspective on the history of Portland, this is the book. Even if you want to learn more about how far animal care has come in zoos, find this book!
I promise you, if you read this book you will walk away changed. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be profoundly impacted.
June 20, 2020
I received a copy of this book via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Working in a zoo seems to be one of the more ethically challenging careers. On the one hand, you're able to work with amazing animals every day, and share them with the public. On the other hand, many feel that animals really belong out in the wild and not "behind bars" (although most modern zoos have been able to do amazing things with their facilities to the point that the natural habitat of the animal is recreated to exacting specifications.) On the one hand, without zoo breeding programs many critically endangered species would be in even more dire straits. On the other hand, all species reach the end of their time eventually and perhaps we are letting our hubris get the better hand to think that we can stop the inevitable. On the one hand, you are able to get to know and love the animals under your care. On the other hand, you have intense feelings of loss when your charges die. I think when a zoo animal dies there is a voice in the back of a zoo keeper's head asking, "Could I have done more to make this animal's life better? What changes should I have made that would have kept this animal safe, pain free, a successful breeder, etc.?" There's a lot of thinking to do here.
So to read a beautiful, well written book about a man who was on the forefront of creating natural, healthy spaces for the elephants at the Oregon Zoo, who dedicated his life to learning how better to serve these magnificent animals, was amazing. Roger Henneous is a man with a strong work ethic, who wholeheartedly embraced his responsibilities while in charge of the elephants at the zoo. The book covers both the joys and sadness of working with animals. While the focus of the book is Mr. Henneous, Melissa Crandall shares additional information about elephants in general and their peculiarities to help us truly feel for the animals and the man who spent thirty years tending to them.
Anyone who loves animals and zoos and is interested in learning about how we have moved from zoos as purely entertainment to an essential part of the very survival of a number of species of critically endangered animals will enjoy reading this book.
Working in a zoo seems to be one of the more ethically challenging careers. On the one hand, you're able to work with amazing animals every day, and share them with the public. On the other hand, many feel that animals really belong out in the wild and not "behind bars" (although most modern zoos have been able to do amazing things with their facilities to the point that the natural habitat of the animal is recreated to exacting specifications.) On the one hand, without zoo breeding programs many critically endangered species would be in even more dire straits. On the other hand, all species reach the end of their time eventually and perhaps we are letting our hubris get the better hand to think that we can stop the inevitable. On the one hand, you are able to get to know and love the animals under your care. On the other hand, you have intense feelings of loss when your charges die. I think when a zoo animal dies there is a voice in the back of a zoo keeper's head asking, "Could I have done more to make this animal's life better? What changes should I have made that would have kept this animal safe, pain free, a successful breeder, etc.?" There's a lot of thinking to do here.
So to read a beautiful, well written book about a man who was on the forefront of creating natural, healthy spaces for the elephants at the Oregon Zoo, who dedicated his life to learning how better to serve these magnificent animals, was amazing. Roger Henneous is a man with a strong work ethic, who wholeheartedly embraced his responsibilities while in charge of the elephants at the zoo. The book covers both the joys and sadness of working with animals. While the focus of the book is Mr. Henneous, Melissa Crandall shares additional information about elephants in general and their peculiarities to help us truly feel for the animals and the man who spent thirty years tending to them.
Anyone who loves animals and zoos and is interested in learning about how we have moved from zoos as purely entertainment to an essential part of the very survival of a number of species of critically endangered animals will enjoy reading this book.
December 7, 2020
In 1962 the first baby elephant born in the Western Hemisphere in forty four years was born at the Washington Park (now Oregon) Zoo in Portland.
Roger Henneous stood in line with thousands of other visitors to see it.
“Perched on his toes, Roger caught his first surprising glimpse of the infant and was instantly smitten. With his baggy skin and wooly reddish hair, Packy looked more like a miniature mammoth than an elephant. He toddled around Belle’s legs as aunts Rosy, Tuy Hoa, and Pet looked on with obvious delight and reached to touch him with their trunks each time he passed. Every so often, he squealed like a leaky balloon and lifted his mouth to suckle briefly from the incredibly human-looking mammaries located behind Belle's front legs.” P 42
He was smitten. Little did he know how much his life would be changed.
In 1967 he applied for a zookeeper’s job, eventually becoming an elephant keeper and moved to head elephant keeper.
His career spanned thirty years; beginning when elephants were seen as performers for human enjoyment to the evolution of respecting them as the magnificent wild creatures they are. He devised ways of handling them safely and enriching their environment.
I enjoyed this – not just as the biography of a zookeeper but for everything I learned about elephants.
“This was infrasound, the silent speech of elephants; a wave frequency too low for humans to hear, but which can be perceived by sensitive individuals. An elephant can adjust the volume and rate of this communication by opening and closing their mouth, moving their ears, changing the position of their body, and raising or lowering their head. Infrasound can travel for up to twenty miles and pass through trees, rocks, and buildings, enabling elephants to communicate even when they can’t see one another.”
P 76
Recommended for those with an interest in elephants, animals in general and the Portland Oregon Park Zoo.
I received a copy of this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an unbiased review
Roger Henneous stood in line with thousands of other visitors to see it.
“Perched on his toes, Roger caught his first surprising glimpse of the infant and was instantly smitten. With his baggy skin and wooly reddish hair, Packy looked more like a miniature mammoth than an elephant. He toddled around Belle’s legs as aunts Rosy, Tuy Hoa, and Pet looked on with obvious delight and reached to touch him with their trunks each time he passed. Every so often, he squealed like a leaky balloon and lifted his mouth to suckle briefly from the incredibly human-looking mammaries located behind Belle's front legs.” P 42
He was smitten. Little did he know how much his life would be changed.
In 1967 he applied for a zookeeper’s job, eventually becoming an elephant keeper and moved to head elephant keeper.
His career spanned thirty years; beginning when elephants were seen as performers for human enjoyment to the evolution of respecting them as the magnificent wild creatures they are. He devised ways of handling them safely and enriching their environment.
I enjoyed this – not just as the biography of a zookeeper but for everything I learned about elephants.
“This was infrasound, the silent speech of elephants; a wave frequency too low for humans to hear, but which can be perceived by sensitive individuals. An elephant can adjust the volume and rate of this communication by opening and closing their mouth, moving their ears, changing the position of their body, and raising or lowering their head. Infrasound can travel for up to twenty miles and pass through trees, rocks, and buildings, enabling elephants to communicate even when they can’t see one another.”
P 76
Recommended for those with an interest in elephants, animals in general and the Portland Oregon Park Zoo.
I received a copy of this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program in exchange for an unbiased review
June 2, 2021
Elephant Speak is a heartwarming portrait of dedicated zookeeper Roger Henneous, and his thirty-year career as head elephant keeper at the Portland Zoo. Author Melissa Crandall met Roger while volunteering at the Portland Zoo in 1996. Through extensive research and interviews with Roger, Crandall relays his story in a way that kept me hooked through learning about his early life, taking over as the head elephant keeper, and all of the challenges and successes in between. I felt like I knew the elephants personally by the end. While Elephant Speak is a beautifully told story of Roger Henneous, this book is not only the story of Roger's life and career but, maybe even more so, of the lives of the elephants he cared for.
My favorite part of reading Elephant Speak—besides being completely enthralled in the life story of Roger Henneous—was learning about the fascinating life and biology of the elephants in Roger's care. I laughed at their mishaps and cried along with their struggles. I even read passages about the elephants aloud to my partner, so he could share in their joy. Through this story I learned the history of elephants in zoos, how they can be treated inhumanely, and what truly intelligent creatures they are. Roger chose to recognize that intelligence and formed unbreakable bonds with the elephants at the Portland Zoo. While other keepers chose violence and punishment, Roger chose patience and rewards. It was such a lovely experience learning about Roger's career, I cannot recommend Elephant Speak highly enough.
My favorite part of reading Elephant Speak—besides being completely enthralled in the life story of Roger Henneous—was learning about the fascinating life and biology of the elephants in Roger's care. I laughed at their mishaps and cried along with their struggles. I even read passages about the elephants aloud to my partner, so he could share in their joy. Through this story I learned the history of elephants in zoos, how they can be treated inhumanely, and what truly intelligent creatures they are. Roger chose to recognize that intelligence and formed unbreakable bonds with the elephants at the Portland Zoo. While other keepers chose violence and punishment, Roger chose patience and rewards. It was such a lovely experience learning about Roger's career, I cannot recommend Elephant Speak highly enough.
January 22, 2021
This review is an unbiased review of a book I received free of charge from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I am an animal person and love elephants so I expected to like this book. It was above my expectations. Written in a very straight-forward manner, Melissa Crandall made me feel as if I knew Roger Henneous, the title keeper. Roger is an admirable man who views himself as ordinary, which in my opinion makes him even more admirable. Roger started as a rover at the Oregon Zoo, tending to what were usually the lowest tasks available, yet he did them all without complaint while feeling his extraordinary fortune in having landed such a job. By the end of the book Roger has worked his way up to head elephant keeper, a position he held for a number of years. His love for his elelphants is palpable. The elephant's affection for Roger is very apparent as well. Through the stories, anecdotes and histories I came to believe that I could recognize any elephant if their personality were described to me. Why, that's Rosie, of course, and this is Packy! The stories are not all sunshine and rainbows. We are introduced to the very real physical, social and emotional problems that elephants experience. Caring for them in all ways is a very tasking business and can also be very dangerous as they weigh tons and tower far above a human's height. I recommend this book to all animal lovers, ecologist and biologists. Wonderful story!
I am an animal person and love elephants so I expected to like this book. It was above my expectations. Written in a very straight-forward manner, Melissa Crandall made me feel as if I knew Roger Henneous, the title keeper. Roger is an admirable man who views himself as ordinary, which in my opinion makes him even more admirable. Roger started as a rover at the Oregon Zoo, tending to what were usually the lowest tasks available, yet he did them all without complaint while feeling his extraordinary fortune in having landed such a job. By the end of the book Roger has worked his way up to head elephant keeper, a position he held for a number of years. His love for his elelphants is palpable. The elephant's affection for Roger is very apparent as well. Through the stories, anecdotes and histories I came to believe that I could recognize any elephant if their personality were described to me. Why, that's Rosie, of course, and this is Packy! The stories are not all sunshine and rainbows. We are introduced to the very real physical, social and emotional problems that elephants experience. Caring for them in all ways is a very tasking business and can also be very dangerous as they weigh tons and tower far above a human's height. I recommend this book to all animal lovers, ecologist and biologists. Wonderful story!
December 9, 2024
It’s not just a story about a zoo keeper and his elephants. I have learned so much about leadership in this book, not in the way that one dominates the others, but one respects and collaborates with the others. Here are some of my favorite lines:
"More can be achieved in this world with kindness than with brutality."
"Nobody can force an animal that big, that strong, and that smart to do something it’s opposed to, not without things getting ugly."
"If you wimped out and backed away, she owned you. But if you got in her face and roared, she’d drop her ears and eek-eek-eek and from then on she was your best friend."
"Pay attention, because elephants are subtle."
"You can make an elephant do one of two things: run away or kill you. But you can get an elephant to do any number of amazing things."
"The love between two species is not like the love within one."
"Elephants teach you patience; they move at their own pace and expect you to respect it."
"Each elephant has its own personality, quirks, and ways of showing affection—or annoyance."
"They remembered everything—the good and the bad. That’s why trust was sacred."
"Working with elephants isn’t a job; it’s a relationship. You have to give as much as you expect to receive."
"More can be achieved in this world with kindness than with brutality."
"Nobody can force an animal that big, that strong, and that smart to do something it’s opposed to, not without things getting ugly."
"If you wimped out and backed away, she owned you. But if you got in her face and roared, she’d drop her ears and eek-eek-eek and from then on she was your best friend."
"Pay attention, because elephants are subtle."
"You can make an elephant do one of two things: run away or kill you. But you can get an elephant to do any number of amazing things."
"The love between two species is not like the love within one."
"Elephants teach you patience; they move at their own pace and expect you to respect it."
"Each elephant has its own personality, quirks, and ways of showing affection—or annoyance."
"They remembered everything—the good and the bad. That’s why trust was sacred."
"Working with elephants isn’t a job; it’s a relationship. You have to give as much as you expect to receive."
December 6, 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. Several people told me it was really good, and one friend cried while reading it. Still, I was hesitant. I don't usually read biographies or memoirs. I'm much more of a YA and fantasy kind of gal. However, I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. I'm glad I read the prologue, as I tend to skip those, because it's what got me into the book and kept me going through some of the dry spells.
Reading anything about animals in captivity always makes me sad. I have so many mixed feelings about zoos. I love being able to see the animals, but I also know that zoos are not really where they belong. It was interesting to read through the lens of a zookeeper, especially one so close to the animals. Roger Henneous is fascinating to read about. I also found myself attached to each elephant and mourned when they passed (although I can't say I cried haha).
I would recommend this book to anyone, especially to people who love biographies and memoirs, but even more so to people who love animals and want a glimpse behind the scenes of what goes on at zoos.
Reading anything about animals in captivity always makes me sad. I have so many mixed feelings about zoos. I love being able to see the animals, but I also know that zoos are not really where they belong. It was interesting to read through the lens of a zookeeper, especially one so close to the animals. Roger Henneous is fascinating to read about. I also found myself attached to each elephant and mourned when they passed (although I can't say I cried haha).
I would recommend this book to anyone, especially to people who love biographies and memoirs, but even more so to people who love animals and want a glimpse behind the scenes of what goes on at zoos.
November 20, 2023
If you’re looking for a heartwarming non-fiction title about animals and human connection, this one is for you! Elephant Speak is an educational, but also riveting account of senior elephant keeper Roger Henneous and the thirty years he spent at the Oregon Zoo. Crandall met Roger, the zookeeper, while volunteering at the zoo and stated in her author’s note that,”His devotion to the elephants in his care, and their obvious love for him, affected me so profoundly that twenty years later I searched him out and asked to write his life’s story.” Towards the end of the book, I started to feel like I was there with Roger through it all, it felt like I knew him.
I have mixed feeling about zoo’s and animals in captivity, but that didn’t affect my rating as I focused more on the connection between human and animals. I knew I would run into moments that I disagreed with, but those are the facts of the current world we live in. Crandall gives a realistic and hopeful look into the life of Roger Henneous, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
August 26, 2020
I enjoyed this biographical book tremendously. It tells the story of the Elephant Keeper at the Portland Zoo and the elephants he cared for, describing their daily lives, both the good and the bad. I learned so much about elephants from their family/herd structure, the medical issues they face, and about their individual personalities. I had never realized that elephants have a tremendous sense of humor! Along the way I learned of the changes made in how zoos manage animal habitat, breakthroughs is medical treatments, and the continually increasing understanding of the animal's needs. As with any biography the ending is sad as lives are lived and natural changes occur. So many biographies are marches of facts through the life and times of the titular person, but this one read almost like a novel with natural pacing and unfolding of the stories of all involved. It was a most satisfying book and I felt as if I got to know both the people and the elephants in it.
June 2, 2021
Did you like "All Things Bright and Beautiful" by James Herriot and did you enjoy "Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck? If so then this is your summer read. This book is so heartfelt, Roger is such a special keeper that you will wish you knew him in person.
This book tells the story of Roger and his adventures as an elephant keeper in the Portland Zoo. The relationship between Roger and his herd of elephants is truly amazing. I suspect it is partly due to his kindness and caring disposition that Portland had the top elephant breeding record in the country.
Crandall, the author, is very informative. By the time you finish this book you will surly have developed opinions with regards to elephant husbandry.
You will laugh at the elephants antics and cry for the lost babies, and get angry at the methods of some trainers/keeper.
The only reason I did not give this a 5-star was because- not enough was left to the imagination and the writing style was sometimes monotonous.
This book tells the story of Roger and his adventures as an elephant keeper in the Portland Zoo. The relationship between Roger and his herd of elephants is truly amazing. I suspect it is partly due to his kindness and caring disposition that Portland had the top elephant breeding record in the country.
Crandall, the author, is very informative. By the time you finish this book you will surly have developed opinions with regards to elephant husbandry.
You will laugh at the elephants antics and cry for the lost babies, and get angry at the methods of some trainers/keeper.
The only reason I did not give this a 5-star was because- not enough was left to the imagination and the writing style was sometimes monotonous.
December 4, 2023
I loved elephants as a child, so Elephant Speak was a book I was excited to read!
I don't usually read non-fiction, so for that reason, I gave it four stars. I'm not from Oregon, so learning about these elephants and how important they are to the Oregon Zoo was amazing. It was really interesting to learn the fun facts about elephants. I didn't know that much information about elephants, so being able to learn about them through Crandwall's writing was great. I always forget how intelligent elephants are, and being able to see just how intelligent and complex they are was amazing.
This would have impacted someone who is more familiar with the Oregon Zoo much more than me, who doesn't really know much about the zoo. I didn't know how famous the zoo was, so some of that was lost on me. It did make me want to go to the zoo and see what it's all about!
I don't usually read non-fiction, so for that reason, I gave it four stars. I'm not from Oregon, so learning about these elephants and how important they are to the Oregon Zoo was amazing. It was really interesting to learn the fun facts about elephants. I didn't know that much information about elephants, so being able to learn about them through Crandwall's writing was great. I always forget how intelligent elephants are, and being able to see just how intelligent and complex they are was amazing.
This would have impacted someone who is more familiar with the Oregon Zoo much more than me, who doesn't really know much about the zoo. I didn't know how famous the zoo was, so some of that was lost on me. It did make me want to go to the zoo and see what it's all about!
July 6, 2020
Elephant Speak is written in a straightforward clear style, lacking the lyrical flourishes I enjoy. But the story! Oh, my!
This is the inspiring and intimate story of Roger Henneous, the elephant keeper for the Oregon Zoo for 30 years -- his dedication, his strong emotional bonds with the elephants, and the equally strong feelings the elephants held for him. Really a fascinating and inspiring book for animal lovers, zoo lovers, and zoo skeptics.
Reading this book, I learned a great deal about elephants and about zoo work in general, elephant keeping in particular. A well-written solid book about a fascinating subject. I'm glad I happened upon this book, and do recommend it.
This is the inspiring and intimate story of Roger Henneous, the elephant keeper for the Oregon Zoo for 30 years -- his dedication, his strong emotional bonds with the elephants, and the equally strong feelings the elephants held for him. Really a fascinating and inspiring book for animal lovers, zoo lovers, and zoo skeptics.
Reading this book, I learned a great deal about elephants and about zoo work in general, elephant keeping in particular. A well-written solid book about a fascinating subject. I'm glad I happened upon this book, and do recommend it.
December 5, 2021
When I started reading this book, I was conflicted. While I still am on some level, this book helped me gain a new understanding of the intricacies of animal care in zoos. I’ve always been a firm believer that animals belong in the wild, assuming they have the resources and skills to survive there. However, for me, "Elephant Speak" helped to shed light on the continuous evolution of care that goes into maintaining these beautiful creatures. I believe there are deep issues with the treatment of animals in most human made environments, but I also now believe that there are people who deeply care about improving these environments. This book was very moving and perfectly captured the love that Henneous has for elephants. There was a contagious sense of wonder at their lives.
December 7, 2024
A surprisingly moving semi-memoir about Oregon Zoo's best elephant keeper. This book chronicles the life of Roger Henneous as he goes through life as an elephant keeper. It goes through the triumphs that the elephants of the Oregon zoo and Roger went through. The zoo was once an elephant breeding ground, they bred the most elephants in captivity at one point. At other times the book was very tender and soft, as it talked about Roger going through the loss of his elephants and his family. Overall, a very wonderful and insightful read about elephants and a zookeeper’s love for the animals he took care of.
April 21, 2020
This is a fascinating story about a fascinating man and his life with elephants. I learned a lot about elephants. I knew they were smart animals, but this story revealed a depth of intelligence and empathy in them that was surprising. They deserve our respect and protection. Our mistreatment of them in the wild (and sometimes in captivity) is on a par with genocide.
Melissa Crandall is a superb writer, in both fiction (see her fantasy novel "Weathercock") and non-fiction. This book is well worth a read.
Melissa Crandall is a superb writer, in both fiction (see her fantasy novel "Weathercock") and non-fiction. This book is well worth a read.
June 7, 2021
A Peaceful Read
I'm not normally a reader of books like this one but this book was the kind of peace I needed. The way it's written keeps me in the moments described within the book. I really loved the descriptions of the spaces within the Elephant section of the zoo and the map helps me understand how the story moves through each space and really get a good mental image of what is going on. I really enjoyed this book, and it was a nice break from everyday life.
I'm going to buy my sister a copy.
I'm not normally a reader of books like this one but this book was the kind of peace I needed. The way it's written keeps me in the moments described within the book. I really loved the descriptions of the spaces within the Elephant section of the zoo and the map helps me understand how the story moves through each space and really get a good mental image of what is going on. I really enjoyed this book, and it was a nice break from everyday life.
I'm going to buy my sister a copy.
December 9, 2024
Rather than a biography, this book reads like a love story. Just as the epigraph reads, the love between Roger and the elephants in his care is strongly apparent in Crandall’s writing. Throughout the book, I found myself feeling highly emotional towards each of the elephants and empathized with Roger in each of the stories related about his life at the Oregon Zoo. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to share the love he felt and is in need of the interspecies connection that can be found within the pages.
June 8, 2020
The heart of this book leaps out from every page. Roger and his elephants show us what true compassion and humanity is. This is a must read for anyone who loves these amazing animals. So often we take part in observing these animals in zoos without truly understanding what life is like for them and their keepers behind the scenes. Elephant Speak gives a much needed personal perspective on elephants in captivity.
August 28, 2020
This book is a hard to read but honest memoir of the life of an elephant keeper before we accepted how to deal with them safely and with the space and enclosures they need to live successfully in captivity. It has cheery moments, but there's a lot of death and sadness. An interesting read for animal lovers who are practical and not faint of heart when it comes to the realities of caring for animals in a zoo setting.
August 6, 2024
I am not much of a nonfiction reader, but this title pulled me in because of my love for animals. While difficult to read at times because of the treatment animals have received in the past, I appreciated the honest look this book gives into the lives of animals in captivity. This book was so heartwarming, I even shed a few tears at the end. Currently planning a trip to the Oregon Zoo and recommending this book to my dad, who is an animal lover like me.
December 25, 2020
Wow! This book was so good, I read it in 36 hours and 2 sittings. Fascinating account not only of an extraordinary man but how zoos, elephant conservation and training evolved from the 1970s onward. I laughed, I cried, I was appalled, I rejoiced.
If you love stories of interesting individuals, animals, elephants, the Oregon Zoo, or conservation, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
If you love stories of interesting individuals, animals, elephants, the Oregon Zoo, or conservation, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
December 30, 2023
I will always love any non-fiction book about elephants 💕 I’m so glad we got to hear Roger’s story and his dream job of being an elephant keeper. If only becoming any zookeeper was as easy as it was back then! Roger’s selflessness and views on not punishing the animals, making sure to understand them, and having a connection with them really resonated with me, and I’m sure with many other animal-lovers or zookeepers! I’m so glad he lead the way in elephant keeping with his tactics and was able to be a figure to many others. I also loved the mention of Brookfield Zoo (biased!) and the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, as I follow them and would love to volunteer there! There was one brief mention suggesting Roger should tell his story and he doesn’t think he’s special or that others would want to know, and I wish we got more insight into how this book came to be!
September 17, 2020
I loved all the elephants in this book and their stories even though it was difficult to read.
October 19, 2020
I really enjoyed. There was a double punch of interest for me with it being about animals and set locally, but I think it is thoughtful and interesting enough that those factors are not necessary.
February 25, 2021
Heartwarming true story of elephants and how they are cared for in captivity.
July 28, 2021
Beautiful books about elephants, their personalities, communication and devotion to each other, their danger and fragility, and the story of a devoted zookeeper.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews