Viku and the Elephant is a story of a boy and a young elephant who become friends in a forest in India. Haatee the elephant communicates with only two sounds – a happy trumpet or a sad cry – but Viku and Haatee understand each other perfectly. The story of their adventures together unfolds quickly, as they take on ivory thieves and thwart their selfish, evil plans.
This little gem of a story grew out of a fable the author used to tell his own children when they were little. They would ask to hear it over and over again. Now the story is here for all children to enjoy.
This book works well as a read-aloud story for young children, suitable for early readers (2nd and 3rd grades) and excellent for 4th and 5th graders who are ready for chapter books.
It has classic themes: man against man, man against nature, good versus evil, and the illustrations are nice.
-Charles Stevens, Editor, Bloomberg News.
…enough suspense and action to keep the attention of the children who are just beginning to take on the complexities of longer and more challenging chapter books. … Whereas Horton, Dumbo, and Babar (lovable as they may be) are elephants one might want to befriend, one does not encounter them in their natural habitats. This heightens the vicarious experience of the reader.
-Susan Seefeldt, Youth Services Department, Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Library, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Praise from National Award Winning Teachers
… sincere and smooth writing, as if the story was being told amongst friends. The reader discovers the beauty and gifts of the land and culture of India, so beautifully depicted by Lynn Wolfe’s colorful and rich illustrations, while at the same time being made aware of a global issue, the heartlessness and severity of the ivory trade. Children and adults alike will cherish this wonderful tale.
–Roni Gold, Milken Educator Award (2010), Springfield, Massachusetts.
As an assistant principal, I had the opportunity to share Viku and the Elephant with a class of fifth graders. I told them we would review it together. But, as we began to read, they forgot about our task as reviewers and just simply enjoyed the story. This story takes us to another place in our world, and introduces us to another culture. A new place we were able to research afterwards. We read the story in 3 parts, and students did not want me to stop each time.
–Deanna Nadeau, Milken Educator Award (2004), Lewiston, Maine.
Viku and the Elephant is an extraordinary story of the adventures of a boy and his great big friend. I was on the edge of my seat and it left me wanting to read more. The vivid details tell the story like it is …the culture in the story is well kept. …wonderful work in educating our children.
–Rogelio Garcia, Milken Educator Award (2010), Dallas, Texas.
The story gives all readers, young and old, a glimpse into the cultural values and hardships of an impoverished Indian boy. … students could learn a great deal comparing their lives to Viku's and by discussing the decisions Viku makes in the story.
–Joel Robins, Milken Educator Award (2010), Chesapeake, Virginia.
Viku and the Elephant is a wonderful story that can teach us all about the importance of friendship and doing the right thing. The special bond between Viku and Haatee is really what drew me into this story. I also appreciate how this story exposes students to India and the Indian culture.
–Martin Martinez, Milken Educator Award (2010), Gresham, Oregon.
…weaves beautifully written details and vibrant visuals …it is well paced, engaging, and easy to read. The reader is rewarded with a glimpse of another culture, and it offers children the opportunity to expand vocabulary and embrace cultural connections. … it would be an excellent book to use in K-5 reading.
–Kathie J. Heusel, Milken Educator Award (2008), Great Falls, Montana.
Born in Calcutta, India, Debu Majumdar came to the U.S. in 1964 to do graduate work and received a doctorate degree in physics. His book From the Ganges to the Snake River was first published by Idaho State University and then by Caxton Press in 2000; it interweaves Indian culture with North-West American reality. His children’s book Viku and the Elephant was published in 2011. He currently writes Op-Ed Columns for two Idaho newspapers. He lives with his wife in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
