Description:
Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read Aloud!
Recommended for ages 10-14 * we used this as a read aloud (mom) to 8 and 9 year old boysIsn’t it many home educators joy to be able to captivate your students in a book that pairs history and fiction? In this book, An Elephant In The Garden, the story was just that… captivating! The setting is Dresden, Germany during WWII and is inspired by a true story about an elephant rescued from a Belfast Zoo to escape certain death as bombers narrowed in.The story begins with a sweet elderly woman named Lizzy telling, what many think are just made up tales, of an elephant in her garden. Intrigued, a caregiver and her son Karl stay one day to hear more. The minutes turn in to hours as they sit listening intently, realizing quickly that this is certainly not a made up tall tale but a very real, personal life story of a family torn away from everything they know by war. A surprising and suspenseful journey across Germany and a frightening encounter with an enemy combat who joins the families journey makes this an unpredictable and engaging book for children and adults alike.Many times throughout this book I was made to pause as the kids demanded more information about the war, who was involved, who were the ‘good guys’, why the war even happened, and on and on. As a parent I was delighted to see their minds thoughtfully attempting to process WWII, from a new perspective: The Germans.They wanted to understand Americas involvement and the details of why the bombing raids took place. This story helped us ponder life for the Germans during a time of division and fear. I agree with the recommended age of 10-14 as a silent reader as the book does have some dark elements as the bombing of Dresden and firestorm that followed killed thousands. Also romance is included, although clean, it may not be suitable for young readers.Overall, this book was inspiring as the author was able to incorporate the horror of war, a focus on helping others and working together, a look into lives of refugees and their experiences as they try to survive. It was emotional, and magical with the addition with this ‘Gentle Giant’, Marlene the elephant that really kept this family alive and together.We picked this book up off Bolo for $6.99 and it will be a keeper on the shelf!
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
This book was a great read. I would say for all ages. I read the book in under a week even with a pack schedule. Every small break in time I got I was right back to this book. The flow of the story was easy to follow. I want to give the author kudos for sharing this story. Great book slightly under 200 pages before the author notes.
4.0 out of 5 stars A YA WW2 Story with a truly unique POV
The American book market is, its fair to say, absolutely saturated with WW2 fiction for both children and adults. There are many good stories out there - starting with Anne Frank, of course, and moving on through contemporary classics such as Number the Stars and The Book Thief. This sweet tale deserves a junior status alongside the greats.Based loosely on the dual true stories of zookeepers who saved their charges during the war and the Feb 1945 devastating fire bombing of Dresden, Germany by Allied forces, The Elephant in the Garden delivers the shattering history of the Allied destruction of Dresden with the sweet touch of an elephant named Marlene. Marlene, orphaned during the war and looked after by “Mutti,” comes home to the spend the evenings in the family garden to help the young (4yo) elephant cope with the loss of her mother. Her handler, known only as Mutti, has two children and has been working at the zoo to help make ends meet while her husband is fighting at the Russian front.Marlene, with her elephantine wisdom and kindness, brings much joy to the family as 1945 begins, and through a series of events, unwittingly helps her adopted family escape the firebombing of Dresden over the weekend of Feb 13-15, 1945. Now homeless and without any resources, the family begins an astonishing journey across southern Germany as they first try to escape the Dresden attacks and then decide that they would do anything not to fall into the clutches of The quickly advancing Soviet Army. Their flight westward is filled with unexpected adventures, a bit of suffering, and encounters of the most unexpected kind. All along, Marlene provides comfort, friendship, and transport for the youngest child, Karli, who suffers from asthma and a leg deformity.All in all, this is a sweet but not saccharine tale that introduces a horrific event of the Second World War for which the “good guys” are entirely responsible, offering middle grade students an opportunity to think about the costs of war, the meaning of sacrifice, and whether and how to label “good guys” and “bad guys” even in the midst of the last “good war” America fought. Definitely worth a read and discussion. I do wish there had been more specificity regarding events and timelines - to show where the family traveled and when events occurred would have been helpful - and really brought home the fact that the family fled a great distance fearing not only the bombing runs but also the actions of the Soviets as they advanced towards Berlin, setting up the historical context for understanding some of the key factors that explain how and why the US and the Soviets went from wartime allies to bitter enemies in less than two years.A well written and engaging tale. Perfect for early middle grade students or those who really want to learn about the war but can’t handle the death and destruction that accompanies most sources; The Elephant In the Garden has a feather light touch when it comes to key moments of death and destruction, which I know will be greatly appreciated by my own middle grade reader.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read.
Just finished reading.
5.0 out of 5 stars It's an easy read for anyone.
A wonderful story to read. i loved it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
My rising 5th grader loves this. It was a great book that kept his interest and added to his background of the time period.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant true story.
This book is lovely! I bought 2 of them.
5.0 out of 5 stars So wonderful
The writing was amazing, the emotions displayed in the book was wonderful. I recommend this book to all parents for their children
Good read!
Toll als Englischlektüre imOriginal mit 14 Jährigen zu lesen, die parallel auch im Geschichtsunterricht den 2. Weltkrieg behandelt haben!
A fascinating story
A wonderful story of hardship and joy
AMAZING BOOK!!!!
I really like this book with the plot the details and the characters. It’s about a story of a family who like has to escape the war in Germany. Would say it’s maybe 7+ but if you want to buy it for a child and don’t want them to read about the war then it’s like 12+. Overall really satisfied and I really recommend it!!
Spell bindingintly read
Fiona Clarke is one of those fantastic narrators who brings a book alive by conveying characters just as you might imagine them. Another one of Michael Morpurgo's amazing stories, set during World War II, this book will give children a real feel for the times which their forebears experienced. Although hailed as a children's author, I think adults will thoroughly enjoy this book. Those born after the war, whose parents may now be dead, could do far worse than read this, as well as "The Amazing Story of Adophus Tips", "Private Peaceful" and "Friend or Foe" to name but a few of this author's works.
This story will stay with you.
An unusual setting, the story features a German family during World War II. We don't often read things from that perspective but you will instantly like these characters and be drawn in to their hardships, family relationships and unique war experiences (which include an elephant!). It is historical and educational but not dry with moments of sadness, humour, danger and love. I highly recommend it for tweens and adults alike.
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An Elephant in the Garden: Inspired by a True Story
AED7385
Quantity:
Order today to get by
Free delivery on orders over AED 200
Imported From: United States
At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.
We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.
Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
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Similar items from “Military & Wars”
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Visit the Square Fish Store
An Elephant in the Garden: Inspired by a True Story
AED7385
Quantity:
Order today to get by
Free delivery on orders over AED 200
Imported From: United States
At bolo.ae, we stand behind the authenticity and quality of every product we sell. We guarantee that all items offered on our website are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorized distributors, trusted partners, or the original brands themselves.
We do not sell counterfeit, replica, or unauthorized goods. Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support . We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, including images, descriptions, and reviews, is provided by third-party vendors. bolo.ae is not responsible for any claims, promotions, or representations made within product content or images. For more accurate or detailed product information, please contact the manufacturer directly or reach out to Bolo Support.
Unless otherwise stated during checkout, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
bolo.ae operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read Aloud!
Recommended for ages 10-14 * we used this as a read aloud (mom) to 8 and 9 year old boysIsn’t it many home educators joy to be able to captivate your students in a book that pairs history and fiction? In this book, An Elephant In The Garden, the story was just that… captivating! The setting is Dresden, Germany during WWII and is inspired by a true story about an elephant rescued from a Belfast Zoo to escape certain death as bombers narrowed in.The story begins with a sweet elderly woman named Lizzy telling, what many think are just made up tales, of an elephant in her garden. Intrigued, a caregiver and her son Karl stay one day to hear more. The minutes turn in to hours as they sit listening intently, realizing quickly that this is certainly not a made up tall tale but a very real, personal life story of a family torn away from everything they know by war. A surprising and suspenseful journey across Germany and a frightening encounter with an enemy combat who joins the families journey makes this an unpredictable and engaging book for children and adults alike.Many times throughout this book I was made to pause as the kids demanded more information about the war, who was involved, who were the ‘good guys’, why the war even happened, and on and on. As a parent I was delighted to see their minds thoughtfully attempting to process WWII, from a new perspective: The Germans.They wanted to understand Americas involvement and the details of why the bombing raids took place. This story helped us ponder life for the Germans during a time of division and fear. I agree with the recommended age of 10-14 as a silent reader as the book does have some dark elements as the bombing of Dresden and firestorm that followed killed thousands. Also romance is included, although clean, it may not be suitable for young readers.Overall, this book was inspiring as the author was able to incorporate the horror of war, a focus on helping others and working together, a look into lives of refugees and their experiences as they try to survive. It was emotional, and magical with the addition with this ‘Gentle Giant’, Marlene the elephant that really kept this family alive and together.We picked this book up off Bolo for $6.99 and it will be a keeper on the shelf!
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
This book was a great read. I would say for all ages. I read the book in under a week even with a pack schedule. Every small break in time I got I was right back to this book. The flow of the story was easy to follow. I want to give the author kudos for sharing this story. Great book slightly under 200 pages before the author notes.
4.0 out of 5 stars A YA WW2 Story with a truly unique POV
The American book market is, its fair to say, absolutely saturated with WW2 fiction for both children and adults. There are many good stories out there - starting with Anne Frank, of course, and moving on through contemporary classics such as Number the Stars and The Book Thief. This sweet tale deserves a junior status alongside the greats.Based loosely on the dual true stories of zookeepers who saved their charges during the war and the Feb 1945 devastating fire bombing of Dresden, Germany by Allied forces, The Elephant in the Garden delivers the shattering history of the Allied destruction of Dresden with the sweet touch of an elephant named Marlene. Marlene, orphaned during the war and looked after by “Mutti,” comes home to the spend the evenings in the family garden to help the young (4yo) elephant cope with the loss of her mother. Her handler, known only as Mutti, has two children and has been working at the zoo to help make ends meet while her husband is fighting at the Russian front.Marlene, with her elephantine wisdom and kindness, brings much joy to the family as 1945 begins, and through a series of events, unwittingly helps her adopted family escape the firebombing of Dresden over the weekend of Feb 13-15, 1945. Now homeless and without any resources, the family begins an astonishing journey across southern Germany as they first try to escape the Dresden attacks and then decide that they would do anything not to fall into the clutches of The quickly advancing Soviet Army. Their flight westward is filled with unexpected adventures, a bit of suffering, and encounters of the most unexpected kind. All along, Marlene provides comfort, friendship, and transport for the youngest child, Karli, who suffers from asthma and a leg deformity.All in all, this is a sweet but not saccharine tale that introduces a horrific event of the Second World War for which the “good guys” are entirely responsible, offering middle grade students an opportunity to think about the costs of war, the meaning of sacrifice, and whether and how to label “good guys” and “bad guys” even in the midst of the last “good war” America fought. Definitely worth a read and discussion. I do wish there had been more specificity regarding events and timelines - to show where the family traveled and when events occurred would have been helpful - and really brought home the fact that the family fled a great distance fearing not only the bombing runs but also the actions of the Soviets as they advanced towards Berlin, setting up the historical context for understanding some of the key factors that explain how and why the US and the Soviets went from wartime allies to bitter enemies in less than two years.A well written and engaging tale. Perfect for early middle grade students or those who really want to learn about the war but can’t handle the death and destruction that accompanies most sources; The Elephant In the Garden has a feather light touch when it comes to key moments of death and destruction, which I know will be greatly appreciated by my own middle grade reader.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable read.
Just finished reading.
5.0 out of 5 stars It's an easy read for anyone.
A wonderful story to read. i loved it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
My rising 5th grader loves this. It was a great book that kept his interest and added to his background of the time period.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant true story.
This book is lovely! I bought 2 of them.
5.0 out of 5 stars So wonderful
The writing was amazing, the emotions displayed in the book was wonderful. I recommend this book to all parents for their children
Good read!
Toll als Englischlektüre imOriginal mit 14 Jährigen zu lesen, die parallel auch im Geschichtsunterricht den 2. Weltkrieg behandelt haben!
A fascinating story
A wonderful story of hardship and joy
AMAZING BOOK!!!!
I really like this book with the plot the details and the characters. It’s about a story of a family who like has to escape the war in Germany. Would say it’s maybe 7+ but if you want to buy it for a child and don’t want them to read about the war then it’s like 12+. Overall really satisfied and I really recommend it!!
Spell bindingintly read
Fiona Clarke is one of those fantastic narrators who brings a book alive by conveying characters just as you might imagine them. Another one of Michael Morpurgo's amazing stories, set during World War II, this book will give children a real feel for the times which their forebears experienced. Although hailed as a children's author, I think adults will thoroughly enjoy this book. Those born after the war, whose parents may now be dead, could do far worse than read this, as well as "The Amazing Story of Adophus Tips", "Private Peaceful" and "Friend or Foe" to name but a few of this author's works.
This story will stay with you.
An unusual setting, the story features a German family during World War II. We don't often read things from that perspective but you will instantly like these characters and be drawn in to their hardships, family relationships and unique war experiences (which include an elephant!). It is historical and educational but not dry with moments of sadness, humour, danger and love. I highly recommend it for tweens and adults alike.
More from this brand
Similar items from “Military & Wars”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U1250034140