When Anju Loved Being an Elephant

K-Gr 3—Taken from her home in Indonesia when she was five years old, Anju has lived in captivity, performing with an American circus for 35 years, followed by 15 years in a small zoo. This story begins when Vincent, her current caretaker, leads her into a semitrailer and takes her to a sanctuary. As they travel, the elephant has flashbacks to her early years in Sumatra with her family and her best friend, Lali. She also remembers the constant traveling with the circus, the "hours chained to one spot," kind and cruel trainers, and how she was always looking for elephant friends. She wonders where Vincent is taking her as she observes the passing scenery depicted in Butler's soft watercolor scenes of misty morning vistas, sleepy farmlands, and peaceful, rolling hills. At last, they arrive at their destination where a woman is waiting to welcome her and the smell of elephants is all around. Vincent tells Anju, "I'll miss you, girl, but now you're free." The author states, "Although Anju is a fictional elephant, her story rings true for the majority of elephants in captivity. Anju's retirement to a wonderful elephant sanctuary is the outcome desired to bring dignity and respect to all captive elephants." A touching, bittersweet story.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH