Elephant alert by Jackie French
Ill. by Terry Whidborne. Animal Rescue series. Scholastic,
Australia: 2012. ISBN 9781741698480.
Recommended for readers 8+. Jackie French has taken the plight of
endangered animals as the theme of her new Animal Rescue series.
With her easy to read style and engaging if unusually talented
characters, her environmental message is conveyed with humour and
action. Elephant facts at the end add to the veracity of the
message.
Leo wishes something cool would happen as he sits talking with his
guinea pig one hot afternoon. He is friendless and considered weird
by his school mates. Then a robot gorilla arrives with an invitation
to tea from Mozz, granddaughter of Dr Drizzsock, local scientist.
Just a normal Sunday really!
This is the beginning of an amazing adventure to rescue elephants
from a tsunami threatening to engulf their island home off of
Sumatra. Leo's talent for speaking animal, rather than his
friendship with Mozz, is the reason he finds himself in the Sky
Tiger, a jet made entirely of recycled material, with Mozz and Fuzz,
a jealous 3 legged woof pup, flying faster than the speed of sound.
With the occasional illustration to add to the narrative, this is an
engaging series for the young adventurous environmentalist who will
gain some information about endangered animals whilst enjoying the
developing friendship between Mozz and Leo.
Sue Keane