Surviving the Wild: Star the Elephant - Hardcover

Lai, Remy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1250784999 ISBN 13: 9781250784995

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2022

Synopsis

Planet Earth meets Narwhal and Jelly in this funny and suspenseful young reader graphic novel adventure series featuring heroic animals! Inspired by true events, the book includes facts about climate change, elephants, and how kids can help protect the environment.

"A heartening and pensive story, told through irresistibly charming art, Star the Elephant is an utter delight." ―John Patrick Green, New York Times-bestselling creator of InvestiGators

Star the Elephant and his herd are searching for a new home. But when Star is separated from his family, he must journey alone into the great unknown. He'll come face to face with giant spiders, the vast ocean beyond his island, and strange humans. Can Star find his way back to his family?

About this title

About the Author

Remy Lai studied fine arts, with a major in painting and drawing. She was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she writes and draws stories for kids with her two dogs by her side. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, Pawcasso, the Surviving the Wild series, Ghost Book, Read at Your Own Risk, and Chickenpox.

Reviews

Gr 1-3-Part of Lai's new wildlife-focused young readers graphic novel series, this tale centers on Star, a pink-hued, rambunctious young elephant who loves to frolic in the river and look for food with his herd. When a dwindling food supply forces the herd to split up, Star sets off with his mother and aunt to find a better place to graze, only to run into human deforestation efforts. A prolonged swim to a nearby island leads to more drama. Star must avoid capture by game wardens, which forces him to break his mother's one rule: stay where she can see him. Staying safe has never been trickier, and Star wonders if he will ever see his mother again. Pulled in by simple yet adorable illustrations-which have a childlike, hand-drawn feel-young readers will eagerly follow Star's journey as he explores his rapidly expanding world and works hard to survive. The young elephant's desire for independence in the face of his mother's desire to keep him safe is especially relatable. Lai's narrative highlights daily elephant life, the impact of deforestation, and the dual-edged nature of human interactions within wildlife ecosystems. After the main narrative, a section details the real-life inspiration behind Star's story (in 1990, three bull elephants in Malaysia in search of a new home traveled to Singapore) and provides eco-friendly tips for young readers. VERDICT Don't be fooled by the cute package; despite the adorable trappings, this tender tale packs an all too timely environmental message.-Pearl Derlagaα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1250784999
• ISBN 13: 9781250784995
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 112