Mother To Elephants: The Story of Daphne Sheldrick

One little girl. One big dream. And hundreds of orphaned elephants who needed her.

From the moment young Daphne discovered the wonders of Africa's wildlife, she knew animals would always have a special place in her heart.

But when orphaned baby elephants began arriving in desperate need of help, Daphne Sheldrick faced an extraordinary challenge. These little elephants needed more than food and shelter. They needed love, patience, protection, and someone who would never give up on them.

Could Daphne become the mother they had lost?

Mother to Elephants: The Story of Daphne Sheldrick brings to life the remarkable true story of a girl whose love for animals grew into a lifelong mission to rescue and protect elephants.

Through beautiful watercolor illustrations and heartfelt storytelling, young readers discover how kindness, courage, compassion, and determination can change the lives of animals in need.

An inspiring children's picture book biography for ages 6–9, this unforgettable true story introduces young readers to elephant rescue, animal conservation, wildlife education, and the extraordinary bond between humans and animals.

Perfect for animal-loving children, family read-alouds, classroom discussions, and young readers who enjoy true stories about inspiring women who changed the world.

A Story That Inspires Children to Care for Animals

Whether children already have a beloved pet, dream of having one, or simply love animals, Daphne's remarkable story helps them understand that caring for another living being takes patience, responsibility, kindness, and love.

From caring for pets at home to protecting endangered wildlife, young readers discover that every animal deserves compassion—and that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

One small act of kindness can grow into something extraordinary.

R.G. de Rouen is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut and writes fiction that inspires a love of reading with a pinch of humor along the way. Throughout his 25+ years as an elementary teacher throughout the world, he has also been an advocate of animal and nature protection which he brings into his nonfiction stories.Books For Benjamin, his first picture book, has been widely recognized and received several awards, including the 2024 Readers' Choice Gold Award Winner for Best Children's Book (Ages 3-7) and the Readers' Favorite Silver Medal. Like his fictional character Benjamin, R.G. de Rouen can't live without books! Mother To Elephants, a non-fiction picture book biography, portrays the life of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Her dedication in rescuing baby orphan elephants in Kenya, serves as a great inspiration to children and adults alike. To find out more about the author, please visit him at rgderouen.com

Kateryna Rohotova (Kate) is an illustrator from Ukraine. She graduated from Luhansk State Institute of Culture and Arts as a digital artist. She worked for eight years as a 2D artist in the gaming industry, but in 2018 she became a freelance artist. Now her favorite part of her job is creating watercolor illustrations for children's books. Her hobbies include handmade crafts, photography, cooking, and aquariums... but drawing is the main passion of her life.