This is an affecting and attractive picture book which tells the true story of a group of seven traumatized elephants—two adult females, two young bulls, and three youngsters—who came to stay at Lawrence Anthony’s animal reserve, Thula Thula, in Zululand (KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa). Lawrence had been asked to take them when a wildlife conservationist had run out of options. On their original reserve, these poor creatures had seen their relatives shot by poachers. The survivors had subsequently been moved from place to place, but they kept breaking out, apparently trying to return to home territory. In their most recent escape attempt, they’d wreaked havoc on local homes, trampling gardens, breaking windows and furniture. Lawrence’s reserve was not set up for elephants: there were no electrified fences to keep the elephants enclosed. No matter. When he heard they would be killed if he could not accept them, the decision was made in a heartbeat.

Getting them to Thula Thula was a major undertaking. The original matriarch and her young one escaped during loading. Because they were so aggressive and out of control, the pair were shot. Initially a group of nine, the remaining seven were transported 600 miles, 18 hours by truck, to Lawrence and his wife’s land. During that time, he had managed to have electric wire installed in the 20 miles of fence that surrounded the reserve. When the animals arrived, Lawrence named the new matriarch Nana. Fairly promptly, she figured out how to break the group free of the “boma” (pen) in which they were enclosed. The elephants travelled north for days. Lawrence and his workers tried to locate them. Luckily, a helicopter pilot friend of his finally spotted the animals from above. They were tranquilized, hoisted on trucks, and returned to Thula Thula. If this happened again, Lawrence was cautioned, the animals would be destroyed.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Lawrence camped out near the boma containing the elephants. This time he was aware of Nana’s intention to break free. Forced to improvise, he approached the boma. This was her home, he told her. If she and the others ran away again, they would not live. In the days and weeks that followed, Lawrence stayed close by. Nana grew used to his scent. He spoke to her, sang to her, and gained her trust . . . and one day she placed the tip of her trunk in his rounded palm. (This is captured in a lovely full-page illustration unaccompanied by text.)

Over time, the reader is told, more elephants were brought to the reserve, and two herds formed. Animals were born, and animals died, including Lawrence’s trusty canine friend of many years (who is shown in so many of the illustrations). And then, suddenly, Lawrence himself died while away on a trip.

The book takes its title from the elephants’ act of remembrance. Two days after their beloved human friend’s death, Nana led the group of almost thirty elephants many miles across the reserve to stand near Laurence’s home. This journey was repeated on the first and second anniversaries of his death.

O’Connell’s book is easy to recommend. Given that it is intended for children, the author understandably refrains from providing much information about poaching in the narrative itself. (The matter is, however, briefly addressed in some notes at the end of the book.) There is also no background information about wild animal reserves in South Africa, but the author provides several websites for young readers, and includes a nice list of books for further reading.

I really liked O’Connell’s bright acrylic-paint illustrations. They evoke the verdant subtropical environment of that part of South Africa. Only one painting seemed a bit careless: it shows Laurence with his hands apparently on the electrified fence of elephant enclosure. A statement in the text about how elephants use their trunks is also slightly problematic. The reader is told that when the elephants went on one rampage, “they tore open sacks of corn meal and sucked up the corn with their trunks.” This is a little misleading. Elephants certainly use their trunks to suck up water, which they then hose into their mouths. They also use suction to grab quantities of small pieces of food, such as leaves, before bringing them to their mouths; however, they do not hoover up small grains or flakes of bran. In 2021, a scientific team studying how elephants use their trunks concluded that the animals refrain from suction of such foodstuff to ensure that no tiny grains become lodged in their trunks or are inhaled. For finer materials, elephants use the opposable “fingers” on their trunk to grasp matter such as grain or bran.

In the final pages of the book, a question-and-answer format is employed to present further information about Lawrence Anthony, Thula Thula, and poaching. Also provided is some fascinating general information about elephants, including their sophisticated methods of communication and their ability to celebrate and to mourn.

A final passage from the book:

When Lawrence became known as “the elephant whisperer” he responded, “It was they who whispered to me, and taught me how to listen.” Lawrence’s story inspires us to “listen” to other beings—people and animals, who are different from us—and to listen to our own true voice, deep within ourselves.

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing me with an advance reading copy.


Rating: 4.5 rounded up

This was a touching and beautifully illustrated story of the bond between a caretaker and his elephants. The story is touching in that we are not so different from other species. I think that this would be a great addition to any classroom or library.

I enjoyed this book…it tells the true story of an elephant (Nana) and her herd and how they came to trust a man, Lawrence Anthony, and live in his sanctuary of Thula Thula. Over time, the elephants began to recognize Lawrence and his routine. However, when Lawrence unexpectedly dies, the elephants seem to instinctually know of his passing and mourn his death as a collective herd. The story is very touching and wonderfully honored in this book. ❤️🐘

I absolutely loved this story! It’s inspiring, heart wrenching and courageous. We have enjoyed this book several times now. The illustrations are so captivating, the wording is the perfect amount on each page to keep my child engaged.

This is one of the most beautiful books ever. A true story, that truly will pull at your heart strings. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. There is nothing about this book you won't love. A must own.

Based on a true story, Elephants Remember is not only one of the most beautifully illustrated animal stories I have seen but it is also such a heart-warming, ugly crying, sweet read. It is one of the best animal books around and if you love stories like Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan or the various Michael Morpurgo titles, then you will love Jennifer O'Connell's book Elephants Remember. This book starts with a guy named Lawrence who owns a haven for animals in South Africa. He has been asked to look after a herd of elephants, at first, he is reluctant as he doesn't have the equipment needed e.g. fencing and the space for them. Lawrence eventually is persuaded as he realizes if he doesn't save them, then they will be sadly hunted and killed by poachers which animal lover Lawrence won't let happen. It's not an easy task, as the elephants start to escape but each time Lawrence brings them back to safety and cares for them. Over time, they start to bond a relationship with Lawrence and soon the animals are set out to the wild. Years later Lawrence passes away and the Matriarch elephant aka Nana leads a group of elephants from all across Africa to the safe haven. The title though comes from the fact that every year since, on the anniversary of Lawrence's death - a group of Elephants shows up at the safe haven to pay their respects to Lawrence as the saying goes an Elephant always remembers and never forgets. Elephants Remember is such a sweet read and perfect for children aged 6-10 years old.

Elephants Remember: A True Story by Jennifer O’Connell (Tilbury House, 2022) tells the true story of the “Elephant Whisperer,” Lawrence Anthony, who ran a wild animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa. Despite the wild nature of a herd of elephants, with Anthony’s care and civility, the herd is able to thrive in his reserve.

When wild elephants disrupt human population centers, they are destined to be killed until Lawrence Anthony speaks up. Even as a director of a wild animal reserve, he had never taken care of elephants. Nevertheless, he allows them to come to his haven rather than be killed. After they arrive, the matriarch led the herd in escaping the enclosure for multiple nights, and Anthony was losing time. Authorities would not allow the elephants to live if they couldn’t be controlled.

He then uses his powers of observation to see just how panicked the herd is. Intuitively, he speaks gently to the matriarch, despite the fact that only a thin fence separates them. As she calms and comes to know him, the elephant herd is able to not just survive in the wild animal reserve but also thrive.

Anthony’s story is so sincere. While I’m not familiar with elephants and their memories, it was very sweet that the matriarch knew him, recognized him, and appreciated him. Further, I love the emphasis that animals have feelings too. They are terrified and frustrated when their world is disturbed. This is a great book for animal lovers!

This nonfiction picture book has gorgeous illustrations and shares the touching story of how a conservationist gradually won the trust of traumatized elephants, protected them, and bonded with them. When he died years later, the elephants made a pilgrimage to his home, and they returned on the same day for the following two years. The text conveys this story in a sensitive, beautiful, and touching way, and it will appeal to a broad audience.

However, because this book deals with heavy themes related to animal abuse and death, parents and educators should take children's needs into account before sharing this with them. Just because this is in a picture book format doesn't mean that it's necessarily suitable for young children, and this may also be difficult for some highly sensitive school-age children to process. Nonetheless, this is a profound and meaningful story about the intelligence of animals and the power of the emotional bonds that humans and animals can form together.

Such a beautiful and poignant true story of the friendship and trust developed over time between one caring man and the elephants he rescued. Clearly written with exquisite illustrations, this book will appeal to a wide range of kids and adults.

How I loved this moving true story of Lawrence Anthony and the profound connection he had with the matriarch of the elephant herd he saved at his South African reserve. The gorgeous illustrations capture how difficult it was at first to gain their trust, and how they truly mourned him when he died, returning two years on the same day to honor him. Perfect for readers 6-8 and adults who share their love of these intelligent creatures. Out November 1.

Did you know elephants have 42,000 muscles in their trunk? I admire the people who rescued these elephants. This will be a great narrative nonfiction selection for my classroom once it is released.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tilbury House Publishers for a free digital copy.

A beautiful story of a real life elephant and the man that gained her trust and saved her life. The illustrations are lovely, but the story will touch your heart. I think this is a great book to read about animal conservation and the intelligence of elephants.