School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Although other titles consider the lives of elephants in Africa, Cowcher's book is unique in its emphasis on the accommodations humans make to facilitate the migration of these huge animals. The author follows the 300-mile trek in Mali as the desert elephants search for water. The Dogon, Fulani, and Tuareg peoples, who live in the same region, communicate with one another by radio about the animals' movements and make sure the ancient routes remain unobstructed. When some newcomers build their home on the pathway that leads to the "Elephants' Doorway" through desert cliffs, elders in a nearby village devise a plan for the people to move out of the animals' way. Cowcher's paintings of the arid landscape and its rejuvenation by rain link the lives of elephants and humans in their mutual survival. The illustrations of elephants are more compelling than those of people, but the visuals do reinforce the theme of cooperation and conservation.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Explaining that the Mali elephants of West Africa follow a three-hundred mile circular route looking for watering holes, this story also focuses on how and why the local Dogon, Fulani, and Tuareg peoples allow the herds to migrate in peace. Cowcher's dramatic art depicts the elephants' journey and the people's welcoming reactions. An appended author's note gives more details. Websites. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Continuing her attention to the problems of coexistence between the natural world and man, Cowcher (Jaguar,1997, etc.) introduces this small band of northern elephants that survive in the arid Sahel thanks to their 300-mile annual migration. Her text is simple, a straightforward description of their journey interrupted by three different kinds of human encounters. Striking watercolor paintings fill double-page spreads, providing an artist's vision of the world of the elephants and of the people who live alongside them.A map of the elephants' journey begins and ends the book, though no larger map puts these two countries in their African context for readers unfamiliar with the geography. A lengthy set of author's notes adds information about the elephants, the African peoples mentioned, the importance of radio to desert peoples and the printed textiles shown in the illustrations.These notes, rather than the narrative, provide background for the pictures.Readers or listeners without previous experience with this part of the world may need that help to better understand the story.Visually appealing, but more likely to puzzle than inform.(Picture book. 5-9)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In Mali, West Africa, the last remaining desert elephants migrate 300 miles in search of water in a circular route just south of the Sahara desert. In this picture-book introduction, Cowcher's beautiful watercolor-and-mixed-media illustrations chart the animals' route, beginning with a map on the endpapers, as they travel through their long journey. Many scenes show groups of animals against the harsh landscape in shades of red and brown, which contrast with powerful close-ups, including a mother elephant sleeping with her baby and a frightening frontal view of a large, angry elephant disturbed by tourists and their noisy jeep. The present-day interaction with people is a crucial part of the well-told story, and the local Tuareg nomads protect the elephants and warn newcomers not to block the animals' path. Cowcher also shows glimpses of life for modern Malians: a young girl in a Tuareg camp likes to listen to the elephants in the dark and also to voices from the wider world on her radio. Detailed notes at the back include more information as well as suggestions for finding out more.--Rochman, Haze. Copyright 2010 Booklist
