See my Q&A including updates with Carol Buckley and learn more about Tarra at www.readrantrockandroll.com

Just for Elephants by Carol Buckley is a book about Shirley the elephant. She’s spent many years of her life in a zoo and will now be transferred to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The story covers her traveling experience to her new destination, first days at her new home, and relationships she builds with the other elephants.

This is a great story about Shirley and after reading so many books on Tarra, it was nice to learn about another elephant’s story and introduction to the Elephant Sanctuary. It’s written well and once again, the photography pulls you in and readers will see just how wonderful and majestic these beings are. I’m thoroughly amazed at how loving elephants are towards each other and how these family relationships are necessary for their happiness. They typically have to have a ‘bestie’, are a lot like humans with their emotions, and grieve like we do.

The back of the book contains information about how the Elephant Sanctuary got started, how the elephants are cared for, why there are only females, and other facts. I highly recommend this book for classrooms and libraries. Anyone who loves animals will enjoy it. ( )

Carol Buckley, whose first pachyderm-focused picture-book, Travels With Tarra (published in 2002), set out the early life of her own beloved Tarra, who became the first resident of the elephant sanctuary Buckley subsequently established in Tennessee, here relates the story of Shirley, another survivor of circuses and zoos, who came to the sanctuary in 1999. Having endured mistreatment, injury (her leg was broken, after another elephant in the circus attacked her), and years of isolation at a zoo, Shirley found a society of her peers at the sanctuary, and was joyfully reunited with Jenny, a pachyderm pal from years before. Here, in the peace and quiet of Tennessee, Shirley discovered the freedom and friendship she'd always been denied, and a place to call home. A place 'just for elephants.'

As a confirmed elephant lover - a 'pachyderm person' - I was pretty much guaranteed to love any story in which a lonely elephant, older and broken down from years of mistreatment, finds a happy home at last, and sure enough, I found myself tearing up, as I read Just for Elephants on my commute this morning. Anyone with a heart will be moved by this poignant story, and young animals lovers in particular - don't all children adore elephants? I know I did! - will enjoy learning about Shirley's journey to a brighter future. Highly recommended to all elephant lovers, along with Buckley's other titles, Travels With Tarra and Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends! ( )

This book tells the nonfiction story of how Shirley comes to live at the elephant sanctuary and makes friends with Jenny. This book follows a picture book format and is accessible to all ages with teacher support.For the complete review with an extensive teaching lesson plan and resources visit Reading Rumpus, a children's literature & reading education website. ( )

It's hard to believe but, there are elephants roaming the countryside of rural Tennessee. Delight in the story of Shirley, an elderly, disabled, former circus performer as she is moved from her lonely existence at a zoo where she's been housed for many years, to the wide open spaces of The Elephant Sanctuary and the remarkle Carol Buckley and Scott Blais who have spent their adult lives making better lives for these phenomenal creatures.