A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss

Love it!

 Twitter Facebook In “A Passion for Elephants: the Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss,” Toni Buzzeo, former school librarian and the author of numerous children’s picture books including her African themed stories, has written a compelling children’s picture biography (and more) that you will find encourages children to be open to the possibilities in life and to embrace their interests no matter how big. Part biography, part animal nonfiction, part ecology essay, this book adds up to a big story about following your heart and finding your life’s work. Cynthia Moss was never daunted by big things. As a 7-year-old, she learned to ride a horse “so high you can’t see over it.” Her riding adventures introduced her to nature and the woods she would always love. While working as a magazine reporter, a college friend wrote to her from Africa. She was so intrigued by her friend’s descriptions she took the big step of visiting Africa.She felt so at home on this enormous continent she decided to stay. Searching for work, she met a zoologist who needed photographs of the 400 elephants he was studying. This was a big job to document and identify these enormous, gentle animals, but it only made Cynthia want to know more. For over 40 years, Moss has studied and championed African elephants after co-founding the Amboseli Elephant Research Project. She continues to tackle the enormous job of saving these big, beautiful animals threatened by ivory poachers.This is a big, inspiring story told in simple, eloquent prose that will enthrall aspiring scientists and other elephant-loving young readers. The illustrations, by award-winning illustrator Holly Berry, support the narrative with warmth and detail and sympathy. I loved this book, and know that young readers will love it, too.Popular children’s author Toni Buzzeo wrote the fiction picture book “One Cool Friend”, a 2013 Caldecott Honor award winner and this foray into nonfiction promises to be another favorite with our young readers, who know her well.

Summary: Cynthia Moss was never afraid of BIG things. That’s the recurring refrain in this story of scientist Cynthia Moss, who grew up riding horses in Virginia and went on to become a journalist. An invitation from a college friend sent her to Africa, where she got a job photographing elephants for a zoologist. This fueled her passion, and she began to recognize individual elephants and their families. She went on to found the Amboseli Elephant Research Project and made many new discoveries about elephant behavior. Eventually, concerned about the decline of elephant populations caused by poaching, Cynthia became an activist, working to get a global ban on the sale of ivory in 1990. Her work continues today, both researching and protecting the elephants she loves. Back matter includes further information about Moss, further reading, and additional sources. Grades K-3.Pros: An inspiring biography of a scientist who has made a difference. Less well-known the Jane Goodall, Cynthia Moss’s career parallels hers, in her long years studying animals in Africa and her work around the world to protect those animals. The colorful illustrations would make this a great read-aloud to share with kids.Cons: The most recent source listed in the additional resources is from 2010.

A Passion for Elephants is a delightful story about an adventuresome lady, Cynthia Moss. This book highlights elephants and world conservation. The author includes supplemental information about Cynthia Moss in the back of the book and sources for continued learning!Cynthia Moss explored her world as a “horse-loving little girl." As she grew older, one adventure after another came knocking at her door, and she always answered. After college, a spectacular adventure would soon happen, leading her to the savannahs of East Africa. She fell in love with the area and right away felt at home. Her world of awe and wonder landed her a job as a photographer, reporting to a scientist who was studying elephants. She learned quickly and wanted to know so much more. This was four decades ago, and today she is still passionately learning about elephants as a field scientist and animal-rights activist.Cynthia Moss bonded with the elephants on the Savannah and they trusted her. She saw family behavior amongst these animals that humans could learn from. See if you can spot these behaviors throughout the book!As this story unfolds, readers will learn about elephant poaching and see what Cynthia Moss has been doing to end it. Learn about her ongoing efforts to educate others and save elephants from extinction. - Reviewed by C. VanHook