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The Elephant Scientist (Scientists in the Field)
by
Caitlin O'Connell,
Donna M. Jackson (Goodreads Author), Timothy Rodwell, Caitlin O'Connell Rodwell
2012Robert F.Sibert Honor Book In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park, they call her “the mother of all elephants.” Holding binoculars closely to her eyes, American scientist Caitlin O’Connell could not believe what she was seeing from these African elephants: as the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopped mi...more
Hardcover, 80 pages
Published
July 11th 2011
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
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I'm probably a bit biased because I adore elephants, but this book was a Sibert Honor Book and has won other accolades. Telling the story of O'Connell's foray into science and then into monitoring the elephants in Africa and conducting studies on not only the sound frequencies but their ground vibration communication, this book has beautifully deep images of the elephants, scientific explanations of the experiments and a bit about living in the wild and conducting research.
There's not much more...more
There's not much more...more
Genre: Informational
Summary: This book follows Caitlin O'Connell, a biologist, as she follows a herd of elephants through Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa. The book presents a plethora of information on elephants, including information on the different species of elephant, their eating habits, behaviors, emotions, and how they interact with other animals.
A)Area of Focus: Organization
B) The author presents quite a bit of information on elephants in a somewhat confusing and disorganized way...more
Summary: This book follows Caitlin O'Connell, a biologist, as she follows a herd of elephants through Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa. The book presents a plethora of information on elephants, including information on the different species of elephant, their eating habits, behaviors, emotions, and how they interact with other animals.
A)Area of Focus: Organization
B) The author presents quite a bit of information on elephants in a somewhat confusing and disorganized way...more
Genre: Informational
Summary: This informational text takes the reader on a journey through the Namibian desert, as the scientist Caitlin O’ Connell studies the African elephants in their natural habitat.
Critique:
a. The organization of the text.
b. This informational book is jam-packed full of interesting information about elephants and their habitat. Though there is a lot of information, it is organized in such a way that the reader doesn’t get lost or confused. There are many text features used...more
Sibert Honor Book Assignment:
The Elephant Scientist is a 2012 Robert F.Sibert Honor Book. Caitlin O'Connell is an American scientist who goes to Africa to study the life of elephants. One of the many facts that surprised me was that elephants lives in a matriarch society. With predators surrounding the African lands, the matriarch stands still and sends signals to the herd using her limbs. The vibrations of the elephants' limbs communicates to one another. I am so amazed by these beautiful crea...more
The Elephant Scientist is a 2012 Robert F.Sibert Honor Book. Caitlin O'Connell is an American scientist who goes to Africa to study the life of elephants. One of the many facts that surprised me was that elephants lives in a matriarch society. With predators surrounding the African lands, the matriarch stands still and sends signals to the herd using her limbs. The vibrations of the elephants' limbs communicates to one another. I am so amazed by these beautiful crea...more
When Caitlin O'Connell was a child, she loved observing animals in the wild. She grew up to become a scientist, first studying tiny insects, then taking a rare opportunity to study elephants in Namibia. She witnessed elephants performing strangely: as one group approached a watering hole, the elephants stopped, planted their feet down firmly, and leaned forward. Caitlin thought they looked just like insects listening for vibrations with their feet. Exciting by this hypothesis, Caitlin started ye...more
The book follows the elephant scientist Caitlin O’Connell through her studies in Namibia, Africa where she observes and studies the largest land mammal, the elephant. O’Connell and her (future) husband decided to take a year-long trip to Africa in 1992, during this trip the two were offered a three-year job by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism. O’Connell would study the elephant’s movement, behavior, habitat, and interaction with people in and near the Etosha National Park. Elepha...more
This was a fascinating book with wonderful photos. It is another entry in the scientists in the field series which has quite a few excellent titles now. The author explained how her studies of INSECTS of all things, helped her to realize that elephants were receiving sound through their feet that is too low for humans to hear. She also shows what a season of study and work looks like, what they do and what is involved in the study. This whole study started because they are looking for a way to k...more
This book is part of the Scientists in the Field series, and while I haven’t read any of the others, I can attest to the quality of information and readability of this one. It is a series, which follows actual scientists in their experiments in lab and field. One gets a real sense of the years and patience that can be involved in the testing of just one hypothesis. The Elephant Scientist will enthrall Middle Graders who have a passion for biology and practical science, or those who are simply wo...more
The Scientists in the Field series is one of my favorites for middle graders. These books feature large photographs of animals, but what is most impressive about the series is that the books show scientists at work, trying to make a difference. This title, which focuses on elephants, is another excellent addition to the series. While it doesn't purport to tell readers everything they ever wanted to know about elephants, it takes readers into Namibia where scientist Caitlin O'Connell--known as "t...more
Originally found at www.apatchworkofbooks.com
This one is part of the AMAZING "Scientists in the Field" series that I've featured a ton of times on the blog. Following American scientist Caitlin O'Connell as she studies African elephants, we learn about how O'Connell started in the field and all sorts of cool facts about elephants and their families. It's so incredibly fascinating to me how these huge animals care for one another and work together to help their young prosper and survive, as well...more
This one is part of the AMAZING "Scientists in the Field" series that I've featured a ton of times on the blog. Following American scientist Caitlin O'Connell as she studies African elephants, we learn about how O'Connell started in the field and all sorts of cool facts about elephants and their families. It's so incredibly fascinating to me how these huge animals care for one another and work together to help their young prosper and survive, as well...more
This book was for the Horn Book assignment (3 sh). This book was also a Sibert Honor book.
Scientist Caitlin O’Connell is asked to study elephant behavior to see if there was a way for people and elephants to live peacefully together. What O’Connell discovers was the last thing she expected and changed what the world thought of elephants.
The Elephant Scientist is part of a series of books, Scientist in The Field. This book is perfect for kids starting at about 5th grade (which I have) and up. A...more
Scientist Caitlin O’Connell is asked to study elephant behavior to see if there was a way for people and elephants to live peacefully together. What O’Connell discovers was the last thing she expected and changed what the world thought of elephants.
The Elephant Scientist is part of a series of books, Scientist in The Field. This book is perfect for kids starting at about 5th grade (which I have) and up. A...more
The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson photographs by Caitlin O’Connell & Timothy Rodwell (Houghton Mifflin Books 2011). 71p. Informational.
Summary: This book tells the story of a scientist who went to Africa to research and observe elephants in their natural habitats. With the clear and descriptive photographs and the details of what she discovered the reader can get a good idea of information on elephants.
Critique:
a. The photographs were very detailed and preci...more
Summary: This book tells the story of a scientist who went to Africa to research and observe elephants in their natural habitats. With the clear and descriptive photographs and the details of what she discovered the reader can get a good idea of information on elephants.
Critique:
a. The photographs were very detailed and preci...more
I have to start off by saying that I am admittedly not a fan of science or nonfiction books at all to be honest; so I was dreading reading this chapter book which incorporated the two. However, once I started reading I found that some science can be interesting. The use of the photographs of the actual time that Caitlin O'Connell spent studying the elephants made the information easier to swallow and I found myself enjoying the book. The captions of the pictures is what captured my attention and...more
The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell & Donna M. Jackson
1. Genre: Informational
2. Summary: Scientist Caitlin O’Connell recorded different elephant communication calls, working to record an elephant alarm call that would keep elephants out of farmers’ fields. She observed that elephants might also communicate through ground vibrations, so a camp was set up in Mushara, Africa to test her theory.
3. Critique:
a. Area for comment: The illustrations and design is visually appealing and sup...more
1. Genre: Informational
2. Summary: Scientist Caitlin O’Connell recorded different elephant communication calls, working to record an elephant alarm call that would keep elephants out of farmers’ fields. She observed that elephants might also communicate through ground vibrations, so a camp was set up in Mushara, Africa to test her theory.
3. Critique:
a. Area for comment: The illustrations and design is visually appealing and sup...more
Great photos. This book focuses more on the scientist, herself, and her journey and discoveries vis a vis her field work than an in-depth study of just the elephant.
It is extremely well-written and easy to follow. I found it particularly interesting (and will probably use it as example when teaching of how apparently dissimilar things can interrelate) that her early work with insects was the basis for one of her most significant discoveries about elephant behavior!
This is a fantastic resource f...more
A beautiful exploration of one of nature's most exemplary mammals. Navigating your way through African desert, incredible discoveries and research by Caitlin O' Connell embed themselves into your hungry brain and leave you entranced with each page. The illustrations of photography are stunning, with glorious still shots of the massive mammals we don't see everyday. Containing real images, fascinating details of specific elephants and their stories, amazing discoveries, web links and even a gloss...more
The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O’Connell and Donna M. Jackson
1. Genre: Informational
2. The Elephant Scientist is an excellent resource for children hoping to find out just about everything about elephants. This book is not like typical reference books, in that it primarily documents how a scientist studying elephants conducts her work.
3. a. Area for comment: Presentation of information
b. I read this book with my 7 year old daughter. She loved the abundance of information in the text, as wel...more
1. Genre: Informational
2. The Elephant Scientist is an excellent resource for children hoping to find out just about everything about elephants. This book is not like typical reference books, in that it primarily documents how a scientist studying elephants conducts her work.
3. a. Area for comment: Presentation of information
b. I read this book with my 7 year old daughter. She loved the abundance of information in the text, as wel...more
Audience: students and teachers in grades 5-9, those interested in elephants, animals, endangered animals, science
Appeal: This book contains beautiful full color photographs taken by the scientists and the photographs have great captions. Readers can learn a lot just through these photographs, although the text supplies many more details. Those interested in becoming a scientist can see how one of the author's, Caitlin O'Connell, interest grew and how she became a scientist. Readers see the rese...more
Appeal: This book contains beautiful full color photographs taken by the scientists and the photographs have great captions. Readers can learn a lot just through these photographs, although the text supplies many more details. Those interested in becoming a scientist can see how one of the author's, Caitlin O'Connell, interest grew and how she became a scientist. Readers see the rese...more
This book won the 2012 Robert F.Sibert Honor Book. tells about O'Connell leaving home and going to Etosha National Park to study the elephants of Africa. It tells of the elephants behavior. how they travel and how they communicate. I feel like children and adults would enjoy this book. The writing of the book makes it easier for younger readers to understand what O'connell has studies as well as the captivating pictures. This book would be great to bring abou tthe classroom when studying wildlif...more
I picked this up from the "Browsing" shelves at the public library. The beautiful cover picture drew my eye. It was timely because I was setting up for a Non-fiction/Informational Reading Presentation. This is one of a series of Scientists in the Field. The photography is riveting and the details of how these scientists live their lives and study communication methods of African elephants is fascinating. I think this will be great for Informational text reading for grades 5-7. Just as an aside I...more
10.28.12
Wow! Love the "Scientists in the Field" series, and this is another great one. Taking my time to really digest all the interesting facts about elephants and their communication system. The information is fascinating and I would expect that many would be inspired to become scientists and researchers as well. I think I'm about half way through.
11.5.12
Finished! So interesting. I will probably be impressing friends all day with my new found elephant facts!! This series is fantastic. I will...more
Wow! Love the "Scientists in the Field" series, and this is another great one. Taking my time to really digest all the interesting facts about elephants and their communication system. The information is fascinating and I would expect that many would be inspired to become scientists and researchers as well. I think I'm about half way through.
11.5.12
Finished! So interesting. I will probably be impressing friends all day with my new found elephant facts!! This series is fantastic. I will...more
The Elephant Scientist is a book that brings meaning to its title. Although I don’t have a very strong interest in this particular animal, there were some interesting facts that I learned. This book shined a light on the elephant species and is good for those that are interested in a field in biology. I personally wouldn’t suggest this book for children in elementary school just because young children need something that would grasp and keep their attention for a while. However, this book is gre...more
Oct 11, 2012
Amanda
added it
The Elephant Scientist is a great book that gives you lots of information on elephants and their habitat. The authors do an amazing job at providing readers with information about elephants in Namibia, Africa. Readers can gain new information about elephants while being captivated by the amazing photos that make you seem as if you were near these amazing mammals. I personally enjoyed this book tremendously because I have always been intrigued by elephants and consider them to be my favorite anim...more
I have finished the book "The Elephant Scientist" by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna Jackson. This book talks about what an average life for an elephant is like. The author talks about how elephants are very smart. Elephants bathe themselves when they get warm, they also are able to figure out who the leader of the pack is. There leader of the pack is always in the front of the group when they walk to each place. I believe that elephants are very exceptional animals, and I would recommend it to anyo...more
This series is turning upside down what students (as readers) may think scientists do for a living. Scientists are not locked in a lab somewhere with a white coat. Dr. O'Connell is actually in a temporary camp in the Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa with a team of researchers who are observing and investigating the behavior patterns of elephant - including collecting and analyzing elephant dung. The major focus of their work is confirming O'Connell's theory that elephants communicate by s...more
To continue my fascination with elephants this summer, I picked up this non-fiction book. It is part of a series called “Scientists in the Field” and this particular title won a Sibert Honor in 2012.
This book documents an important discovery in the way elephants communicate to one another. Caitlin O’Connell, the scientist, noticed that at a watering hole there was a very particular behavior pattern. All the elephants froze in unison, as if they were listening to something. This may seem inconse...more
This book documents an important discovery in the way elephants communicate to one another. Caitlin O’Connell, the scientist, noticed that at a watering hole there was a very particular behavior pattern. All the elephants froze in unison, as if they were listening to something. This may seem inconse...more
May 15, 2012
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
read-childrens-books,
read-goodreads-authors
The elephant scientist of the title is Caitlin O'Connell, who studies elephants in Namibia, Africa. I found her observations of elephant behavior fascinating. She discovered that they can communicate through "hearing" vibrations with their feet, which have special cells for the purpose! She also experimented with types of dangers calls, in hopes of finding one that could be used to warn elephants away from farms, where they can damage crops. So all this research has a practical purpose! Elephant...more
I was lucky enough to win this lovely book in a Good Reads competition. The pictures were absolutely beautiful and illustrated the authors words perfectly. The thing I really like about this book is that it would enrich the learning experience of students learning about elephants, as it gives a real-life glimpse into that particular field of science. It is written in such a way that the book would compliment other facts and figures style reading material i.e. it is more of a narrative.
Thank you...more
Thank you...more
May 01, 2013
Brianna Smith
added it
This book is so fascinating! I already love elephants, but hearing and seeing Caitlin's travels and explorations on elephants in Africa are amazing. I love that the books maps out where exactly she was at, and how real the pictures are. For any child who is interested in becoming a scientist, this book will prove and show that not all scientists work in a lab, and that you're able to travel! The book shows amazing insight and interesting facts, including a set of terms at the end.
This series makes science so COOL! In my next life I want to be a scientist. The author talks about how her life led her to studying elephants and her efforts to help the people of Africa live in harmony with them. Her experiments show that elephants feel vibrations at great distances with their trunks and feet and alarms may be sent through the ground to keep the animals out of farmers' fields. Amazing. Elephants are really just amazing.
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Jun 27, 2012 05:20pm