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

by Toni Buzzeo, Holly Berry (Illustrator)

A science and nature biography of Cynthia Moss, the elephant expert, by the author of Caldecott Honor book One Cool Friend

Cynthia Moss was never afraid of BIG things. As a kid, she loved to ride through the countryside on her tall horse. She loved to visit faraway places. And she especially loved to learn about nature and the world around her. So when Cynthia traveled to Africa and met the world’s most ENORMOUS land animal, the African elephant, at Amboseli National Park in Kenya, she knew she had found her life’s work.

Cynthia has spent years learning everything she can about elephants and sharing these fascinating creatures with the world. She is a scientist, nature photographer, and animal-rights activist, fighting against the ivory poachers who kill so many elephants for their tusks.

This lyrical and accessible picture book gives kids a glimpse of what scientists do in the real world and inspires them to dream of accomplishing BIG things.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Africa, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2015

Reviews

[Heidi]

Buzzeo has done it again. She's created a fascinating and inspiring account of a woman who once intrigued by elephants remained in Africa for decades studying them. The text works just right as a story of a girl becoming a woman, a rather fearless one, not afraid to take on something big. From a large horse to the ivory trade, Moss has truly left her mark on the world. The illustrations are gorgeous and I loved them. This is the sort of picture book that I not only love to share but I enjoy just sitting down and looking at for pleasure. The combination of paper collage with colored pencils, paints, watercolors, and ink makes for an interesting mix with both textured and soft lines. A beautifully presented and well-told story bound to inspire listeners to take on big themselves.

[Marcia]

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 young readers to be open to the possibilities in life and to embrace their interests no matter how BIG.
Part biography, part animal non-fiction, 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 seven 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 Cynthia 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 your aspiring scientists and other young elephant loving readers, too. The illustrations by award winning illustrator Holly Berry, support the narrative with warmth and detail and sympathy. I highly recommend this book to all my young reader friends (and their parent/teachers).

[Pamela Powell]

Wonderful illustrations about the life of elephant researcher Cynthia Moss.

[Prabhat sharma]

A Passion for Elephants: The Real Live Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Ross (Hard cover) by Toni Buzzeo, Illustrator Holly Berri-Children’s Illustrated Colour picture Book- Cynthia Moss was born in 19490. As a kid, she loved to ride through the countryside on her tall horse. She loved to visit faraway places. And she especially loved to learn about nature and the world around her. In 1962 she graduated from Smith’s College, South Seminary, Virginia in Philosophy. In 1964, she joined magazine Newsweek as a researcher and reporter. Her college friend Penny Nellore wrote to her about Africa. These letters kept her excited about a visit to Africa. After death of her parents, she left for Africa. Here she met the world’s large land animal, the African elephant, at Amboseli National Park in Kenya. She met famous Zoologist Ian Duglas Hamilton at Lake Manara National Park, Lake Manara, North Tanzania. Hamilton was working on social life of elephants. She was offered the job of photographing 400 elephants so that they could be identified. After completing this project, Cynthia started her own Ambseli Elephant Research Project in Ambseli National Park, Kenya. In 1967, Harvey Cross joined her in research project. Cynthia has spent years learning everything she can about elephants and sharing these fascinating creatures with the world. She is a scientist, nature photographer, and animal-rights activist. Since 1989, she fighting against the ivory poachers who kill so many elephants for their tusks. Since 1993, she is making people aware of safety of elephants through her website www.saveelephants.org. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story.

[Suzanne]

Actually, I've had this book for a couple of months*, but I didn't want my review to be lost too far in advance of publication, so I've held off on posting it. Toni Buzzeo has taken the story of field scientist Cynthia Moss and turned it into a wonderful narrative nonfiction that even the youngest readers can enjoy. The repeated emphasis on words like big, tall, high, far, enormous, and overwhelming, lets us see not only the size of the creatures Moss studies, but the scope of her project. The clever emphasis on these words in the text with a larger size font and dark red color will catch the eyes of young readers and have them eagerly looking for the next occurrence. (The repetition and variety of terms also lends itself to a wonderful lesson on synonyms.) The entire story is rich in vocabulary and perfect for using as a mentor text when teaching writing.

There has been an increasing demand for narrative nonfiction to use in English/language arts lessons and stories such as this with animals that children are naturally curious about and scientists who are out in the world interacting with those creatures are always popular with teachers and students alike. Following Cynthia Moss from her childhood through to the current day gives students a chance to identify with her and to think of what they may someday become as they grow up.

I love Toni's books and I can't wait to share this latest title with my students and fellow teachers. (*Toni had some extra f&g copies and offered them to librarians and reviewers to read and share.)

[Carol V]

A Passion for Elephants is a delightful, explorative read. This book will spark an interest in elephants and world conservation. The author includes supplemental information on Cynthia Moss in the back of the book and sources for a world of continued learning! Watch for the book -- September 29, 2015.

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 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 about elephants and save them from extinction.

[Lilly]

Picture Book. A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss is a book focused on a little girl who never gave up on BIG ideas even in her adult years. She starts with a love for horses at such a young age, something that would be daunting to anyone else her size. Proving her passion to never give up. The story continues by Cynthia getting invited to travel to Africa and work with something much bigger than she’s used to; elephants. Cynthia spends her time learning and falling in love the enormous land animal and advocating for their rights. This picture book uses many great illustrations to introduce kids to the different places across the globe that Cynthia travels. The story line gives older readers in this age group the chance to learn about the history of elephants, the geography of new places in the world, and the idea of a scientist who never gave up encouraging them to follow their dreams. I chose this book because of my own personal love for elephants but also the many things it teaches the young readers. There’s more text but not too much that the readers aren’t engaged and many funny aspects to keep this age group focused.

[Lisa]

Cynthia Moss followed her passion and made a life in Africa. She studied elephants and learned everything she could;then, she began her work to save them. This work of narrative non-fiction is compelling as the author tells Moss's story. This book has passion and conviction but it is told in a way that young readers will understand. The illustrations are collage work. They are beautiful and evoke thoughts and feelings of the wildness of Africa. I read this for the story but as a teacher librarian I cannot wait to buy the book for my library and I plan to teach with this book. Vocabulary is excellent, the idea of following a passion when that wasn't your original education plan, and of course the social issues that abound in the book. I loved the end matter as well with much detail for readers and additional information to promote further learning. Toni Buzzeo has done a great job again with this newest publication! I can't wait to enjoy a copy with our students!

[Emily Shaw]

The book is about Cynthia Moss and she isn't afraid of big things. At the beginning, the book talks about Cynthia's life growing up and her love for horses and horseback riding. After she graduated college, she receives letters from her friend Penny who is in Africa. Thus, Cynthia went to Africa, and met with a zoologist that had her photograph elephants. Cynthia ended up falling in love with the elephants. She began to learn a lot of elephant family behavior, and she worried about them. She began to also speak about ivory and to save the elephants. There ended up being a global ban on the sale of ivory. Cynthia Moss dedicated her life to studying elephants and protecting them. This book is a great resource for children to learn about the importance of life, and following your dreams. Even if it means travel across the world.

[Lynn Plourde]

3 1/2 stars for me--4 for the text and 3 for the illustrations. This picture book biography of Cynthia Moss who started the Amboseli Elephant Research Project makes her story easily accessible to young readers. Buzzeo starts the story when Moss is a child who rides a tall horse to show even as a little girl, Moss was "not afraid of BIG things." Buzzeo's vocabulary is rich. A longer bio is included in the back matter. The illustrations had a nice collage feel, but felt oddly out of proportion in places which was distracting.

[Nicolina Circella]

This book has wonderful illustrations that make it a good choice to read aloud with children. The work of Cynthia Moss is very well exemplified and we are able to learn through her experiences. This book has many aspects that allow for a good story as well as withholding the educational side of things. This would be a great novel to incorporate into a classroom with younger students. This book will connect to many lessons in a variety of ways. Overall, the beautiful and vibrant illustrations only aid in the grand scheme of the novel.

[Lynn]

Text has enough details and information to make the life of Moss interesting, but is tight and easy to read - a tough combination to pull off! Buzzeo includes comparisons that youngsters will understand. I'd never heard of Moss before, but this is a book I will share with my second graders when they study Africa, and with fourth graders when they study biographies.
Colorful illustrations and text segments are often framed in uneven, African-style patterns.

[Laura Giessler]

Beautifully told story of how Cynthia Moss ended up living with, studying, and fighting to save the same group of elephants for 40 years. I like how the writing shows how Moss's life evolved, how her interests grew and changed, and how her decisions led her to where she is now. Biography; informational book on elephants; conservationist plea. Cool that you can simply Google Cynthia Moss to see real photos of her life and work.

[Terry]

This is a fascinating story and a great first biography for my older child. I did not love it as much as she did. Some of the illustrations depicting dead elephants and bloody tusks were too much for my little boy.

There's more to our review. Visit the Reading Tub. While you’re there, add a link to your review of the book.

[Mary]

This is an accessible picture book biography about field scientist, Cynthia Moss, who has photographed wild elephants in Africa. Buzzeo's narrative, along with Berry's art, captures Moss's passion and dedication to the protection of the elephants. Although the plight of the elephants is tragic, Buzzeo's tone is light, gently introducing the horror of ivory poaching. A useful introduction that will appeal to young animal lovers and young natural scientists.

[Peacegal]

This exciting and inspiring picture book will take young readers into the habitat of the majestic African elephants with their tireless advocate, scientist Cynthia Moss. This would be a great humane education title to share with kids as part of a science class or a unit on elephants or conservation.

[Ellen Taylor]

Fascinating biographical account of Cynthia Moss, an American who visited Africa and made her home there, studying the African Elephants and their family structure. She was instrumental in forming a foundation that works to stop the ivory trade (and senseless killings) and to protect the environment for the future elephants. Excellent illustration by Holly Berry.

[Nancy Snyder]

This engaging picture book shares the life's work of Cynthia Moss, a field scientist and animal-rights activist. She was able to live out her love of nature and animals by studying elephants through her travels in Africa. Children too can accomplish BIG dreams.

[Paula Hollohan]

Interesting biography of Cynthia Moss. Great in a school library to discuss how one person can work towards a change in the world. And working with something you are passionate about. A good purchase for the elementary library.

[Diana]

Interesting biography of someone who was willing to take risks and ended up making a difference as a result. Great message for kids! A tad wordy for my purposes, but that's okay. I'd still recommend it.

[Alyssa]

This insightful story tells about Cynthia Moss' life work with elephants. It tells of all the things she learned about them and also about her fight to save them as many people continue to kill them for their ivory.

[Angie]

great biography!

[Emily]

informative and unique picture book biography

[Nancy]

Cynthia Moss does for elephants what Jane Goodall does for chimps. A well told story of a single person with a passion who has made a big difference for good in our world.

[Jen Ferry]

Great addition to our 921 section. This will be a wonderful read-aloud, potentially tied with Me...Jane or other similar books.

[Laresa]

Very colorful pictures

[Donna]

Interesting & inspiring books about the story of a field scientist finding her passion studying elephants.

[Diana Pettis]

If you have a child that loves elephants and want to learn more. This is the book. Loved the story.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers]

Using this one for Animal Habitats with my 3rd graders.

[Jennifer]

Excellent biography about Cynthia Moss and her work to save African elephants.