The Truth About Elephants: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals

The Truth About Your Favorite Animals

by Maxwell Eaton III

Did you know that an elephant's tusks never stop growing?

Did you know that elephants can sometimes purr like giant cats?

And that they use six sets of teeth throughout their lives?

Impress your friends and teachers with these facts and more in The Truth About Elephants, a wildly entertaining (not to mention hilarious) nonfiction picture book offering everything you want to know about this majestic animal.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Nature, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

Maxwell Eaton III is the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of dozens of outdoor adventure-based picture books and comics for young readers. All of Maxwell’s books are informed by a life led outdoors in the mountains and on the water. He is passionate about sharing his love for the natural world with young people and empowers them to get outside; make and do with their own hands; to think and act with calm and collected minds; and to maintain perspective and humor. He skis, paddles, and writes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler's bedtime. Fun facts about elephants! Detailed review to come.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As he did with three previous picture books about animals in the wild, the author/illustrator provides interesting facts about elephants while also including some humor. The text and colorful pen-and-ink illustrations, heightened with digital coloring, are sure to entertain as well as inform. These massive land animals are related to some species that might surprise readers, and the author is careful to describe the many uses for their trunks. I did not realize that they vary their diet according to whether the weather is wet or dry. While I grew a bit tired of the jazz trio that kept popping up on the pages, those elements may amuse some readers. As for me, I was just fascinated by the cool facts about elephants and their toes that were presented here. This one would be a good choice for an elementary science classroom library, especially since young readers can fly through it and amaze others with some of the trivia about elephants that they have learned.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About Elephants by Maxwell Eaton III. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. $16. 9781626726697

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Each page of this book has no more than one sentence of main text. Supporting that main text are other literary and visual elements that support the information in the main text. One page may be all about size and another about diet.

This book is so great because it is an easy to read informational text. Early readers will be able to access the language and information in this book without much difficulty. The illustrations are fun and the pages feel energetic and full of information.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's World Wildlife Day March 3rd (2023). I am an assistant in an afterschool program. Our boss has asked each teacher and assistant to choose an animal. I chose Elephant. We are to choose a teaching tool and an activity with our group of kids. Mine is reading a non-fiction book and learning to draw/paint an elephant.

This was one of three library books I took out. I have to decide which one I will read to them. This is the first one out of the three I've read and this could be the one! This was an excellent book with lots of facts written fun with great pictures and humor geared for the adult or older child who reads it. I can see my kids laughing and enjoying this story.

I learned so much about them in this book!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youngsters may enjoy this more for the humor than for the facts and information about elephants, even though there is “tons of information” included. This author has done other “Seriously Funny Facts…” books about dolphins, bears, and hippos.
Although the image of elephants are vaguely realistic, they are shown talking with speech bubbles and have human facial expressions. A manatee, hyrax, dugong and other animals help provide humor. Earthy tones were created with pen and ink with digital coloring.
Informative text is easy to access as sentences are placed around the page and the reader can jump around or read from beginning to end. Font is easy to read.

[Haley Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually add to my read list/review picture books (although I should??) but this is a *superb* non-fiction picture book. "Tons of information!" says the speech bubble from the elephant on the cover. And there is TONS! The info isn't overwhelming, the pictures are colorful & engaging, and the asides from various animals within speech bubbles are reminiscent of a comic book, pulling in kids who may be totally reluctant to read non-fiction. Also did you know elephants are related to manatees? Dope. 10/10

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cartoon-ish illustrated nonfiction picture book about elephants, their physical attributes, different species, habitats, life spans, and common habits.

This was informative and rode that fine line between picture book and comic book (you could easily argue it is both). There are some little jokes along the way (some of which are definitely there for the adults reading to kids). If you have kids reluctant to pick up a nonfiction book, this series may be a good place to start. A good resource for kids learning about elephants or just for elephant lovers.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of fun facts and information galore, The Truth About Elephants is a great format for a young reader. Tidbits of information, large funny illustrations, and talking animals all combine to teach about this largest land mammal. I was OK with the speech bubbles and the elephants talking to us, but, I didn't like the jazz music playing "closest relatives" and found them confusing.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Facts and humor are combined in graphic novel/speech bubble style in this book about elephants. Lots of fun facts, but not sure the three jazz instrument playing animals needed to make so many appearances. I was most impressed by the elephant molar facts and the difference in toenails on front and back feet.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor disclaimer: grew up with the author's wife. Do not know the author at all, and didn't realize it was his book til we got home.

This was a good informative book about elephants! I even learned a thing or two. I also appreciated the even-handed handling of poaching in a way that kids can understand. I would recommend this series to anyone.

[Kiersten Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses the two main types of elephants, the Asian Elephant and the African Savanna Elephant, and their similarities and differences. The book describes what elephants eat, how they live, and their predators. This book would be useful for students who want to learn about the differences between types of elephants and how elephants live.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I officially love this series and all the books in it so far--I hope there will be more to follow next year. This book is fun and informative. I have read a fair number of books about elephants for kids, and I still learned several new and cool things from this humorous book.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of books! I learn something new and am entertained... all in one book. Perfect for parent and child(ren) to read together! Just the right amount of humor that adults and older children will appreciate and if necessary, explain to younger siblings.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations and the text! Plenty of solid, core information about elephants. (which is more than most people know) Certain to be a favorite with kids and may help them to fall in love with elephants and do something to save them.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, full of facts and funnies. I loved the jazz trio that kept popping up (because seriously, a hyrax??) to provide some impetus for the elephants to behave in certain ways so we could learn more about them.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great informational book for elementary school students PK-3rd grade. Some of the information included in the book the children may already know, but it also includes a lot of more advanced concepts that the children will enjoy. I even learned a few things I did not know and enjoyed the humor.

[Crissell · Rating 4 out of 5]

*story about elephants and how they are the largest animals on land.
* The book compares the size of elephants to the size of other animals
* It has the history of elephants and when they might have evolved.
*The book even shows the inside of an elephant's mouth.
*History of elephants
*Compare size of animals

[Sonia Bellhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m reading to learn more about elephants and this book is full of useful and surprising facts. That’s my top research tip when studying an unfamiliar topic-start with children’s books. There are all the basic facts in an easy-to-understand format.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Neat facts, and humor to boot!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastically fun way to learn about elephants.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the facts about elephants. Very appealing to young readers without being overwhelming.

[Yentl ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maxwell Eaton's books and illustrations! They are so cute and funny. This book was informative as well as entertaining. I love all of the Elephant facts I learned about :D

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of text throughout each page with the drawn elephants and animals talking and making jokes throughout.

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Except for millions of years of elephant evolution, this was pretty good.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about elephants and some funny facts about them. The book makes it intresting for the kids to read.

[Ivory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book all about Elephants. I loved the pictures on every page. I found that I spent 3 mins just looking over each page. A good classroom library book.
Copyright: 2018

[David Haggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most fascinating fact is about how much sleep an elephant requires.

[Kelly Veatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Ordering them all for my school library!

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great picture book non-fiction series, sort of like Science Comics for the younger crowd.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great facts about elephants in a very fun format.