"Amid all the statistics and gloomy predictions about the future of the world’s biodiversity, which are unfortunately not exaggerated, and the estimates of the economic worth of preserving it, all of which are important and necessary, we equally need, urgently, to rediscover the fundamental meaning of the natural world to ourselves as individual human beings, for we evolved as part of it and without it we will perish.

In The Story of the Ethical Elephants, we meet the last eight remaining elephants on Earth, inhabiting the land of Afindica. The elephants, in Hindu tradition the removers of obstacles, gently lead us into the marvel that is the interconnectedness of life, and urge us to find again our sense of stewardship for it. Each of the eight elephants has a story to tell, and in so doing they inspire our natural sensitivity to creation, to ourselves and to each other.  Catherine Warrington’s text is poetic and prosaic, magical and uplifting. It is matched by enchanting illustrations in vibrant, flowing colour by Hogarth Brown. There is also humour in the personality of our parrot guide, the creation of co-writer David Parkinson. As if this were not enough, the book is also highly informative – in passing, we learn many amazing facts about the world.

The reader leaves the text with a sense of having been on a journey. It leaves him or her inspired, and with a sense of personal responsibility and empowerment, fuelled by a sense of optimism that is vital among the dire prognosis for our planet. For citizens to regain the full sense of their unity with the natural world is the surest route to influencing those with the power to determine the future of our planet.

The Story of the Ethical Elephants is a book to cherish, for the children for whom it is mainly written, and also for adults who cannot fail to be moved and inspired by it."

Adrian Lister / www.nhm.ac.uk
A Research Leader in the Department of Palaeontology at The Natural History Museum

 

"Education for life in a rapidly changing world needs to include a strong focus on the child’s awareness of his/her own strengths and preferences, and on how these can best combine with the different strengths and preferences of others to achieve mutually satisfying outcomes.  The Story of the Ethical Elephants uses the metaphor of elephants to represent a range of human approaches to life and offers a framework for exploring the child’s values and beliefs.  It engages the child’s interest through a richly illustrated journey of self discovery.  Research has shown that when parents and schools jointly engage with a common focus, the child’s learning is significantly enhanced.  This integrated learning system, from Conch Press, is facilitated by support materials which teachers can use flexibly within and beyond the classroom and by guidance for parents working with their children at home."

Joanna Le Metais PhD DEd (hon) MA BEd FCIL / www.lemetais.co.uk
International Consultant, Presenter and Author on Education Curriculum Development.

 

"This book is like a bag of jellybeans – it’s magical. With Hogarth Brown’s delightful illustrations, this whimsical story by Catherine Warrington and David Parkinson is informative and entertaining. It’s a book for children to bring them into conscious awareness of the people and animals in this world. Entrall them by reading it aloud or let your children discover its secrets for themselves … Can you uncover how to help your favourite Ethical Elephant hold their dreams……and what is happening when the sky turns grey? … and when you know the answers share them with a friend!"

Hazel Croucher / Former School Librarian                                                                                                                                                           

"The book was good because it showed how we can learn from the elephants. The pictures really told the story as they were amazing, colourful and fantastic. I learnt that the elephants were about dreams, treasure, wisdom and breath. I also realised that all of these qualities are within humans and I thought it is important to work as a team, as each and every one of the elephants have different qualities. I think that I am most like the Ethical Elephant Boronia."

Zak Ikram / Aged 11

 

"The Story of the Ethical Elephants is a delightful book, it is a lovely story and is beautifully illustrated. The reader goes on a journey and meets different elephants, all with something very important to say. I think this is a great book for parents to read together with their child, also it is something that you could pick up again and again and again!  It is full with lots of interesting facts and heartfelt wisdom. This book gives the reader lots to think about and can be used a stimulus for further activities, in the home or at school.

My favourite aspect of the book is; at the end of each section, it asks the reader for assistance, it engages the reader and invites active participation in the Elephants’ quest. The pictures are bright and colourful, and they really help to capture the reader’s imagination.

Tanya Moore                                                                                                                                                                        

Inner Spark School / www.innersparkschool.com

 

"The schools pack, "Lessons from the Ethical Elephants", lends itself well to a cross-curricular approach to teaching.  It has a literacy focus throughout, many of the suggested activities leading back to a creative writing element.  It is also packed full of elephant facts and information, some of which lead directly into specific curriculum areas, such as the water cycle or sound in science, or study of place in geography.  At its core is the development of the individual.

 
It uses PSHE as a starting point for many of the activities, encouraging children at all times to question and reflect, and to aspire to certain qualities through its system of self recognition and rewarding success.  Whether used as a whole unit of work or as an activity pool to dip in and out of, it will not fail to give children an understanding and appreciation of the world around them and of their place within it.  It promotes real education in a meaningful way, whilst recognising the demands of the national curriculum.  Many of the ideas are starting points for whole units of work, leaving the teacher the freedom and flexibility to adapt it to their own requirements.  It would also lend itself very well to a ‘focus week’ style of study."

Justine Skinner

KS2 Teacher and Arts Specialist

 

"Afindica is Amazing!!!

I love how each elephant is so passionate about what they did and Mtaona is so funny.  He guides us to each of the 8 elephants and gives us interesting facts.  As soon as I started reading I couldn’t stop!  It drew me in like a magnet.  I was at the edge of my seat for most of it.  I loved thinking about what elephant would be next and what its subject would be about.  I thought a lot about this book and got some amazing learnings from it.

I think I am most like Illawara, the Empress of the Stars.  She talked about shining brightly and standing out.  When I read the books she was the one that had the most effect on me.

I would recommend Afindica: The story of the Ethical Elephants to anybody who wants to be the best they can be.  I would rate it 1o out of 10!"

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Meg Cummings, Aged 11 / www.daringtoshine.com


“The Story of the Ethical Elephants is a fantastic book to raise awareness among young kids about different personality types in a fun, encapsulating way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it to my kids and loved seeing them learn with such ease and joy.  The book is a treasured keepsake, as each day my kids learnt about a new elephant and it’s teachings.  With it’s beautiful illustrations, the story is timeless and can be read over and over again.  I enjoyed reading it as much as my children did!”

Sidra Zaidi /  www.myjourneytohappiness.com