Wanted: two baby elephants, Isa and Lilly. Where: Hugo, Oklahoma. The year: 1975. The crime: being overly sneaky.
When the circus stopped in the small town of Hugo, Oklahoma, two exceedingly curious and playful elephants decided it would be fun to play a very long game of hide-and-seek. But these were not your average runaways! These slippery fugitives dodged the authorities for eighteen days, trampling through gardens and tearing up backyards.
There were clues all around, from broken fences to large footprints and missing vegetables galore, but no one could find Isa and Lilly! Though people reported sightings of the pair causing a ruckus, the police could not catch up to these tricksters. Based on an amazing true story, this colorful picture book relates the tale of these elephants, which captivated the attention of a country and is sure to capture the hearts of readers, no matter their age. These two really did prove that it is a circus out there!
About the Author
Una Belle Townsend is an award-winning teacher and author. She has been named Teacher of the Year at her school three times and was named Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. She is the recipient of the 2004 Oklahoma Book Award and was a 2004 IRA/CBC Children’s Choice selection. Her other titles include Grady’s in the Silo, The Oklahoma Land Run, and Racecar Driver’s Night Before Christmas, all available from Pelican.
About the Illustrator
Janice Hechter is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer. She is the recipient of a National Best Book Award and a San Francisco Book Festival Award.
THE GREAT ELEPHANT ESCAPE
By Una Belle Townsend
Illustrated by Janice Hechter
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Animals / Elephants
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Adventure & Adventurers
32 pp. 8 1/2 x 11
31 color illus.
ISBN: 9781455615827