Sharks and dolphins both have torpedo-shaped bodies with fins on their backs. They slice through the water to grab their prey with sharp teeth. But despite their similarities, sharks and dolphins belong to different animal classes: one is a fish and gets oxygen from the water and the other is a mammal and gets oxygen from the air. Marine educator Kevin Kurtz guides early readers to compare and contrast these ocean predators through stunning photographs and simple, nonfiction text. Once Upon an Elephant, by Linda Stanek is a wonderful picture book that instills the love and respect for each individual organism as part of an ecosystem. --NSTA Recommends I would highly recommend it to any family with kids, not only as a fun story with great illustrations, but also as a learning tool. I'm excited to have it on my shelf to share with generations to come. Great job Linda! --Suzi Rapp, Columbus Zoo Once Upon an Elephant is a beautifully designed and written story, suitable for children as young as four years old up to four or fifth graders. By using a child-oriented language the story tells the important role elephants play in their environment. --Patricia Sims, World Elephant Day co-founder Shennen Bersani is an award-winning illustrator with 2 million copies of her books cherished and read by children, parents, and teachers throughout the world. Her art delivers heartfelt emotion, the wonders of nature and science, and creates a unique joy for learning. Some of Shennen's other illustrated works include A Case of Sense, Animal Partners; Sea Slime: Ita (TM)s Eeuwy, Gooey and Under the Sea; Shark Baby; Home in the Cave; Astro: The Steller Sea Lion; The Glaciers are Melting!, and Once Upon an Elephant, for Arbordale. She is also the author and illustrator of Achoo! Why Pollen Counts. Shennen lives near Boston.