Follows a young elephant as he struggles to survive during his first year of life with the help of his family in Amboseli, a protected wildlife park in Kenya PreSchool-Grade 4. This photo-essay follows a young elephant's struggle to survive his first year on the African plains. Born with defective front legs, Ely has many obstacles to overcome. Without anthropomorphizing, Moss recounts his first hours of life as he struggles to his knees to nurse and his efforts to keep up with the herd. Lighter moments are also described, as he learns to control his trunk to eat and drink. Additional information about elephant behavior in Amboseli Park appears throughout the narrative, emphasizing the role of the female leader of the herd as she seeks sources of food and water, and showing how the group gently supports and cares for weaker members. Full-color close-ups of Ely and broad landscape scenes enhance the book. An epilogue tells of Ely's life during the past five years as he developed additional skills essential for adult survival. This herd has also been documented in two PBS television productions. Little Big Ears will appeal to fans of true animal stories and encourage young readers to locate other books to further their knowledge of elephant behavior.?Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. Ages 5^-8. The founder of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya shares the heartwarming story of Ely, an elephant calf born with a physical disability that prevented it from standing. Colbeck's superb photographs document the little elephant's struggles and triumphs: the repeated falls; the desperate attempt to reach its mother's milk; and finally, learning to walk, find food, and survive drought. The confidence that comes with extensive knowledge is evident in Moss' writing, but she is also a natural storyteller: children will find her references to the elephants' thoughts completely believable. Because her story also reveals much about elephant behavior in general, it would make a wonderful complement to a science unit. Lauren Peterson Subtitled ``The Story of Ely,'' this book takes a look at the first year of life for a physically challenged African elephant--also the subject of PBS documentaries--born in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Moss documents Ely's first year of life: When he is born, he cannot stand up because the first joints of his front legs were bent back and ``completely stiff.'' He cannot stand, nurse, or follow the herd. Only by hobbling on his knees does Ely survive the first day. For the next several days he stretches his partially unbent front legs until finally he is able to stand on the soles of his feet, and eventually learns to walk, too. But his trials are far from over; Ely has trouble feeding himself because his trunk is limp--at one point he accidentally steps on it. Once that's mastered, there is a drought, and the calves in the elephant family learn to eat the dung of the adults. Only when the rains come, at the end of Ely's first year, does his survival seem assured. The wordy text will not distract readers from the drama of Ely's story, nor will the occasionally cluttered layout: With no clear sense of design, close-ups are mingled with distance shots, and full-bleed spreads with framed insets. As is true of Ely, readers will have to work for their reward: a triumphant story of an elephant's survival against the odds. (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Used Book in Good Condition