The Elephants Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship

An extraordinary true story about the friendship between seven elephants and two people. Thula Thula is a farmhouse in Africa with 11,000 acres of savannah and forest. It is a wildlife sanctuary surrounded by miles of fences that protect rhinoceroses, zebras, and many other animals from hunters. Lawrence and Françoise along with their dog Max live at the farmhouse and are one day asked to adopt a herd of angry elephants who have been bullied and hunted. The elephants come to Thula Thula and they “pound their hooves and trumpet angrily.” They topple trees and smash through the fence, breaking free from the safety of the sanctuary. The herd eventually returns to Thula Thula with much coaxing from Lawrence. But will they decide to stay? Tomsic’s picture book makes an undeniable case for conservation and highlights the eco-warriors at the front of the fight. Hooper’s dark and earthy watercolor illustrations bring to life the beauty of Africa and the majestic elephant herd. An Author’s Note and photographs included in the back of the book fill out the real-life story further. An unforgettable and poignant tale about the miraculous love that can develop between elephants and man.