Library Loot ~ April 30 to May 6

The Elephant Scientist ~ by Caitlin O'Connell, 2011, juvenile (Namibia)

In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park in Namibia, they call her "the mother of all elephants."  Holding binoculars closely to her eyes, American scientist Caitlin O'Connell could not believe what she was seeing from these African elephants.  As the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopped midstride, and stood as still as statues. This observation would guide the scientist to a groundbreaking discovery about elephant communication, that elephants actually listen with their limbs.  The Elephant Scientist was named a 2012 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book.

Elena's Serenade ~ by Campbell Geeslin, illustrated by Ana Juan, 2004, juvenile/women's studies (Mexico), 9/10

Who ever heard of a girl glassblower?  In Mexico, where the sun is called el sol and the moon is called la luna, a little girl called Elena wants to blow into a long pipe ... and make bottles appear, like magic.  But girls can't be glassblowers.  Or can they?  Join Elena on her fantastic journey to Monterrey — home of the great glassblowers! — in an enchanting story filled with magical realism.  As she journeys, she gains confidence along the way.

The Listening Walk ~ by Paul Showers, 1961, junvenile

Put on your socks and shoes — and don't forget your ears!  We're going on a listening walk.  Shhhhh.  Do not talk.  Do not hurry.  Get ready to fill your ears with a world of wonderful and surprising sounds.

 This illustration gives you an idea of the kinds of things the child heard.

One mother found a copy of this book at a thrift store and wrote about taking her toddler on a listening walk.

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire @ The Captive Reader and Linda @ Silly Little Mischief that encourages us to name the books we checked out of the library.  Click here to see what others got this week.