Faithful Elephants

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Faithful Elephants, a story written by Yukio Tsuchiya and originally published in Japan in 1951,[1] is based on a true story of the elephants in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo during World War II.[2] The Japanese Army had requested that every zoo in Japan poison their large or dangerous animals because they were worried that these animals would escape and harm the general public if a bomb detonated near the zoo.[3] [4] The poison that worked on the other animals did not work on the three remaining Indian elephants they were starved to death.[1] These elephants are now commemorated at the zoo and are buried under a special monument with many of the other animals. Tsuchiya wrote the book in order to let children know the grief, fear and sadness caused by war.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Children's Books: Bookshelf. The New York Times (1989-03-12). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  2. ^ Tsuchiya, Yukio; Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes (trans), Ted Lewin (Illus) (1988). Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War. HMCo Children's Books, 32. 0395861373. 
  3. ^ Seana Cameron (1996). Faithful Elephants. The Wild Times Teacher Connection. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  4. ^ The Charming Elephant. Time (1949-07-04). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  5. ^ Jacqueline Blais (2003-04-07). Gentle Titles Teach Kids to Give Peace a Chance. USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
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