Viku and the Ivory Thieves: A Story from the Forests of India - Softcover

Majumdar, Debu

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0983222738 ISBN 13: 9780983222736

Publisher: Bo-Tree House, 2013

Synopsis

Viku and the Ivory Thieves is the third installment in the Viku adventure series begun with Viku and the Elephant and continued in Viku to the Rescue. Viku lives at the edge of a forest in India. He becomes friends with an elephant by saving him from a snake. The elephant makes only two sounds, a happy trumpet and a sad cry, but the two friends understand each other very well. Stories of their adventures together unfold quickly. At the end of Viku and the Elephant, Viku and Haatee escaped ivory poachers, and left them on a tiny island surrounded by crocodiles. In this continuation of that story they realize the forest is not safe as long as poachers and ivory thieves are free. Viku and Haatee help the police round up and capture clever ivory thieves. These Viku stories of friendship and adventure tell us about life in another culture.

This book works well as a read-aloud story for young children, is suitable for early readers (2nd and 3rd grades), and is an excellent chapter book for 4th and 5th graders.

Praise from National Award Winning Teachers "Debu Majumdar captures the true spirit of children everywhere and their passion for justice as we follow Viku on his journey to protect his friend and their precious land. Young readers will be captivated by the mystery and suspense of this story – brought beautifully to life by Lynn Wolfe's rich illustrations of India's land and people. My students were swept up in Viku's quest for justice in the first two books and again will love reading and discussing the challenges of Viku's journey in Viku and the Ivory Thieves."
– Roni Gold, Milken Educator Award (2010), 5th grade teacher, Springfield, Massachusetts

"... feel like you are actually a part of their exciting journey into the deep, green forest with the beautiful, lush canopy. It is almost as if Viku and Haatee are faraway friends giving the reader a glimpse of the life they share.... I highly recommend Viku and the Ivory Thieves, as well as Viku and the Elephant and Viku to the Rescue as an excellent series to add to the classroom library. It is a wonderful cultural adventure that speaks to the heart of the reader. I loved these adventures, and I know children will too."
– Kathie Heusel, Milken Educator Award (2008), Great Falls, Montana

"This exciting adventure explores the importance of protecting essential habitats and also brings awareness to the terrible plight of the ivory trade. This time, Viku and Haatee’s courageous actions inspire others in the story to help them in their cause.... Through their journeys, the reader also gets a chance to explore the rich culture, traditions and landscape of India. My students and I have thoroughly enjoyed these stories every year and look forward to more in the future."
– Martin Martinez, Milken Educator Award (2010), Gresham, Oregon

"I could feel Viku working through his emotions at the beginning of the book - should he save the thieves or let them perish?... The character has stayed true through all 3 books - kind, warm, trusting, passionate about environmental issues, and a good friend and son."
– Jennifer Smith, Milken Educator Award (2006), Twentynine Palms, California

About this title

About the Author:

Born in India, Debu Majumdar received a doctorate degree in physics from SUNY at Stony Brook. His book From the Ganges to the Snake River was first published by Idaho State University and then by Caxton Press in 2000; it interweaves Indian culture with North-West American reality. His first children’s book Viku and the Elephant was published in 2011 and the second one Viku to the Rescue in 2012. He lives with his wife in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bo-Tree House
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0983222738
• ISBN 13: 9780983222736
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 52
• Illustrator: Wolfe Lynn