Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

by Carol Buckley

Other authorsCarol Buckley (Photographer)

Hardcover, 2009

Status

Coming Soon

Call number

599.67

Collection

Children's Books

Genres

Nonfiction

Publication

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (2009), Edition: First edition, first printing (full number line), 32 pages

Description

A stray Labrador named Bella befriends Tarra, a former circus elephant and resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. While the pairing is unusual, the two are inseparable--even when a crisis threatens to separate them. Based on the national media sensation, this is a true story of friendship and loyalty.

User reviews

LibraryThing member debnance

Tarra was a roller-skating elephant in the circus, in a movie, and on television. Finally, she was retired and taken to live in a sanctuary for elephants in Tennessee. Usually, an elephant will befriend another elephant, but Tarra did not make a friend there for a long time. One day, however, she

met Bella and, unexpectedly, the two became best friends.The text is simple and easy to understand. The book is illustrated with photographs of Tarra and Bella. A little:“Bella was rushed to the animal hospital, where the vets said she had a spinal cord injury. No one knew if Bella would ever walk again, but they took Bella home and made her comfortable in the heated office above the elephant barn while they tried to nurse her back to help. Through a large window Bella watched longingly as the elephants played outside. Meanwhile, for two full days, Tarra remained standing at the exact spot where Bella had been found, waiting for Bella to return.”Children’s comments:One child said, "I like how a little bitty animal and a big animal are friends." Another child said she liked how loving the pictures are. Both boys and girls liked this book. Most gave it a five, but a few thought it was a three.

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LibraryThing member ckarmstr1

This tells the true story of a dog and elephant who became friends. The dog and elephant take care of one another. I think this book shows people that even if you are from different worlds, you can still care for and take care of another. This story is beautiful!

LibraryThing member SydneyParton

I love this book as I feel there is a great message portrayed through a cute story. I feel as though this book would be a great illustration for children about embracing diversity. Within the story of Tarra and Bella we find two animals from two different walks of life brought together as children

are in a classroom. But in this story we see that what's on the inside is important. No matter how different someone looks, we can all view each other as special loved by God. I also love that in this book, the story is brought to life with pictures of the real-life characters.

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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

If it has occurred to you, fellow reader, that there seems to have been an explosion of picture-books detailing inspirational true stories of unlikely cross-species animal friendship recently, then you are not alone. I think by now the picture-book reader is probably pretty familiar with the tale

of Owen & Mzee, the baby hippo and ancient tortoise brought together in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. He or she may also have come across the story of the Two Bobbies, a dog and cat who survived together in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Then there's the recent Tiger Pups, in which three white Bengal tiger cubs are nursed by a golden retriever.

So it is that my first thought, upon catching sight of Carol Buckley's Tarra & Bella, which details the story of a friendship between Tarra the elephant and a stray dog name Bella, was: "Oh no! Not ANOTHER one!" Of course I picked it up anyway (it's about ELEPHANTS, after all!), and was soon won over by the photographs of a euphoric Bella, bounding along beside her massive friend, and the details of Tarra's faithful care for her canine companion. Yes, I teared up a bit, when Buckley related how Tarra stood still for hours, refusing to move until help arrived for the injured Bella. Elephants are so darn smart! So loving, and so faithful!

What can I say? I've always loved elephants, and this tale of an old performer finally finding the home and friend she deserves, at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, won my heart.

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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool

Best friends come in all shapes and sizes! After retiring from the circus, Tarra became the first resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. When other elephants moved in and developed close friendships, only Tarra remained independent? until the day she met a stray mixed-breed dog named

Bella.

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