Adventures in Khao Yai: The Little Lost Elephant is the third and final in a series of conservation books for children of primary school ages in Thailand, both Thai and foreigners. Its messages, however, are universal and could apply to many countries around the world.
The book has the same major characters as the first and second in the series: the little boy Yeunyong and his younger sister Lamduan. It takes place in central Thailand, in the famous World Heritage Site, Khao Yai National Park.
Through a fanciful story which transports the reader to the wild forests of Thailand, and familiarises him/her with its beauty and wild animals, the book addresses such conservation issues as love of and respect for, and conserving, the country’s wildlife, with particular focus on Thailand’s remaining wild elephants. A secondary message is the devastating effects the setting of fires in forest areas has on the environment and animals.
A focus is the children’s contact with a baby elephant which becomes separated from its mother during a forest fire, and how the little boy hero Yeunyong, through courage and initiative, saves the animal. The character of Sumalee brings the message of love for animals, and bridging the gap between humans and animals.
This is not meant to be a Science studies book, to capture all aspects of the geography and zoology of the forests of central Thailand. The intention is to engender a love of and respect for Nature and all creatures on Earth, and to realise that as one individual, one has the power to create change and to act to protect animals and the environment.
The book is beautifully and richly illustrated in full colour, available in soft cover, with English and Thai versions. 72 pages.
Copyright Linda Pfotenhauer