Tarra & Bella: The Elephant And Dog Who Became Best Friends Read Free Books and Download eBooks
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. It was love at first sight as this unlikely duo became inseparable. They ate together, slept together, and even understood each other?s language. And when Bella suffered a severe spinal injury, Tarra stayed by her side and was there for her until Bella regained her health. Brilliant color photographs of Tarra and Bella at home in the Elephant Sanctuary deftly illustrate this inspiring story of companionship, and an informative note about the Sanctuary provides a great resource for parents and teachers.
Lexile Measure: AD990L (What's this?)
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers; First edition, first printing (full number line) edition (September 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399254439
ISBN-13: 978-0399254437
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 10.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #157,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #119 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Elephants #954 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs #1207 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Science Studies > Nature
Age Range: 3 - 5 years
Grade Level: 2 - Kindergarten
This book tells the true story of Tarra and Bella, and how much Tarra missed her friend when Bella was injured in a fall. It's a perfect read for children, and this 40-year-old enjoyed it, too! Plenty of wonderful photos, and educational too (there are details about the differences between African and Asian elephants, their diets, etc). It's a book any elephant fan (and dog fans, too!) would enjoy. The friendship between these two is absolutely charming. Photos include frame-by-frame images from video taken of the moment Tarra and Bella were reunited while Bella was convalescing.
Tarra had a long career as an entertainer and even appeared in an episode of "Little House on the Prairie." She was a standout on the set, but even elephants need to retire at some point in time and she was the "first resident of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee." There she would not be asked to roller-skate, stand on her hind legs while standing on a small bench or play a bit part in a movie. Tarra could just be herself and roam the Sanctuary at her will instead of being cooped up in a zoo. Other elephants began to arrive and as they settled in they made a "special friend." There were Winkie and Sissy and Dulary and Misty, but Tarra just had not found a special companion.Then one day this scruffy yellow stray dog named Bella was sleeping next to her when she woke up. Tarra began to chirp with delight and somehow the two became fast friends. Mind you, elephants don't cotton to dogs, but now the Sanctuary saw the "beginning of an amazing relationship . . . Tarra and Bella began to do everything together." They swam together, they ran together, they ate together and they even learned to talk to each other. One day Bella was nowhere to be found and Tarra, who probably was very frightened, refused to budge from where she was standing. Bella was found and she was injured. What was going to happen to these two friends now?This was one of the most heartwarming stories of love and friendship I've read in some time. It's now a widely known story about Tarra and Bella's extraordinary friendship, but I was still awed by the story and the photographs were awesome to say the least. This is a simple, yet powerful story of friendship that has a few subtle messages that we can all learn to incorporate in our hearts. In the back of the book is more information about the Elephant Sanctuary and provides an online link to a "real-time video" of the residents. Look for the EleCam and see if you can identify any of the elephants. Awesome, simply awesome!
I saw Steve Hartman's Assignment America on the CBS Evening News about Tarra and Bella and fell in love. When I heard that there was a book coming out about the two friends, I pre-ordered it. I teach second grade, and have been working on community building in my classroom for the first part of the year. There had been some issues with tattling, unkind words, etc. amongst the kids, and I was able to create a lesson on the importance of kindness and friendship that revolved around Tarra and Bella's story. The pictures are phenomenal, many of them stills from the CBS piece, but the story is more detailed than what originally aired. I still get choked up when I read it!
I made it about 75% of the way through this book before I had to grab a metaphorical tissue. :)This is a wonderful (true) example of finding friendship in the most unexpected places. I love the sincere and unbreakable bond between Elephant and Dog - their loyalty is truly something to aspire to.The book chronicles the elephant's (Tara) arrival to the sanctuary, her part in introducing new elephants to the sanctuary, and how she never gets her one best friend. Until the sweet dog, Bella, shows up and then they are forever together.Until Bella gets sick (and yes, this is the tissue part) because Tarra stays with Bella until the keepers find and take Bella to get better.Even then, Tarra's loyalty shines through, and the bond between Tarra and Bella never falters.As far as prose, I didn't find anything exceptional here, but the pictures were quite beautiful in illustrating the story.Definitely recommended! And, though this book definitely tugs at the heart, it's in a good way and the book will leave you with a smile.
A fascinating story about a larger-than-life elephant and a playful stray dog who form a unique bond with one another. Bella has no fear of her mammoth best bud and Tarra sees the furry little dog as her equal. These creatures inspire hope that, indeed, we can all get along.Buckley's photos capture the fun and excitement of these two special friends.This true story raises our awareness that we are all connected. Like minded souls do not recognize or care about differences in appearance, background or culture.This book is a great addition to Buckley's first picture book titled "Travels with Tarra," which follows the life of Tarra and Carol from Tarra's baby years to Carol's vision and creation of an elephant sanctuary.
When I want to smile, I pick up this book about Tarra & Bella. It's an instant pick-me-up, and the gorgeous photos will warm even the coldest hearts in the world. To see this little smiling dog standing next to this towering elephant, being the best of friends...just amazing. Simply put, if you are an animal lover like I am then you need this in your collection!
What a powerful book of two unlikely friends who came to respect, love and be in separable. I was not prepared for the ending at all because I wanted to believe that such love and friendship endures forever. It does, but not within the confines of reality on this side of life. When we cross over on our spirit journey we will be reunited with all we have loved, not matter how many legs and wings and sounds and songs that he/she has. Still, it is hard to leave this true story and not feel great loss and love.
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