All of the elephants wept as one of their own lay dying in childbirth. But Kanita, the daughter of the royal elephant trainer, refused to give up. With her own hands, she helped bring the baby elephant, Safi, into the world, beginning a lifelong friendship between a girl and her elephant. But many of the villagers worried about the curse of the white elephant with the red birthmark across her … across her face.
Raised in the mountains of northern Siam, Kanita’s idyllic life is shattered when she is ordered to marry a much older man and leave her beloved yet cursed elephant behind. But Kanita’s stubborn nature refuses to bow to her parents’ wishes.
Kanita and Safi flee their village with the goal of redeeming Safi from her cursed reputation and cementing their bond, vowing to never be separated.
But the jungle is more dangerous than Kanita or Safi could have imagined.
From new author Zoey Gong, follow Kanita and Safi through the jungles of ancient Siam in a story of friendship, hope, and redemption.
A Girl and her Elephant is the first book in the Animal Companion series, but each book is a stand-alone novel with new characters and adventures.
ZOEY GONG was born and raised in rural Hunan Province, China. She has been studying English and working as a translator since she was sixteen years old. Now in her early twenties, Zoey loves traveling and eating noodles for every meal. She lives in Shenzhen with her cat, Jello, and dreams of one day disappointing her parents by being a Leftover Woman (剩女).
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Well written and definitely appeals to animal lovers. Can be read at a younger teen age or older. Definitely found Kanita and Safi to be endearing.
A girl and her cursed elephant – a unique adventure
Immediately the story is impressive. When baby elephant Safi’s mother dies in childbirth, Kanita vows to take care of Safi and she is determined to see that promise through.
This story moved me so much, it brought me to tears. Very adventurous and oh-so suspenseful at times. The book took me on a journey through all sorts of emotions: fear, relief, sadness, hope. Elephants are so smart and sensitive. The love between Kanita and Safi was palpable. A unique story with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat: I L.O.V.E.D. it! It was unlike anything I’ve ever read before and it made quite an impression on me! It’s young adult, but also very suited for older-than-ya readers.
I was actually sad that it ended… I wanted it to continue!!! I’m bubbling over with enthusiasm. Wow, what an amazing book! This is one author I’m definitely going to follow!
No cliff-hanger.
A great read about the love of an animal and the things we do for them. The love we gove them & the consequences we take for them.
The Animal Companions Boxed Set 1 – 3: These are well written stories by a nonnative English speaker; she did an excellent job writing in English. Expect tears as well as joy from each of these stories. The storylines and characters are well thought out and the vivid descriptions introduce the reader to two worlds not common to outsiders. Girls are not valued by these societies and these three stories are wonderful, heartwarming, heartbreaking and show what actually is important in life.
The stories are clean, and the violence and hardships faced are suitable for children. Less violent than The Call of the Wild, which is a good book for children of all ages. I found Ms. Gong’s books on Booksprout. Minor editing needed, but nothing distracting, and these books are actually better edited than what passes for edited nowadays. 5 stars.
A Girl and Her Elephant – Interesting, likable characters that have honor and try to do the right thing in the face of adversities. Safi has a wonderful personality. Emotional, smooth flowing and well written filled with suspense and plenty of love and determination. 5*
A Girl and Her Panda – Another heart wrenching story that easily makes the tears flow, but leaves heartwarming feelings. The emotions run the gamut as this story flows through the pages leaving the reader immersed in this heartbreaking story. Again, the characters are interesting and likable, and filled with determination in the face of great adversity. PanPan is an amazing personality. 5*
A Girl and Her Tiger – I found this story a bit unrealistic, main character wise. Her actions are impulsive and emotional, therefore, not thinking of the consequences from her actions, and she does bring destruction in her wake. Her relationship with the tiger is wonderful, but she’s dangerous for the tiger also. This story doesn’t seem to have the flow of Elephant and Panda, and it was difficult to accept her when she was really out of control.
She does persevere through many ordeals and shows her fighting spirit and determination. The real British influence on her India blows her mind completely after trying to bring a British criminal to justice. She should grow up to be a major force, if she can overcome her emotions and let logic rule. I know India’s history and culture and this book rings true on the history. 4*
A Girl and Her Elephant
Eight years old Kanita was a simple village girl, but she wasn’t like all the other girls. She wanted to be a mahout; an elephant trainer/tender. But, she was a girl… And it was forbidden for girls to become mahout.
One evening, a terrible moaning arose in the village; Kanita raced from her bed to discover the source; one of the sacred white elephants was in labor and losing the battle. In fear for the lives of both elephants, Kanita assisted in the birth of the calf. The little calf was born alive, but her mother expired. As Kanita was cleaning the calf, it became apparent that the calf was a sacred white elephant, just like its mother! But, a large pink/red birthmark was discovered on the side of the calf’s face. Others whispered this was a bad omen, that the newborn calf was bad luck. Kanita pleaded with her father to let the calf live, that she would tend to it and help it thrive.
Several weeks later, a royal edict arrived; the elephant calf must die! It was bad luck! Upon hearing this, Kanita took Safi, her elephant calf, and was going to go for the jungle. Kanita would protect Safi with her life! After a while, her father agreed to let the calf live, but only if Kanita took care of it, and it didn’t cause problems.
Eight years later, Kanita and Safi are enjoying a bath in the river, when Kanita hears her mother urgently calling for her. Upon arriving home, Kanita is introduced to Chakri, a 40-year-old man, and is informed that Chakri will become her husband, as soon as the arrangements can be made. Kanita is horrified; she doesn’t know this man! And there’s something about him; something malevolent. Despite her vehement protests, Kanita WILL MARRY Chakri; her father has decided, and his word is law.
Kanita goes to Safi for solace; Kanita is to leave her village and Safi behind forever. Making a split decision, Kanita attempts to escape her fate by leaving with Safi before the marriage ceremony can take place. Before Kanita can leave with Safi, her father catches her and strikes her in front of Safi; Safi retaliates, and strikes Kanita’s father with her trunk, throwing him into the trees. This is bad, terribly bad… now Safi will be killed on sight; she harmed a man. What can Kanita do to save Safi’s life, and to make people see that Safi is the kindest, most gentle elephant, and not bad luck at all?
Beautifully written, The Girl and Her Elephant is so much more than just a simple tale of a girl becoming a woman; it’s a tale of a girl that knows, deep in her soul, that there is more to the world and her life than her current narrow little slice of familiarity; that she has the right to make her own decisions, the right to defend her friend Safi, the right to choose if and when and whom she will marry. More, Kanita learns that it’s up to her to make her own way into the world, and so much more awaits her than the life her father would have her live. Kanita discovers unplumbed depths of courage, compassion and heart within herself and Safi.
I was lucky enough to be able to read this book in advance and it is fantastic! Set in old Siam, Kanita forms a bond with a baby elephant named Safi. When Kanita is told to marry an old man and leave her elephant behind, Kanita and Safi flee their village and go on an amazing journey. At times funny, at times leaving me in tears, A Girl and Her Elephant is a book that kids and adults will love.