Books make wonderful gifts for children, and the story of Zoya and Naru, in particular, may well start a lifelong love affair with books, stories, and the jungle.

In “Zoya and Naru: The African Journey of a Boy and an Elephant,” the baby elephant and the boy develop an unexpected friendship as they embark on a journey to reunite Zoya with her herd. The intrepid boy and a growing group of animals guide the baby elephant on a heartwarming adventure.

A look at the story behind the story.

This story presents a tender and often funny portrait of the ancient African story of nature and humanity coexisting in mutual respect. The characters in the story fill their conversations with beautiful African sayings and life lessons that raise awareness about the plight of elephants and the need to protect them. As a result, the story encourages readers to reflect on their relationship with nature and recognize the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations.

The text, by Caroline Montague, evokes the African bush, its people and wildlife and their vital importance in the rapidly disappearing natural world.

Artist Richie Ryall beautifully illustrated Zoya and Naru, making this book a compelling story of friendship, courage and hope in the face of adversity, which will appeal to adults and children alike.

Published in collaboration with Elephants Alive, Zoya and Naru is a book that will raise awareness about the plight of elephants and the urgent need to protect them before it is too late. Elephant lovers and conservationists are currently working around the clock to tackle the ivory trade and create new corridors for the animals to safely cross borders as they did before.

As Zoya and Naru’s moving story reminds us, we are all custodians of our precious environment and, of course, Africa’s wildlife. Set against the backdrop of survival in the wilds of Africa, this wonderful book makes our duty very clear.

About the Author

Caroline Montague captivates readers with her storytelling and evocative prose. She developed a passion for literature from an early age and has since embarked on a lifelong journey creating narratives that transport readers to rich, immersive worlds.

Throughout her career, Caroline has published several best-selling novels, each exploring themes of love, resilience, and the human experience. Her work has received praise for its lyrical prose, nuanced characterization, dedicated research, and immersive storytelling.

With each book, he invites readers on a journey that transcends time and immerses them in the complexities of the human heart. She is the author of five novels, An Italian affair (2018), A secret from Paris (2019), and Shadows on the Spanish sun (2021), with his new book The pieces of us coming out this year. She wrote Burned Norton under the name Caroline Sandon.

About the illustrator

Richie Ryall is a versatile and exceptionally talented artist and illustrator known for his captivating and imaginative artwork. He has developed a unique style that combines elements of realism and abstraction, influenced by various artistic inspirations. His illustrations are characterized by intricate details, muted colors and energetic markings, creating visually stunning and impressionistic pieces.

Throughout his career, Richie has collaborated with various clients and projects, including nine books, six of which he has self-published. His work has appeared in prominent publications and been exhibited in galleries, earning him the recognition and admiration of the art community and art enthusiasts around the world. Richie has a great ability to tell stories beyond his technical skills. Additionally, each illustration he creates tells a unique narrative, inviting viewers to explore his imaginative world. Additionally, Richie Ryall continues to evolve as an artist, experimenting with new techniques and exploring different themes. As a result, he strives to inspire others through his artwork and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the world of art and illustration.

To purchase prints, go here

About Live Elephants

For the past 25 years, Elephants Alive has followed elephants in and around Kruger National Park in southern Africa to learn why elephants move in specific ways. This information helps them ensure the survival of both wildlife and their habitats. Its projects span privately owned reserves west of Kruger, as well as national parks in South Africa and Mozambique, including community lands in Mozambique.

At a time when elephant populations plummeted, human populations increased dramatically. While increased ivory poaching has been the main driver of a large-scale decline in elephant populations, habitat loss and land fragmentation are also a threat. Obviously, elephants are being squeezed within their natural ranges, human-elephant conflict is increasing, and crop raids are threatening the lives and livelihoods of local communities.

Elephants Alive’s mission is to identify corridors to guarantee space for elephants to roam and ensure their safe passage through community-owned lands, vitally linking protected areas across wider landscapes and national borders.

By tracking elephants and working closely with local communities, they aim to help Mozambicans and others living on this continent restore ecosystems and live in harmony with elephants. To do this, they are informing, empowering and engaging people who live near elephants to become key actors in promoting harmonious coexistence between elephants and people.

Learn more about their activities by visiting https://elephantsalive.org/

Main image courtesy of Richie Ryall