Viku and the Elephant is a story of a boy and a young elephant who become friends in a forest in India. Haatee the elephant communicates with only two sounds – a happy trumpet or a sad cry – but Viku and Haatee understand each other perfectly. The story of their adventures together unfolds quickly, as they take on ivory thieves and thwart their selfish, evil plans. This little gem of a story grew out of a fable the author used to tell his own children when they were little. They would ask to hear it over and over again. Now the story is here for all children to enjoy. This book works well as a read-aloud story for young children, suitable for early readers (2nd and 3rd grades) and excellent for 4th and 5th graders who are ready for chapter books.