SUGGESTED BOOKS AND WEBSITES
TREKKING THROUGH ASIA
To support students’ understanding of the learning objectives of this Toyota Elephant Passage Field
Trip Discovery Unit, refer to the list of suggested books and websites.
Adventures of Riley: Tigers in Terai, Amanda Lumry
This book blends photographs and illustrations to tell the dynamic story of a child's travels around India
and Nepal.
Amphibians (Eyewitness Books), DK Publishing
This nonfiction book reveals many facts about amphibians.
An Elephant in the Backyard, Richard Sobol
Children learn about how domesticated elephants live side-by-side with the families in a small village in
Thailand in this photographic story book.
Asia, David Peterson
A great introduction to the continent of Asia.
Asian Elephant (Save Our Animals!), Louise Spilsbury
Learn where Asian elephants live and what they eat. Discover why Asian elephants need our help and
how you can help. For younger grades, read ahead of time to ensure that the content is appropriate.
Atlas of the Far East and Southeast Asia, Victor Mason & Trina Bohan-Tyrie
This atlas focuses on this region of Asia.
Cambodia and Laos (Eyewitness Travel Guide), DK Publishing
Travel guide about Cambodia and Laos to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Colorado, Lonely Planet
Travel guide about Colorado to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Ecology (Eyewitness Books), DK Publishing
This book explores basic ecological concepts that can be contextualized to any area of the world.
Elephant (Eyewitness Books), Ian Redmond
Discover the world of elephants -- their natural history, behavior and how humans have changed their
lives.
Elephants: A Book for Children, David Henry Wilson and Steve Bloom
Steve Bloom's extraordinary photographs depict the elephants in their natural environment as well as in
their unique relationships with people.
Elephants Can Paint Too!, Katya Arnold
Elephants live in Asia. They eat three hundred pounds of food a day. They spray water out of their
trunks. Even so, they are a lot like you. They like to eat cookies and hang out with their friends. They
even like to paint pictures. In this true story you'll learn about an amazing class of elephants that are
taught to become artists by an amazing teacher.
Elephants of the Tsunami, Jana Laiz
Elephants of the Tsunami is based on a true story about eight working elephants of Thailand, who,
during the 2004 South Asian Tsunami, freed themselves from their bonds and raced down to the beach
to rescue nearly fifty people who otherwise would have been consumed by the sea.
Endangered Leopards, Bobbie Kalman
Learn about leopards and why some are endangered.
Endangered Rhinoceroses, Bobbie Kalman
Learn about rhinos and why they are endangered.
Flying Fox Bats, Tamara Britton
Learn about flying fox bats.
Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills, Scot Ritchie
This interactive picture book demonstrates key mapping concepts as they help Sally search for Max
and Ollie, a mischievous dog and cat.
Green Tree Pythons, Cecilia Pinto McCarthy
Learn about green tree pythons.
India, Lonely Planet
Travel guide about India to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
India (A True Book), Sunita Apte
Explore the people, places, and culture of India.
India (Eyewitness Travel Guide), DK Publishing
Travel guide about India to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Into Wild India: The Jeff Corwin Experience, Animal Planet
Learn about some of India's animals with a familiar face: Jeff Corwin.
Jungle (Eyewitness Books), DK Publishing
Be an eyewitness to all the action of the rain forest, and learn about many Asian animals and cultures
that call the rainforest their home.
Malaysia (A True Book), Ann Heinrichs
Learn about culture in Malaysia.
Malaysia and Singapore (Eyewitness Travel Guide), DK Publishing
Travel guide about Malaysia and Singapore to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Maps and Globes, Jack Knowlton
Maps and globes can take you anywhere -- to the top of the tallest mountain on earth or the bottom of
the deepest ocean. Maps tell you about the world: where various countries are located, where the
jungles and deserts are, even how to find your way around your own hometown.
My Water Comes from the Mountains, Tiffany Fourment
Learn about the natural cycle of water by looking at the nation's watershed, the Continental Divide of
the Rocky Mountains. Learn about the water cycle from evaporation to glacier formation to the zones of
life that water passes through, including alpine tundra, prairie, and conifer forest. See how the people
and animals rely on the water too.
Otters (New True Book), Emilie Lepthien
Look in this book to learn about otters, including Asian small-clawed otters.
Reptiles (Eyewitness Books), DK Publishing
This nonfiction book reveals many facts about reptiles.
Rivers of India, Sunil Vaidyanathan
This pictorial journey delves into the symbiosis between India's major rivers and the people who live
along them and their intimate link with myth, belief and religion. Along with the narrative of the rivers are
interesting asides looking at marvels of engineering, cultural and recreational events, as well as the
deep-rooted symbolic relevance of the river in Indian music, art, religion and literature.
Sri Lanka (Modern Nations of the World), Debra Miller
Sri Lanka, a small but beautiful island country in Southeast Asia, has long endured a bitter civil war
between its Sinhalese majority and the minority Tamils. Today, it is also famous as a victim of a
massive 2004 tsunami. This selection explores this unique nation's history, people, and culture
Thailand, Steve Van Beek
The land of smiling women, golden temples, giant Buddhas, and the immense and alluring city of
Bangkok is also a place of beaches of the finest sand, unspoiled nature, and impenetrable rain forests.
Thailand is a kaleidoscope of images, history, excitement - a nation with a thousand faces, in the very
heart of Asia.
Thailand (Exploring Countries), Walter Simmons
Learn about culture in Thailand.
Thailand (Eyewitness Travel Guide), DK Publishing
Travel guide about Thailand to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
The White Elephant, Sid Fleishmann
This children's chapter book features a boy who receives an elephant as a gift, but because this white
elephant is so rare, it is not allowed to do any work. The story not only emphasizes the challenges and
rewards of having an elephant as a pet, but also touches on many facts about Asian elephants and how
to care for them.
Vietnam, Lonely Planet
Travel guide about Vietnam to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Vietnam (Exploring Countries), Walter Simmons
Travel guide about Vietnam to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Vietnam and Angkor Wat (Eyewitness Travel Guide), DK Publishing
Travel guide about Vietnam and Angkor Wat to learn from and use as an example for the final project.
Welcome to Indonesia, Patrick Ryan
Learn about culture in Indonesia.
Whose Tracks Are These? A Clue Book of Familiar Forest Animals, Jim Nail
This clue book describes familiar animals, most of which are found in Colorado, their adaptations and
some of their needs to help students guess which animal is next.
World Atlas for Young Explorers, National Geographic
Go on a world tour to learn about land, people, and animals from all continents! Look for icons in the
book that let you explore more on the web: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids-world-atlas/
Blue Planet Biomes
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/se_asian_rnfrst.htm
This page is on Southeast Asian rainforests.
Denver Zoo - Toyota Elephant Passage
http://www.denverzoo.org/toyota_elephant_passage/index.htm
Find information about animals, the regions of tropical Asia, and what you might see during your trip
to Denver Zoo's Toyota Elephant Passage.
Ducksters
http://www.ducksters.com/geography/southeastasia.php
Ducksters is simple, quick and easy to read website about countries all over the world.
Enchanted Learning – Biomes
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes
Enchanted Learning has information on regions and habitats, as well as extension learning activities.
Fact Monster – Asian Atlas
http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/asia.html
Students can explore geography, culture and ecology on all Asian countries.
Frommer’s
http://www.frommers.com
Frommer’s is full of information on traveling to tropical regions of Asia, and may provide inspiration for
ways to organize and create online student-developed guides.
Happenin' Habitats
http://happeninhabitats.pwnet.org/what_is_habitat/index.php
Explore this guide for teachers who are teaching about habitats and the outdoors.
Kids Biology
http://www.kidsbiology.com/animals-for-children.php
Kidsbiology.com is a kid friendly site where you can look information on a specific animal.
Kids Planet
http://kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html
Find fact sheets about animals.
Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet’s online version is full of information on traveling to tropical regions of Asia, and may
provide inspiration for ways to organize and create online student-developed guides.
Mongabay
http://kids.mongabay.com/
Mongabay is a website all about rainforests, with fun stories and great pictures from rainforests all
over the world.
National Geographic - Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature
National Geographic kids, has information on animals and culture all around the world.
National Geographic – Color Pages of Animals
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coloringbook/archive
Printable coloring sheets of animals
New World Encyclopedia
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Southeast_Asia
Encyclopedia information on Southeast Asia.
Sheppard Software’s Kids Corner
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/kidscorner3.htm
Sheppard has many games, activities, and printable resources to help students learn about animals,
ecosystems, and the food chain.
Steve Bloom
http://www.stevebloom.com/
http://www.stevebloomphoto.com/portfolios/index.html
Search through Steve Bloom's incredible photos of animals, landscapes, and people for project
inspiration or to help inform your activities.