SUGGESTED BOOKS AND WEBSITES
HABITATS ARE HOMES
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.
BOOKS
Adventures of Riley: Tigers in Terai, Amandy 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.
Apes and Monkeys, Barbara Taylor
How are apes and monkeys different? Enjoy learning about chattering chimps and curious colobus
monkeys, as well as the remarkable things apes and monkeys do. Species from around the world are
introduced by continent, and the differences between apes and monkeys are clearly explained.
Asia, David Peterson
This book serves as an age-appropriate introduction to the continent of Asia.
Asian Elephants (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, Picture Window Books
This atlas focuses on this region of Asia.
Bats (Scholastic Reader Level 1),Lily Wood
This early reader is all about bats.
Bees, Snails, and Peacock Tails, Betsy Franco and Steve Jenkins
Explore amazing shapes and patterns found in nature and see how these adaptations might help
animals.
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
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.
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.
Gecko's Complaint: A Balinese Folktake, Retold by Ann Martin Bowler
This retelling of a classic Balinese folktake introduces students to animals that have once or do call
Indonesian habitats their home through story and beautiful illustrations.
Grandfather's Dream, Holly Keller
The Vietnam war is over, and Grandfather and young Nam dream that the wetlands will be restored
so that the beautiful cranes that once filled the sky might return home. But other villagers think that
growing rise is a more practical use for the land.
I See A Kookaburra! Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World, Steve Jenkins and
Robin Page
Search for an oystercatcher, an elephant shrew, and a fierce snapping turtle in the places where they
live. Learn how these animals and many others grow and thrive in very different environments.
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), Theresa Greenaway
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.
Little Skink’s Tail, Janet Halfmann
While Little Skink hunts yummy ants for breakfast, she is suddenly attacked by a crow! But she has a
trick to escape. She snaps off her tail, and it keeps on wiggling! Little Skink is happy to be alive, but
she misses her bright blue tail. She daydreams of having the tails of other animals in the forest, then
one day…she doesn't have to dream of tails anymore.
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. So open a map, spin
a globe. The wide world awaits you.
Me on the Map, Joan Sweeney
In this playful introduction to maps and geography, step by simple step, a young girl shows readers
herself on a map of her room, her room on the map of her house, her house on the map of her street-all the way to her country on a map of the world. Once the reader is familiar with the maps, she
demonstrates how readers can find their own country, state, and town--all the way back to their room-on each colorful map.
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.
National Geographic Wild Animals Atlas, National Geographic
In this child-friendly atlas, stunning animal photos combine with colorful, easily accessible maps to
teach young readers about geography through the wild creatures that fascinate them. Thematic
spreads deliver the facts about habitats, endangered species, and more. See where greater onehorned rhinoceroses and fishing cats live in Asia!
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.
Snakes: Slither and Hiss, DK Publishing
This early reader is all about snakes.
The Snake Book, Mary Ling and Mary Atkinson
Snakes have a very simple design, yet their variety is immense. By explaining its different features,
the reader can discover how each snake is particularly suited for its habitat, lifestyle and method of
hunting.
Verdi, Janell Cannon
Verdi is a proud python, flourishing in the flower of his youth. He loves to swiftly slither around the
forest, brandishing his bright yellow skin, and can't fathom why anyone would want to be sleepy and
green like the adult snakes he knows. Verdi insists, as so many youngsters do, "I will never be lazy,
boring or green!"
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.
WEBSITES
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 countries, habitats, and activity extensions for teachers.
Fact Monster – Asian Atlas
http://www.factmonster.com/atlas/asia.html
Students can explore geography, culture and ecology on all Asian countries.
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 endangered animal species.
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 cultures all around the world.
National Geographic – Coloring Pages of Animals
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coloringbook/archive
Find printable coloring sheets of animals.
New World Encyclopedia
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Southeast_Asia
Find encyclopedic information about Southeast Asia.
Sheppard Software’s Kids Corner
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/kidscorner3.htm
Sheppard has many games, activities, and printables to help students learn about animals,
ecosystems, and the food chain.
Steve Bloom Photography
http://www.stevebloom.com/
http://www.stevebloomphoto.com/portfolios/index.html
Search through Steve Bloom’s photographic stories of wildlife and people from around the world,
including swimming elephants.
Story Cove
http://www.storycove.com
The Story Cove series of illustrated folktales actively engages the imagination of young readers. It
includes the story "How Tiger Got His Stripes: A folktale from Vietnam."