Extra, Extra Three Trained Pachyderms for Sale When Dorothy and her brother Henry learn that three beloved local circus elephants will soon be retiring, they are shocked and dismayed-but also inspired The owner has agreed to sell the elephants to the children of Boston if they can raise the $6,000. They have two months. They'll have to contribute every penny they have, but they're determined to do it. Soon, more and more children are joining in, donating eveything they have to the cause. Fourteen cents from Roger from washing windows. Five cents from Jimmy from the tooth fairy. Even the local cinema makes a contribution-after the children decide to stop spending their money on movies. Eventually, kids from up and down the whole east coast are chipping in In the end, it's the elephants themselves-Mollie, Waddy, and Tony-who are most grateful for the children's resolute and generous spirit. Following the immense critical success of One Thousand Tracings, Lita Judge has written and illustrated an inspiring and heartwarming picture book, based on a true story of compassion and believing.

"As she did in One Thousand Tracings, Judge weaves a compelling tale based on a true, heartwarming incident. In 1914, the children of Boston raised $6,000 to buy three trained elephants for the Franklin Park Zoo. But told through the eyes of siblings (and fund-raisers) Dorothy and Henry, the story expands into an inspired celebration of kid power. From the opening spread, children are at the helm. 'Pennies for elephants! Send in your pennies, your nickels, and dimes!' hawks the newspaper boy, capturing the children's attention, but not the humorously haughty adult passersby. Dorothy and Henry, along with 50,000 other children, donate their savings, shovel snow and throw admission-based costume parties: 'When Henry got an idea in his head, it was like fuel to a Studebaker.' Such dollops of historical flavor abound, with watercolors of knickers-clad boys and streets bustling with people, horses and horseless carriages. Warm sepia tones lend atmosphere, too, and splashes of bright red, blue, purple and yellow in the children's outfits echo their sunny, can-do demeanor: 'We kids had done it!... Mollie, Waddy, and Tony were home to stay.' Ages 4 — 7. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Based on events that occurred in 1914, this story about two children who raise money to purchase three trained elephants for the zoo is an inspiring example of the great things children can accomplish when they put their minds together. Full color.