The Children’s Book Review | August 28, 2018
Eric Walters has written one hundred children’s books, which have won more than 125 awards. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2014 for his contribution to literature for children and young adults. Walters also runs the Creation of Hope, a charity in Kenya. He lives in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with his family.
I write because …
It is my passion.
I read because …
The world fascinates me.
My latest published book is …
Elephant Secret
I wrote this book because …
I love elephants and how they interact with humans—and then add in the whole ‘secret’ part and it was compelling to write.
Best moment …
Convincing my wife to marry me.
My special place to write is …
Everywhere. I’ve written at the top of mountains, while walking across the Mara in Kenya, at Burger King.
Necessary writing/creativity tool …
Time. All I need is time.
The person who has been my greatest writing teacher or inspiration is …
My grade five teacher told me I could be a writer when I grow up. She just turned 93 and she is a character in a book—it was dedicated to her and we made the book launch in January into a surprise 93rd birthday party!
Currently reading …
I’m afraid it’s rather boring neurological reference sources for a neurological/sci-fi/action/teen romance I’m writing!
Favorite bookshop …
Indigo
All-time favorite children’s book I didn’t write …
Maniac Magee
Favorite illustrator …
Eugenie Fernandez
A literary character I would like to vacation with …
It wouldn’t be a vacation but the world of The Hate U Give and the characters inside that story.
When I am not reading or writing I am …
Spending time with my family and thinking about writing and reading.
You can learn about Eric Walters at www.ericwalters.net and on Twitter.
Elephant Secret
Written by Eric Walters
Publisher’s Synopsis: We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival—a woolly mammoth.
Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly—who isn’t actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant—and human—behavior.
Ages 10-12 | Publisher: Clarion Books | August 28, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-1328796172
Available Here:
Discover more books like Elephant Secret, written by Eric Walters, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Elephant Books, Friendship, and Middle Grade Books; plus, be sure to follow along with our Writing and Reading Life series.
