Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends

If it has occurred to you, fellow reader, that there seems to have been an explosion of picture-books detailing inspirational true stories of unlikely cross-species animal friendship recently, then you are not alone. I think by now the picture-book reader is probably pretty familiar with the tale of Owen & Mzee, the baby hippo and ancient tortoise brought together in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. He or she may also have come across the story of the Two Bobbies, a dog and cat who survived together in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Then there's the recent Tiger Pups, in which three white Bengal tiger cubs are nursed by a golden retriever.

So it is that my first thought, upon catching sight of Carol Buckley's Tarra & Bella, which show more details the story of a friendship between Tarra the elephant and a stray dog name Bella, was: "Oh no! Not ANOTHER one!" Of course I picked it up anyway (it's about ELEPHANTS, after all!), and was soon won over by the photographs of a euphoric Bella, bounding along beside her massive friend, and the details of Tarra's faithful care for her canine companion. Yes, I teared up a bit, when Buckley related how Tarra stood still for hours, refusing to move until help arrived for the injured Bella. Elephants are so darn smart! So loving, and so faithful!

What can I say? I've always loved elephants, and this tale of an old performer finally finding the home and friend she deserves, at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, won my heart. show less

This book tells the true story of Tarra the elephant and Bella the dog: a pair of animals who became unlikely best friends. Tarra was an elephant who was used in the entertainment industry for most of her life. Bella was a stray dog in a wildlife conservation in Tennessee. Tarra was the first elephant taken to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. More elephants were brought there, but none developed a bond with Tarra. While most of the elephants in the sanctuary were afraid of the stray dogs, Tarra was not. One dog, Bella, was very interested in Tarra as well. The two became inseparable, and were able to communicate and interact with each other in unique ways. One day, Bella injured her spinal cord and went missing. Tarra stood nearby show more all day until workers noticed Bella lying in a small ditch. While she was healing. Bella was kept inside, but Tarra somehow knew which building she was in. The two animals would call out to each other, until the workers finally brought Bella outside. Throughout her healing process, Bella was taken outside to see Tarra everyday. Her spine healed over time, and she was able to walk and play with Tarra again. Throughout the book, photographic images are used to show each event.

The main idea of this text is that best friends can be very different from each other, and that the support and love of a best friend is so important for a happy and healthy life. Tarra's quality of life improved because of Bella and vice versa. Without Tarra, Bella may have never been found after her injury. The two animals supported each other and loved each other, and their quality of life improved because of this. show less

See my Q&A including updates with Carol Buckley and learn more about Tarra at www.readrantrockandroll.com

Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends by Carol Buckley is the touching story about an unlikely animal friendship between Tarra the elephant, and Bella the dog at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

The story itself is so heartwarming, but the added photographs of Tarra & Bella make it one of the best animal friendship books we've read.

After reading about Tarra & Bella, we headed over to www.elephants.com to take a look at the live Elecam video feed. Children can view the elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary in real time.

Even though this book came out in 2009, it's one of our favorite children's books in show more 2017.

5***** show less

I love this book as I feel there is a great message portrayed through a cute story. I feel as though this book would be a great illustration for children about embracing diversity. Within the story of Tarra and Bella we find two animals from two different walks of life brought together as children are in a classroom. But in this story we see that what's on the inside is important. No matter how different someone looks, we can all view each other as special loved by God. I also love that in this book, the story is brought to life with pictures of the real-life characters.

The author tells the heartwarming story of Tarra the retired circus elephant, and her unlikely friend, Bella, the stray dog. Tarra is relocated to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee and becomes fast friends with Bella the stray dog. I think this is a great book to use with younger children. It is nonfiction but it has a "story-like" feel to it; partially because Tarra and Bella are unlikely friends who face hardships and overcome them together. Readers will appreciate the real photographs of both Tarra and Bella.

I know that this story is about a dog and Elephant-But the animals do not talk and it is a true story. this is about an elephant who was in the Circus and retired to live on a Elephant sanctuary. This stray dog was wandering around and they became friends. The story is very touching. When the dog got hurt the Elephant stayed outside in the exact spot waiting for her friend to return. when the dog didn't come back she searched for her and located her. Well the rest of the story is incredible so you should just read it too. I believe it is a story that all children should hear.
Ages 2-102
Source -Pierce county Library

Tarra was a roller-skating elephant in the circus, in a movie, and on television. Finally, she was retired and taken to live in a sanctuary for elephants in Tennessee. Usually, an elephant will befriend another elephant, but Tarra did not make a friend there for a long time. One day, however, she met Bella and, unexpectedly, the two became best friends.The text is simple and easy to understand. The book is illustrated with photographs of Tarra and Bella. A little:“Bella was rushed to the animal hospital, where the vets said she had a spinal cord injury. No one knew if Bella would ever walk again, but they took Bella home and made her comfortable in the heated office above the elephant barn while they tried to nurse her back to help. show more Through a large window Bella watched longingly as the elephants played outside. Meanwhile, for two full days, Tarra remained standing at the exact spot where Bella had been found, waiting for Bella to return.”Children’s comments:One child said, "I like how a little bitty animal and a big animal are friends." Another child said she liked how loving the pictures are. Both boys and girls liked this book. Most gave it a five, but a few thought it was a three. show less