Zoya and Naru: An African Journey of a Boy and an Elephant

Books make such wonderful gifts for children, and the story of Zoya and Naru, in particular, may very well ignite a lifelong love affair with books, stories and the bush.

In “Zoya and Naru: An African Journey of a Boy and an Elephant,” the baby elephant and the boy develop an unexpected friendship as they embark on a journey to reunite Zoya with his herd. The intrepid boy and a growing group of animals lead the baby elephant on a poignant adventure.

A glimpse of the story behind the story

This story presents a tender and often amusing portrayal of the age-old African story of nature and humankind coexisting in mutual respect. The characters in the story fill their conversations with beautiful African proverbs and life lessons that raise awareness of the plight of elephants and the need to protect them. As a result, the story encourages readers to reflect on their relationship with nature and to recognize the importance of preserving the natural world for future generations.

The text, by Caroline Montague, is evocative of the African bush, its people and wildlife and their vital importance in the fast-disappearing natural world.

The artist Richie Ryall beautifully illustrated Zoya and Naru, making this book a compelling tale of friendship, courage, and hope in the face of adversity, that will appeal to adults and children alike.

Published in partnership with Elephants Alive, Zoya and Naru is a book which will raise awareness of the plight of elephants and the urgent need to protect them before it’s too late. Elephant lovers and conservationists are currently working against time to tackle the ivory trade and to create new corridors for animals to move safely across borders as they once did.

As the poignant story of Zoya and Naru reminds us, we are all custodians of our precious environment and, of course, of the wildlife of Africa. With its backdrop of survival in the wilds of Africa, this marvellous book makes our duty crystal clear.

About the Author

Caroline Montague captivates readers with her storytelling and evocative prose. She developed a passion for literature early on and has since embarked on a lifelong journey of crafting narratives that transport readers to rich, immersive worlds.

Throughout her career, Caroline has published several bestselling novels, each exploring themes of love, resilience and the human experience. Her work has garnered praise for its lyrical prose, nuanced characterisation, dedicated research and immersive storytelling.

With each book, she invites readers on a journey that transcends time and immerses them in the complexities of the human heart. She is the author of five novels, An Italian Affair (2018), A Paris Secret (2019), and Shadows Over the Spanish Sun (2021), with her new book The Pieces of Us coming out this year. She wrote Burnt Norton under the name Caroline Sandon.

About the Illustrator

Richie Ryall is an exceptionally talented, versatile artist and illustrator known for his captivating and imaginative artworks. He has developed a unique style that blends elements of realism and abstraction, influenced by various artistic inspirations. His illustrations are characterised by intricate details, muted colours and energetic marks, creating visually stunning and Impressionistic pieces.

Throughout his career, Richie has collaborated with various clients and projects, including nine books, six of which he has self-published. His work has been featured in prominent publications and exhibited in galleries, earning him recognition and admiration from the artistic community and art enthusiasts from around the globe. Richie possesses a keen storytelling ability beyond his technical skills. Moreover, each illustration he creates tells a unique narrative, inviting viewers to explore his imaginative world. Furthermore, Richie Ryall continues to evolve as an artist, experimenting with new techniques and exploring different themes. As a result, he strives to inspire others through his artwork and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the world of art and illustration.

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About Elephants Alive

Over the past 25 years, Elephants Alive has followed elephants in and around the Kruger National Park in southern Africa to learn why elephants move in specific ways. This information helps them to ensure the survival of both wildlife and their habitats. Their projects span privately owned reserves on the west of Kruger, as well as national parks in South Africa and Mozambique, including community land in Mozambique.

In a time when elephant populations plummeted, human populations drastically increased. While the surge of ivory poaching has been a primary driver of a large-scale decline in elephant populations, habitat loss and fragmentation of land are also a threat. Elephants are obviously being compressed within their natural ranges, human–elephant conflict is growing, and crop raiding is threatening the lives and livelihoods of local communities.

Elephants Alive’s mission is to identify corridors to ensure space for elephants to roam and to secure their safe passage across community-owned land, vitally linking protected areas across larger landscapes and national boundaries.

By tracking elephants and working closely with local communities, they intend to help Mozambicans and others who inhabit this continent restore ecosystems and live in harmony with elephants. To this end, they are informing, empowering and involving people who live near elephants to become key players in promoting harmonious coexistence between elephants and people.

Find out more about their activities by visiting https://elephantsalive.org/

Main image courtesy Richie Ryall