Just outside the valley, a small boy lived with his family. At seven, Suku was old enough to go into the bush with the other boys and young men; but Suku feared the lions and he had not yet the courage to venture far away from his village.

One moonlit evening, Toto’s curiosity led him outside the valley, where he was caught in a poacher’s trap. Early the next morning, it was Suku who found Toto and freed him. But the little elephant would not leave Suku’s side and Suku realized that he had to lead Toto back into the bush no matter how afraid he was.

Marietta Moskin’s warm and understanding story of a boy and an elephant growing up also presents an authentic picture of a small African village. Rocco Negri’s bold, dramatic woodcuts capture the atmosphere of Africa, the people and the many animals that live there.

A fine web site about Toto has been created by 4th Grade teacher Donna Fuller. See it at: