AMERICA'S FIRST ELEPHANT

In 1796, an enterprising American sea captain brought a two- year-old Indian elephant to America, where she delighted crowds from Boston to Savannah. In his fictionalized account, McClung provides a young Indian keeper and the captain's son to accompany ``Kandi'' on the voyage (although he doesn't say which characters are real). The narrative here is not exceptional, but the events themselves—especially the details of transporting an elephant in a sailing ship—are of interest, while the story as a whole makes a fine showcase for a smattering of social history, concluding with President Washington meeting Kandi in the US capital: Philadelphia. Janovitz makes an excellent debut, incorporating authentic detail in her colorful illustrations, the lively characters escaping from their well-organized frames. An attractive choice for young readers. (Nonfiction. 5-10)