HEY ELEPHANT! WHERE ARE YOU?: Inspired by an African Safari for Landon James

In St. Lucia, South Africa, on the morning we met our tour guide to drive to the Hluhulwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve before sunrise, I saw the shape of the head of an elephant in the patterns and swirls of the tiles on the bathroom floor. I knew it was a sign, and knew I had my inspiration for a children’s book. All day long I was looking for elephants. As the safari was ending and no elephants were seen, I began spinning ways to end the story without seeing elephants. After all, it wasn’t like visiting the zoo or going to a circus. I had evidence they had been there. And then we turned one last corner . . .