Elephant Bowling and Other Animal Play

Take a walk on the wild side and prepare to be entertained by the shenanigans of critters around the globe.

Step into the fascinating world of animal playtime to find penguins surfing for the joy of it, primates playing peekaboo, and sneaky keas--the pranksters of the bird world--yanking one another's legs just for kicks. Creatures of all stripes like to play! Some play builds strength and teaches survival skills: a game of tug-of-war prepares wolf cubs for hunting and taking down prey, while games of hide-and-seek give mongooses practice at quick escapes, handy for outmaneuvering predators. Some games appear to be played simply for enjoyment: Polar bears love to slide down snowy hills, then climb back up and do it again. Gorilla parents swing, hug, and give bouncy rides to their children. And elephants have been known to lie in wait for a companion to come strolling along, then--BAROOM!--roll downhill to bowl them over like a friendly ball. Join Richard Haynes and Stephanie Laberis, creators of Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use, for another illuminating walk on the wild side. Scientific observations from the natural world, a glossary, and a bibliography combine with colorful and vivacious illustrations to make this guide an extra fun look at--fun!

Author: Richard Haynes
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 10.70h x 9.80w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781536230901
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 04/01/2025 pg. 138
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2025 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2025
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 61

About the Author
Richard Haynes (1952-2024) grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, one of nine children. Every day of his boyhood was filled with adventure, much of it in the great outdoors. He was the author of Elephant Bowling and Other Animal Play and its companion book, Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use, both illustrated by Stephanie Laberis. In a starred review of Orangutan Hats, Kirkus Reviews predicted that readers would "devour this dynamic and informative explanation of the inventiveness to be found within the animal world." Richard Haynes was also the author of the early chapter book Slingshot and Burp, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin, which Publishers Weekly described as "a boisterous tale that speaks to long summer days of (mostly) unfettered freedom."

Stephanie Laberis is a character designer and illustrator who specializes in creating art for animation and children's publications. She is the illustrator of Richard Haynes's Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use as well as Prudence the Part-Time Cow by Jody Jensen Shaffer, the Grumpy Cat books, and many other Little Golden Books. Stephanie Laberis lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.