Balarama: A Royal Elephant

Ted and Betsy Lewin’s illustrated travelogue of their trip to southern India, where they meet Balarama, the lead Royal Elephant who will make his debut in the traditional parade that concludes the celebration of Dasara in the city of Mysore.

Elephants, the largest land animals on Earth, have long been a part of life throughout India. Some of these huge creatures are trained to do heavy work. Others perform in public festivals. When Ted and Betsy Lewin arrive in southern India to see the elephants, they are introduced to Drona, the Royal Elephant that leads the glorious procession on the last day of Dasara, a centuries-old festival celebrated each fall.

The Lewins are so enthralled with Drona that they decide to return the following year for Dasara. They arrive to find out that Drona has been in an accident and a new lead elephant, the majestic Balarama, has been chosen. This will be his first time carrying the golden howdah--a beautifully carved ceremonial carriage--in the grand finale parade of the Dasara festivities. All eyes will be on Balarama as he makes his debut.

With exciting narrative and vividly colored paintings, Ted and Betsy Lewin invite readers to meet the elephants up close and to participate in the wonderful spectacle of the last day of Dasara. This is an adventure no one will want to miss.

Ted Lewin and his wife, Betsy, have been traveling the world together for decades and have chronicled many of their wide-ranging adventures in books for young readers. In addition to Puffling Patrol, their most recent collaborations were Balarama: A Royal Elephant and Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia, both published by Lee & Low Books. Ted and Betsy have both won countless awards and honors for their books. Ted was awarded a Caldecott Medal Honor in 1994 for Peppe the Lamplighter. When not teaching, visiting with young fans, or traveling, the Lewins are usually drawing and painting in their Brooklyn, New York, home studios. You can visit Ted Lewin online at tedlewin.com Betsy Lewin and her husband, Ted, have been traveling the world together for decades and have chronicled many of their wide-ranging adventures in books for young readers. In addition to Puffling Patrol, their most recent collaborations were Balarama: A Royal Elephant and Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia, both published by Lee & Low Books. Ted and Betsy have both won countless awards and honors for their books. Betsy was the recipient of a Caldecott Medal Honor in 2001 for Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. When not teaching, visiting with young fans, or traveling, the Lewins are usually drawing and painting in their Brooklyn, New York, home studios. You can visit Betsy Lewin online at betsylewin.com