A HARE IN THE ELEPHANT’S TRUNK (Red Deer Press, 2010)

KIRKUS REVIEWS (HARE received a Kirkus star, meaning it’s a book of “remarkable merit”)
Inspired by Jacob’s true story, Coates writes vividly and poetically, establishing a clear historical context for her inspirational tale.A good match with Linda Sue Park’s A Long Walk to Water (2010) and Mary Williams’ picture book Brothers in Hope, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie (2005). From the beginning, Jacob Deng embodied the spirit of Wadeng, the faith that tomorrow will be better, and by the end of the tale, Jacob as storyteller and writer is poised to enter a wider world, where “there are as many books in the world as there are stars in the African sky.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, May 1, 2011  “This novel, based on the life of the real Jacob Deng, provides insight into the struggles of the Sudan as well as a strong, clear voice. Coates gives an unflinching and poetic glimpse into the life of a boy who chose hope in the face of adversity.

DEBORAH ELLIS (prolific Canadian writer of young readers’ books such as THE BREADWINNER trilogy, The HEAVEN SHOP and many others:
“An important and well-written story. Jan Coates takes the reader deep into the lives of children dealing with the uproar of war and terror – a strong reminder that the world needs to do better.“

BOOKLIST  “…this novel describes the brutal journey and the bliss, for some, of finding food, fresh water, and shelter, as well as the pressure the boys feel to join the army. Along the way, Jacob nurtures a young kid, and his explanations to the child about the struggle “to find peace again” also put the events in context for readers. Teens will be moved by the unsparing survival story and the climax, when Jacob learns to read.”

CM (CANADIAN REVIEW OF MATERIALS)   “Author Jan Coates has managed to keep a child’s perspective, even as these boys are forced to contend with situations which overwhelm adults. ..As a compelling story of the lives of war-affected children, it certainly has a place in middle-school (a choice for more advanced readers) and senior high school libraries and would be a good choice as supplemental work for language arts/English classroom studies of war-time experiences.” Highly Recommended

SWON Libraries Royal Review, Sean Andres (Ohio high school student)  Jan L. Coates hits the nail on the head with the theme of education promoting peace and ridding of ignorance. The evils of war are a plague upon the earth, making so many suffer of all ages. A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk is a riveting, compelling, and fast-paced novel that allows the characters to naturally shine, many who are complex and round. Jacob’s love of storytelling comes in handy many times, and even though he learns to read and write in English, he never gives up his family and his culture. He is a respectable character, from whom children could learn many great qualities. Even the character Majok, who is so easy to hate because of his own hatred, comes to realize how education can be beneficial and becomes kind. Seeing the world through a growing child’s eyes is something spectacular, and Coates does it well.

FOREWORD MAGAZINE  “Young readers will find admirable qualities in Jacob, as he perseveres through months of thirst, hunger, bloody wounds wrapped in leaves, walking many miles from grasslands through blistering sand, and escaping ravenous crocodiles while crossing rivers to reach safety. The author includes interviews and a glossary that further explain how the story came to be written. This book puts into perspective the peace and educational opportunities that readers enjoy. Mary Popham, Dec. 19/10

PAPERBACK PRINCESSES (Young Adult Book Review Site)  “A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk is a thought provoking and heart-wrenching book made all the more poignant when you realise that, although the book is fiction, it is in fact based on a true story. Jacob is one of the ‘Lost Boys of Sudan’, who spent his formative years, from the age of 7, wandering across the wilderness and living in refugee camps, guided only by the memory of his mother.

Jacob’s strength of character is almost unfathomable. His struggles and hardships seem insurmountable, but against all odds he survives – one of only a few. His unwavering ambition to get to school and his memory of his mother is what keeps him going. This isn’t a book about war. It’s a book about what happens to innocents affected by war.

Ms Coates has told a story that more people should be aware of and has written it in a way that manages to keep hope alive, through unbelievable adversity. Think about our lives from the age of 7 onwards, then read this book. You probably won’t want to – but you should!”

GARY L. BLACKWOOD (The Shakespeare Stealer, Wild Timothy, Shakespeare’s Apprentice and others)
“It’s always a risk for authors, setting a novel in a place and a culture that’s outside their own experience.  But Jan Coates has succeeded wonderfully with A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk.  She gives the reader an uncomfortably vivid sense of what it must be like to lose one’s home and family, to wander aimlessly through a bleak and blasted landscape, in constant danger of starving or being shot.  Such desperate circumstances could have led her young protagonist, Jacob, to become bitter, to resort to violence himself.  And, working with such material, Coates could have written a very dark and despairing sort of book.  But both the author and her characters rise above the situation and find in it an unexpected wealth of humour and humanity and hope.”

RAINBOWS IN THE DARK (2005)

“A visual delight… Respectfully presents disability as part of diversity. Joanna’s vocation and presence the second-hand shop defy stereotypes. Their conversation about Joanna’s guide dog is handled particularly well. There are few characters with blindness in children’s literature, and the talented, generous, child-friendly Joanna is a welcome addition.”  ForeWord Magazine

“A delightful choice for young readers… Coates’ tale is neither too sweet nor too preachy. It is just the sort of book to help youngsters learn what it means to have a physical challenge.”

– Halifax Chronicle-Herald

“The dialogue is sure, the artwork expressive and sensitive and the story is a lovely one. New friends, a surprise concert, and the assurance that blindness does not have to deter a person from great accomplishment and satisfaction with life as she leads it.”  Brandon Sun

“Jan Coates gives her young readers a taste of what it is like to be blind; however, she does so in a lovely and up-beat manner. Illustrator Alice Priestley captures each moment of the story with colourful, cheerful illustrations. Rainbows in the Dark is a heart-warming read aloud and would make a nice addition to public library and elementary school library collections. Recommended.”

– CM Magazine

“The book will help to educate young children about the basics of guide dogs and blindness. Author Jan Coates brings a positive and heartwarming message to children.”

-Calgary’s Child

“This powerful account of friendship and acceptance … is a pleasure to read.”

– Sarah’s Stars

“A heart-warming tale… Alice Priestley’s pencil illustrations capture the Technicolour magic of this picture book.”

– Atlantic Books Today

Ages 8 and under  ISBN: 1-896764-95-9   8 ½”x 8 ½”  24 p.  hardcover with color illus.

$14.95 CDN/$11.95US  Sept 2005CDN/Feb 2006US