One of America's favorite nature writers for children tells of ten outstanding animals who have become beloved because of unusual feats of bravery, intelligence, or perseverance. With beautiful full-color portraits of each animal and black-and-white border illustrations, this book celebrates some amazing animals.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Newbery Medalist George strikes just the right note of respect and appreciation in this unsentimental collection of profiles of animals "who became beloved in their own right." She describes Punxsutawney Phil, the "king of Groundhog Day"; Smokey Bear, the cub that became a national symbol; and Sugar, a cat that traveled 1500 miles to find her owners. Among the most fascinating characters here is Koko, a gorilla that learned to communicate in American Sign Language: "When asked the color of her white towel for a boring umpteenth time, she signed 'red.' When asked twice again, she replied 'red,' then carefully picked a tiny speck of red lint off her towel. She chuckled, and again said 'red.' " The lively writing will likely lead to use of the bibliography provided. Merrill--an animal portraitist making her children's book debut--favors a realistic but lush style, free of artifice, confident in the inherent beauty of the subjects. Pure delight for animal lovers. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-5-An uneven potpourri of 10 rather abrupt narratives about a variety of memorable animals, ranging from the sled dog, Balto, who won international fame in 1925 for leading the final laps in a life-saving mission, to a trio of gray whales trapped by Alaskan ice in 1988. Also included are a cat who followed her owners 1,500 miles to their new home; Smokey Bear; a pair of eagles; an elusive mustang; Meriwether Lewis's dog; a blind workhorse; Koko, the gorilla who speaks sign language; and the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. While some of these creatures truly warm the heart with their pluck, diligence, and intelligence, most of the stories are so tightly encapsulated they leave readers dissatisfied. They do not live up to George's brief but emphatic preface (or to her many other fine titles). The handsome oil paintings are quite pleasing and are accompanied by a scattering of black-and-white sketches. In all, the book feels like polished notes for a more ambitious work.
Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Jean Craighead George was born in a family of naturalists. Her father, mother, brothers, aunts and uncles were students of nature. On weekends they camped in the woods near their Washington, D.C. home, climbed trees to study owls, gathered edible plants and made fish hooks from twigs. Her first pet was a turkey vulture. In third grade she began writing and hasn't stopped yet. She has written over 100 books.Her book, Julie of the Wolves won the prestigious Newbery Medal, the American Library Association's award for the most distinguished contribution to literature for children, l973. My Side of the Mountain, the story of a boy and a falcon surviving on a mountain together, was a 1960 Newbery Honor Book. She has also received 20 other awards.She attended Penn State University graduating with a degree in Science and Literature. In the 1940s she was a reporter for The Washington Post and a member of the White House Press Corps. After her children were born she returned to her love of nature and brought owls, robins, mink, sea gulls, tarantulas - 173 wild animals into their home and backyard. These became characters in her books and, although always free to go, they would stay with the family until the sun changed their behavior and they migrated or went off to seek partners of their own kind.When her children, Twig, Craig and Luke, were old enough to carry their own backpacks, they all went to the animals. They climbed mountains, canoed rivers, hiked deserts. Her children learned about nature and Jean came home and to write books. Craig and Luke are now environmental scientists and Twig writes children's books, too.One summer Jean learned that the wolves were friendly, lived in a well-run society and communicated with each other in wolf talk -- sound, sight, posture, scent and coloration. Excited to learn more, she took Luke and went to the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory in Barrow, Alaska, where scientists were studying this remarkable animal. She even talked to the wolves in their own language. With that Julie of the Wolves was born. A little girl walking on the vast lonesome tundra outside Barrow, and a magnificent alpha male wolf, leader of a pack in Denali National Park were the inspiration for the characters in the book. Years later, after many requests from her readers, she wrote the sequels, Julie and Julie's Wolf Pack.She is still traveling and coming home to write. In the last decade she has added two beautiful new dimensions to her words beautiful full-color picture book art by Wendell Minor and others and - music. Jean is collaborating with award-winning composer, Chris Kubie to bring the sounds of nature to her words.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great animal stories for all ages,
By Isabel Harding (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts (Hardcover)
From Jean Craighead George, the Newbery Medalist and renowned nature writer, comes a collection of heroic and uplifting animal stories. This author of more than eighty books shares her love and awe of our planet's creatures in this unique book. Some of the stories are familiar--like that of Balto, the courageous sled dog, the most famous of all canine heroes, or Koko, the gorilla who uses sign language, teaching us more about animal intelligence and the gentleness of her species. Other stories bring some not-so-famous animals to life, such as the the Pacing White Mustang--"fastest horse in the West"--and the Hemlock Pair, two eagles who successfully raised several broods of young even when threatened by extinction. Each story is short, but beautifully written, and conveys the message that all of our animals are special, no matter what the species, or the deed. Other animals included in the book are Punxsutawney Phil, the rodent who rules on February 2; Smokey Bear, a real bear who told us in his own way that "only you can prevent forest fires"; Scannon, a great Newfoundland who was an important scout on the Lewis and Clark Expedition; three gray whales who managed to stay alive when trapped in Arctic sea ice; Sugar, a cat who made an incredible 1500-mile journey to find her family; and Blind Tom, a blind workhorse who helped to complete the first transcontinental railroad more than 100 years ago. Each story is graced with fine writing and beautiful paintings and drawings by Christine Herman Merrill. This is a collection special because of its loyalty to the dedicated animals who inspired it. This edition of the book is out-of-print, but recently it was made into a paperback children's chapter book called INCREDIBLE ANIMAL ADVENTURES, which does not carry as much beauty and dignity as this hardcover version. Also read Ms. George's other stories featuring remarkable animals--THERE'S AN OWL IN THE SHOWER, which is also illustrated by Merrill; THE TARANTULA IN MY PURSE AND 172 OTHER WILD PETS, Ms. George's autobiographical portrayal of the many animals she has known in the past; and her classic young adult novels JULIE OF THE WOLVES and MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, which each have two sequels.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interdependence of Species,
This review is from: Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts (Paperback)
This short book is a delight to read, made even more enjoyable by the lovely illustrations. In ten mini chapters author JCG presents heart-warming true stories about various animals in America: dogs, horses, cat, gorilla, eagles, whales, a bear cub and even a groundhog. She subtly points out that humans have been given Dominion over the animals of the earth, but not Domination. She reminds us that we need animals in our journey through life, just as much as they need us. We must prove a responsible civilization by striving to protect endangered species, help wild creatures in peril, and to appreciate all that our pets and patiently laboring four-footed friends do for us. Charming and enlightening for kids of all ages.
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