How It Was With Dooms: A True Story from Africa [Hardcover]

Carol Cawthra Hopcraft (Author, Illustrator), Xan Hopcraft (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Full-color photographs and a simple text present an extraordinary personal portrait of a wild African cheetah named Dooms and the human family with whom he chose to make his home.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5. In this photo-essay, 12-year-old Xan Hopcraft recounts the life of Dooms, a cheetah who lived on the Hopcrafts' game ranch in Kenya until Xan was 7. Although readers will learn some facts about cheetahs, Dooms seems more like an overgrown pet than a wild animal. The inclusion of wildlife photographer Carol Hopcraft's pictures from the family album reinforces this perception. The family's close relationship with Dooms is apparent, and his death affected his human companions deeply. Yet Xan's comments often seem too reflective and philosophical for someone so young, and he sometimes ascribes human emotions and attitudes to the big cat. The prevailing sense of Dooms as an exotic pet is reinforced by the book's ending, when the veterinarian brings a baby cheetah for the family to raise after Dooms's death. A possible purchase for those interested in interactions between human and unusual animals but hardly an informative or representative study of life in the wild.?Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2^-4. Following the death of their beloved pet, 12-year-old Xan and his mother, Carol, decided to put together a scrapbook of memories about Dooms, the family's cheetah. Abandoned as a baby, Dooms came to live with the Hopcrafts on their wildlife ranch near Nairobi, Kenya. Although treated as a pet, Dooms also spent part of his time hunting in the wild. The story, dictated by Xan and transcribed by his mother, comes across as simple and direct, though some of the conversational fragments may bother some readers. The illustrations, a combination of family photos (the elder Hopcraft is a wildlife photographer by profession) and Xan's drawings, show the amazing landscape and wildlife of Africa as well as the gentle interaction of Dooms with family members. Although there are no cautions offered about the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets, Dooms is sure to charm animal lovers everywhere. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689810911
• ISBN-13: 978-0689810916
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,514,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for animal lovers of any age., November 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How It Was With Dooms: A True Story from Africa (Hardcover)

I heard about this book on National Public Radio some time ago and bought it for my 7-year-old nephew. I had a hard time giving it up. The story is told from the boy's perspective, which can get a little self-conscious. But the text and photos tell an incredible story of a family's relationship and affection for a marvelous animal few of us will ever be able to get this close to. It's now one of my nephew's favorite books .... and mine, too.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible story incredible pictures, July 24, 2006

By 

Lisa Jackson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How it Was With Dooms: A True Story from Africa (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

My son wanted this book when he heard about it at a book fair at school. It is an incredible book. We love the way it is written from a little boys perspective (Xan was 10 when the book was written.) We recently had the opportunity to meet Carol Hopcraft and her husband when they came to our city. Dooms was not really a pet - he was free to go as he liked - but he did not ever leave them. He hunted - he was not feed like a pet once he reached maturity. Shallah, his successor, did the same. I am sure their current cheetah does it as well. The book is heartwarming and is written with the love and respect they had for Dooms. This is even more evident when they talk about their life with Dooms. They, more than most of us, understand that cheetahs are wild animals. This book is not meant to tote the benefits of have a pet cheetah - it is book about the bond between humans and animals.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Kids or Adults, July 11, 2006

By 

Dr. Zauis (Victoria B.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How it Was With Dooms: A True Story from Africa (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

Why is it that "kids" books are sometimes so much more interesting than Adult books? As if upon reaching adulthood we some how lose interest in animals. Well, perhaps I'm a kid at heart. I found this a great book. This is a very touching story about a family's relationship with an adopted Cheetah Cub. The story is simple yet full of truth and insight. For me, it highlights the need to see animals as dignified creatures in need of our compassion and protection. This is a book that will hopefully send an important message to young readers.Regardless of whether Cheetahs should be or should not be, or were or were not domesticated, this is a cool book with neat photos and I highly recommend it.