This oversized, hardcover is a beautiful book of koala photographs. It features text by editor Joanne Ehrich; a foreword by Deborah Tabart, executive director of the Australian Koala Foundation; and an afterword by Jack Hanna, America's favorite television naturalist and host of the Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures television series. This book is an international project with 315 photographs by 120 photographers from 24 countries. It features carefully selected camera sequences that make the animals come alive, revealing a world rich with surprises. The photographs are arranged within sections that uncover different aspects of this marsupial. Koalas conveys insights about this phenomenal Australian native with resplendent visuals, and it deserves a place on the bookshelves of koala and nature lovers alike.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Koalas, along with their kin the kangaroos, are icons for the continent of Australia. These cuddly, teddy bear-like marsupials, while instantly recognizable, are little known outside of their natural habitat. Editor Ehrich hopes to rectify this deficiency in her new collection of koala photographs taken by more than 100 photographers. Koalas are so inherently photogenic that many of the photos have a postcard or poster quality to them, but closer examination reveals details of the animals' daily lives. A grouping on the life cycle includes a photo of a tiny joey ensconced in its mother's pouch, along with numerous images of mothers cuddling their offspring. A view of koala characteristics focuses on their physical attributes, including the two-thumbed hand and grasping foot, large hairy ears, and bare nose. Feeding is documented in many amusing photos of the animals munching on eucalyptus, their only food. Although the illustrations sell the book, there are nice short essays that tie each section together. This is the best collection of koala images available and will find a ready audience. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
Joanne Ehrich lives in San Mateo, California, where she works as a commercial designer and illustrator. She has attended photography trade school and holds a University degree in printmaking. Joanne has created numerous etchings, lithographs, and monotype prints, as well as painting of animals and landscapes. Deborah Tabart is the Executive Director of the Australian Koala Foundation. Under her guidance the Australian Koala Foundation has grown into an internationally recognized scientific organization winning a prestigious Computerworld Smithsonian Medal for excellence in mapping koala habitat. Jack Hanna, popular host of the hit TV series, “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures” and author of several books, is one of the United States’ most beloved naturalists and adventurers. He actively supports conservation programs worldwide through his many national media appearances, his television series, and position as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. He is a regular guest on shows including “Good Morning America,” “Larry King Live,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Hollywood Squares,” and “The Maury Povich Show.”
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The koala stare melts your heart,
By John L. Hoh Jr. "Author and Theologian" (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity (Hardcover)
Foreword by Deborah Tabart, Afterword by Jack Hanna
In America we have come to see the koala (commonly called a koala bear) as a cute, fluffy bear found in Australia. We see it as quintessentially Australian. But the koala, technically speaking, is not a bear. As it has a pouch for its young it is technically of the marsupial family. Most marsupials are found in Australia, a good number in South America, and the Virginia opossum the only marsupial found in North America. Usually we think of kangaroos, another Australian animal, when we think of marsupials. The koala also seems to be a laid-back, relaxed animal. It photographs well because it doesn't scare easily. Is this because the koala had no natural enemies? Of course it's trusting nature dooms them today-many Australians have not seen a koala in the wild. This book is primarily a photo book featuring koalas. Brief text tells us about the koala, it's land, and it's habitat. There are three types of koalas in Australia and each is described with photos so the reader can tell the difference as they are pointed out in the book. In addition is a brief history of the koala and its habits. The enigma that is the koala is even found among the aborigines in Australia. The myths of the aborigines is filled with koala references-I imagine if these stories were gathered in a book you would have a "koala coda." Since koalas rarely drink any water at all, aboriginal folklore suggested that koalas have a knack for stealing water. This delightful and colorful book brings to our attention the need to preserve the koala for future generations. With scintillating photos and crisp text the reader will come away with a greater appreciation og these serene animals--and a sense of wanting to do what's right to save these precious beings. With a gaze that only a koala can give, how can you not have it in your heart to buy this delightful book and enjoy the many pictures and brief descriptions of the cuddly koala?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Take a trip into the Zen-world of koalas...,
This review is from: Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity (Hardcover)
As I was looking through "Moving Portraits of Serenity", it dawned on me that these are not simply koala photographs, as wonderful as they are. Rather, these koalas give us a glimpse into our own humanity, reminding us of what is good in the world and what we'd like to strive for in ourselves. Perhaps it's because they look to be part teddy bear and part monkey-a Zen-like blend of peace and playfulness. It is as if they've discovered the secret to happiness. Just looking at them can be enough to give us hope in our own lives and bring calm to our day, if only for the moment.
We've all seen koalas before, whether at the zoo or in other pictures, but these exquisite photographs bring these irresistible animals very much to life. Each page is another step inside the koala's hidden world. And guided by stories throughout this book, we may even surprise ourselves at how quickly we are drawn into this Australian adventure. This is something we cannot experience at the zoo. But more importantly, the koalas in this photographic journey may surprise us that, no matter how hurried or complicated our lives are, we still have the capacity to care about simpler things. These stirring pictures remind us again that the world is larger than our own lives and that we have a responsibility to safeguard nature and its inhabitants. If we lose that basic capacity to care, not only might the koala lose its home, but we also lose a bit of our souls. Patrick Lin, Ph.D. Director, The Nanoethics Group
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome!,
By
This review is from: Koalas: Moving Portraits of Serenity (Hardcover)
Rebeccasreads highly recommends KOALAS: MOVING PORTRAITS OF SERENITY as a rare & exquisite addition to your coffee table collection.
In easily read narratives, dotted among huge & fascinating portraits of these cuddly critters, are introductions to the three types of Australian Koalas, their habits & life cycles both in the wild & captivity, & their endangered habitats. KOALAS: MOVING PORTRAITS OF SERENITY is a truly breathtaking book of photography & information your family will treasure for generations.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
