Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again [Hardcover]

Juliana Hatkoff (Author), Isabella Hatkoff (Author), Craig Hatkoff (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The original hardcover upon which the major motion picture is based on!

When Winter was a baby, she was rescued from a crab trap, her tail seriously damaged, and rushed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Winter survived, but eventually her tail fell off. Then Winter received a prosthetic tail. It was very challenging but now Winter is thriving and using her new tail with great command. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to visit Winter who has become an inspiration to adults and children alike, especially to children who are amputees themselves. And now Winter's story is soon to be a major motion picture starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.!

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Hatkoff and his daughters continue their nonfiction series (Owen & Mzee, 2006; Knut, 2007) highlighting animals that overcome adversity. Here they follow a baby Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin that lost her tail after becoming entangled in a crab trap. Rescued by Florida wildlife conservationists, she was nursed back to health and later fitted with an artificial tail. The main narrative is informal and conversational, well suited to a younger audience. Readers learn about Winter’s improvised, tail-free swimming techniques and how trainers helped her to adjust to the new device. An afterword provides further information about the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (where Winter lives), dolphins and their training, and Kevin Carroll, whose company developed the prosthetic tail. Most of the photographs are crisp and clear, depicting Winter’s dramatic rescue and several training routines. Designed for a dual audience (animal lovers and humans who have overcome physical adversity), this will make an inspirational choice for browsers. For another look at dolphins in captivity, point readers to Twig C. George’s A Dolphin Named Bob (1996). Grades 1-3. --Kay Weisman

Review

Praise for Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again

“Readers will be most drawn to Winter's resilience and the dedication and ingenuity of those helping her.” – Publishers Weekly

“The story offers an important message of hope, friendship and universal acceptance.” – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545123356
• ISBN-13: 978-0545123358
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 10.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcoming Adversity, September 27, 2009

By 

a gentle sound (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again (Hardcover)

I've realized that this series is based in stories about resiliency or overcoming adversity as told through animal stories. Why it took several books for me to get it, don't know. But each has shown some of the critical features in the recovery from what are devastating blows, like losing family, re-location, injury, and how adaptation has gone on- thanks to the intervention of a team of concerned people.

Winter is a dolphin that loses her tail. She's a young baby also losing family when her tail gets entwined in ropes. People see her struggle and respond, first a fisherman, and he works to save her, but her tail isn't so lucky. She's named Winter for the season. Eventually due to broadcasting her story from her rescue another person works to develop a prosthesis tail. Winter then learns within her life and these pages to survive using this tail.

It's a really good story especially for children learning to overcome obstacles as a part of what they need to do. Of course she makes a friend and she appears to have a fulfilling life.

The series has been a very good one for inclusion in the teaching. I would definitely recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kevin Carroll, the prosthetic designer, is working wonders...., October 15, 2009

By 

M. L. Johnson (Sarasota, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again (Hardcover)

Wonderful heartwarming uplifting book of hope and encouragement for any of life's challenges that we face. The Hatkoff authors are creating a series of beautiful stories that have helped many many children and adults face issues that are so difficult. This is also very educational in the material presented.

It is the story of how Kevin Carroll who designed Winter's Tale worked miracles with Winter as he does with human's and their prosthetics all over the world. He is presently working on Chrissie, a beautiful sandhill crane (almost 50" tall bird) who lost her lower leg on a golf course. Chrissie lives at Save Our Seabirds ([...]). in Sarasota, Florida which is only an hour away from Winter's home in Clearwater, Florida! She is now going through the fittings that Winter did for her tail! She was named "Chrissie" short for Christmas because that was the first day she strutted in her initial prosthetic!

True stories of hope are excellent gifts for those overcoming adversities in their lives. This little girl dolphin has definitely done that!

The writing and stunning photography are beautiful and simple but so powerful in their message. All ages from very young to adult will enjoy this story of the people surrounding this adorable dolphin who is now thriving in her own new home. She just celebrated her 5th birthday and is doing great --learning new tricks and skills all the time. Encouragement galore for us all!!


Don't hesitate!! Definitely buy the book today for yourself and grab a copy for a big or little friend. You won't be disappointed. A great children's or adult's non-fiction book to add to any and all collections.

Also, when in Florida, definitely come visit Winter AND Chrissie! They'd love to see you!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids were fascinated..., October 13, 2009

By 

NYC Mom (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again (Hardcover)

My two girls, 5 & 8 were fascinated by the story and loved the photographs. It was amazing how much they connected emotionally with Winter -- and now they want to visit her in Florida! We checked out the website and also had fun playing games and seeing more pictures. I would definitely recommend this book.