Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I did a term paper on dolphins in grade school. As a disabled person myself, I can relate to Winter having to cope with a disability that she didn't ask for. In a day when we see, hear and read about humans destroying animals and/or their habitat, it's nice to read about the caring humans who helped Winter learn to swim again.

This is a great story about a dolphin who was missing its tail fin and how caregivers managed to have a new one made. The story is very simple, written for mainly children. I was kind of hoping for a little more technical information, but the book was a wonderful read.

This book is everything that I thought and hoped it would be. It is poignant as it touches your heart in every aspect--taking us from the initial rescue through to a happy ending. I am a former teacher and I can see its value in reaching out to children and drawing them into the story--helping them to experience their own feelings while relating to Little Winter. As an introduction to the precarious world of innocent animals and their vulnerabilities, the book also shows how mankind can and does help. The pictures of all the different loving volunteers who pitch in wholeheartedly to help Winter are unforgettable. I have a few grandnieces and nephews who will find this true story every bit as wonderful a testament to good, caring people and sweet animals--as I do. I bought this book after I saw on PBS a brief mention of Winter's story. I decided to research it here on Amazon and learned enough that I went through with the purchase. It is everything I'd hoped it would be.

A sucker for all of God's helpless creatures, when I heard about Winter's Tail, I decided to pick this book up from the library. It was such a touching story. For those of you who have not heard about this amazingly resilient dolphin, here is what actually happened.

On December 10, 2005 a baby dolphin, about 2-3 months old was spotted in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida with lobster trap ropes wrapped around it's tail and mouth. The fisherman who helped rescue the dolphin, later named "Winter" was Jim Savage. Realizing that the injuries to the creature were serious, he contacted fish and wildlife conservationists who responded and took the frightened, injured dolphin on a (3) hour journey to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to mend. Although, the dolphin did lose her tail, she was left with a stump which was later fitted with a prosthetic sleeve and tail enabling her to swim again. The last report I read indicated that Winter (4) years later is still thriving in her closely monitored environment. If you are ever in the Clearwater, FL area, you can visit Winter at the Aquarium.

The authors of this wonderful inspirational and beautifully illustrated book are Craig Hatkoff and his daughters Julianna and Isabella. RECOMMENDED - 4.5/5 stars

The ropes from the crab trap quickly ensnared the young dolphin. It was useless to struggle because there was no escaping the treacherous situation, but Jim Savage, a fisherman, spotted her and quickly came to her aid. Her tail was badly mangled and if he did not call for assistance there would be no chance for survival. A few hours later, Winter, as she was soon named was heading to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It was December 10, 2005 and it was just the start of Winter's struggle to survive. She was estimated to be "only two or three months old," but because she struggled, the many people dedicated to helping her thought she "still had the heart and energy to try to protect herself."

Winter's tail quickly deteriorated and fell off. The question was, would she be able to survive without it? It became a `round the clock vigil to keep her blowhole above the water so she wouldn't drown. Because she was so young, feeding her was problematic. She couldn't eat fish, her mother was not in place to nurse her . . . how and what would they feed her? Survival was a key issue, but there would be many hurdles for her to jump. She would be disabled at best, but there would be a man looking at her from afar. Kevin Carroll had an idea that might enable this little dolphin to swim again. Would he be able help her?

This heartwarming story will thrill not only the dolphin lover, but inspire young and old alike. I had never heard of Winter, but was thoroughly captivated by her and the many people who were dedicated to her survival efforts. This story was documented by photographs from her struggle in Mosquito Lagoon to her present home at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This story is aimed at a younger audience, but will appeal to readers of all ages. In the back of the book is a snippet about her journey, information about the aquarium, information about dolphins in general, how they are trained and more information about Kevin Carroll. This is one mesmerizing story you won't want to pass up!

The Hatkoffs' Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship was a popular choice for school libraries with its theme of survival and friendship between two unlikely companions, a baby hippo and a giant tortoise.

Like Owen the hippo, Winter the baby dolphin, was also in distress when she was found, entangled in the ropes of a crab trap. Although she was rescued and well cared for, Winter eventually lost her tail because of her injuries. Kevin Carroll and the experts from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics worked to design a prosthesis for Winter so she could swim properly and avoid damage to her backbone. The need for the prosthesis was medical, for Winter's health--not for appearance. I appreciated that this point was emphasized

Winter has generated a great deal of interest among children and veterans with prostheses and other medical devices. Whether the need for these devices is the result of accident, illness or a grievous war injury, coping with the aftermath can be challenging and emotionally difficult.

There is reassurance in a story of adults who will go to extraordinary lengths to care for these animals. A child can see themselves in both roles, the child needing help and the kind and caring expert who provides it.

I was interested in reviewing this title because of my library "dolphin girls." Every year there are one or two girls who want to read and reread every nonfiction book in the school library on dolphins. This book is an excellent choice for them. It includes facts and information about these mammals, their physiology, their care, socialization and training.

The story is well reported and there is no anthropomorphizing of the dolphin. In fact, Hatkoff emphasizes that humans cannot know what Winter is thinking. Winter's story is well documented with full color photos including some very interesting photographs of the prosthetic tail.

Additional background on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Kevin Carroll and Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics is included. Interestingly, Hanger was founded in 1861, during the American Civil War.

The Hatkoffs have found a nice publishing niche here with true stories of animal rescue.

Winter's Tail is a great story for kids and adults. It's an extraordinary tale of survival, and Winter will definitely touch your heart. The story flows well, and the enclosed photographs chronicle Winter's journey from her discovery to her life today. It's a really informative title with a lot of information conveyed in a pleasing format, with such a good amount of text and pictures, the reader is immediately drawn into Winter's story. I especially enjoyed the pictures of Winter's birthday party, Winter with her trainers, and the crowds that she draws.

The back pages include information about her new home, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, dolphins, how dolphins are "trained," and Kevin Carroll.