by Moira Rose Donohue
112 pages; ages 7-10 years
National Geographic, 2015
This book features stories about one kangaroo, two dogs, and three pigs. Lulu the kangaroo was a rescue animal. There are great descriptions of how her adoptive family raised her from a cat-sized joey to an adult. They made Lulu a pouch, figured out how to feed her, and helped her regain strength. Later, they encouraged her to go free, but she stayed close to the family. Good thing, too - because she ends up saving someone's life.
Maggie and Pilot were two labs: one black, one blonde. They played chase, fetched balls, and served as mentors for young pups in training to be guide dogs. Later, when Maggie went blind, Pilot acted as her guide, sticking close and nudging her out of trouble.
The last section tells stories of three not-so-little pigs who were brave and strong and helped people out of predicaments. One even received a gold medal from the ASPCA for saving her human companion's life.
Salted in with the tales of animal bravery are sidebars and fact-boxes about the animals themselves. We learn about marsupials and why tails are important to kangaroos. There's information about guide dogs and therapy dogs, and pig social life. Did you know pigs can make over 20 different oinks, grunts, and squeals? And that pig mamas sing to their piglets? Review copy provided by publisher.
If you're looking for a fun companion book that's fiction, try this one:
Sparky and Tidbit
by Kathryn O. Galbraith; illus by Gerald Kelley
40 pages; ages 6-8
Simon Spotlight, 2015
On Sparky's birthday he got just what he always wanted: a K-9 cap, a K-9 collar, and a shiny K-9 badge. Now he can be a hero. But what would a "real" hero do? His first attempts fall through, and then he hears cries of a puppy in distress.
Is it mean cats? A stolen bone? Cranky skunks? No, sighs the pup named Tidbit. It's a book. He can't read it. What's a hero to do? Sparky helps Tidbit through a few pages of the book - just this once, he says. But the young pup is in need, and Sparky has a big heart, and before he knows it he is a "reading" dog.
This is a "Ready to Read" book with language simple enough for early readers, and a fun story that will keep them turning to the next chapter. It's a great choice for reluctant readers who love dogs. It's also a great story for therapy dogs to share with their reading buddies. Review copy provided by Blue Slip Media.
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You had me at rescue! Love all these brave animal stories!
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