Mammals Books

What a special book this is! Written by a very special lady. Who had a very special husband. And they lived in a very special place. And they came across a very, very special deer which began their four year period of caring for wonderful Peter Whitetail and his progeny. And whatever wild creature came to them in need.

The reader will know what it is like to live in 30 degree below zero winters on the border lake between the U.S. and Canada and the struggle of wildlife to survive in such severe conditions. The reader will know what it is like when outlaw hunters gun tame deer and bear down for sport, leaving the humans who loved them in despair. And the reader will know what it is like for the animals to live in constant fear of and alert for predators and, as the deers age, to become more prone to know defeat.

But above all, one has the marvelous experience of getting to know Peter, Mama, a wonderful black bear whose life is cut very short by man, and a host of our forest friends.

Helen Hoover, as one reviewer points out, was a woman who was developed on the right and the left side of her brain. A superb intellect was accompanied by a magnanimous heart, by deep feminine feeling values, intuitive grace, and the courage at times to bear the almost unendurable. Her husband was a marvel too. Devoted and dedicated, and very kind. His illustrations are terrific and really capture the mystery and sternness and wonder of the setting and its inhabitants. That they picked up from city life and faced their almost impossible dream successfully is awesome.

As for Ms. Hoover's prose, she was a highly gifted writer but, more than that, at times she reaches the heighth (or perhaps I should say depth) of genuine and beautiful poetic prose. I believe, had she had a bent to do so, she could have been as well a highly accomplished poet.

This book is a great adventure story. It is Ms. Hoover's gift to humanity.

The kind of story that must be pulled off the shelf and reread again and again.

When a injured deer finds its way to the Hoover's cottage, they didn't realize that in helping him, they'd find a friend. Peter, as the deer is named, comes back season after season, bringing other deer with him. The Hoovers' observations and personal narrative is a touching tribute to this gentle hearted deer.

I was enriched by reading this lovely book, and found it also raised a lot of questions about man's relationship ( and duties) to the wildlife surrounding his home. Hoover's tale was clear eyed and a definite antidote to all the Disneyesque sappy forest characters we are bombarded with. Life was hard for all in the northwoods, and, as always, the "laws of nature" seem awfully harsh. But the intelligent, loving relationships depicted in the book make it more bearable.

I hadn't read this book in a few years and when I saw it again on my shelf I remembered it was a great book to read in the summer. The story is a good one, esp. if you read it in partnership with Hoover's other book about her move to the woods, The Years of the Forest, and tells the story of how she and her husband moved to the wilds of Minnesota in middle-age and what (and who) they found there. The Gift of the Deer introduces us to Peter, Mama, Pretty, Friendly, and all the others who live in Hoover's "neighborhood" deep in the North Woods.
Oh - and why is it great to read in the summer? Because her stories about the bone chilling cold of Minnesota winters are just right to balance the August heat and humidity!

Helen Hoover's beautifully vivid prose makes this memoir read like a fantasy piece. I felt I was sharing the precious moments that she and her husband Ade spent with the wild whitetail deer family who visited them at their log cabin deep in the Minnesota woods. Helen's richly descriptive style of writing draws you into their enchanting lifestyle, filled with peace, and the quiet mystery of virgin forests. The area around their cabin became a safe haven for a groundhog who became a regular houseguest, squirrels who nibbled graham crackers from Helen's hands, chipmunks, ermine, owls, beautiful birds of all kinds,and even a bobcat and a lynx.This is more than just a story about wild animals. It is a tribute to Peter, the magnificent whitetail buck who taught them so much about the dignity and majesty of wild things, and enriched their lives with his noble and gentle ways.This book is a treasure of a journey into some of the most peaceful, delightful, and rewarding places that a nature lover can go without leaving their home. I hated to see it end.

my 2 year old loves this book. she knows it almost by heart. very fun to read!

My daughters (3 and 4) LOVE this book and so do I. It has been one of our favorites for over a year. We also like others by this author.

My 18 month old daughter and I first heard this book at Story Time in the Library and we checked it out that day. We fell in love with it and I had to purchase it immediately to add to our collection. My daughter LOVES the sound effects and begs to have me read the "dancing" book to her. The book just flows and is so much fun to read, and the pictures adorable and brightly colored. This has become one of our favorite books!

I love this book! The illustrations are beautiful and cheerful. The rhyming text is fun, and the message is positive.

My two year old wanted this book read every night for almost a month. By the third or fourth time she realized that there was a lady bug on each set of two pages. She had to make sure she found the lady bug with each turn of the page.

I traveled this same B.C. wilderness area as a child in 1967 with my family. So sad to say people like Eugene Charley were the rule more than the exception. Greg was isolated in his incredible knowledge of the wolf; he was also gifted by the friendship of many wolves. He put himself at great risk of freezing or injury, living through unforgiving winter and traveling unmapped territory, all to understand and honor Nahani and her pack. This book is one of a kind, sharing a spiritual bond like no other. Nahani is still here, every time I see a rainbow I feel her spirit. I was deeply sad to read in one of the reviews about people who killed a wolf because they believed it was stalking them. What they did was kill a lonely wolf who probably saw them as a pack and followed them because it wanted them to welcome it into their pack. If you like wolves and their cousins, you will enjoy: Wolves at Our Door : The Extraordinary Story of the Couple Who Lived with Wolves and James Herriot's Dog Stories: Warm And Wonderful Stories About The Animals Herriot Loves Best

Excellent book. Made me have my own opinion when someone told me she was being stalked by a wolf. I felt very bad that they shot it. Might not have had the same feelings before reading this book.

Just finished reading this and it is truly the most powerful factual story I have ever read. It has a similar thread to a fiction novel by another Native American author, Ghost in the Rainbow. There is a ghost wolf Indian spirit in that story, and I couldn't read this story without referring back to that one. The Native Americans know something about wolves, and this book touches upon that something...are wolves spirit creatures? I am of the opinion, because of these two books, to believe wolves are a lot more than animals. I can only encourage people to read this story. You will never be the same.

There are three non-religious books I read and re-read constantly. "In the Shadow of a Rainbow" is one of them. Man and wolf become alive before our eyes, with unexpected depth and dimension, as does the land of BC itself - and my life has become the richer.

I despair of ever seeing this story done properly on film, but there is one person who could do it justice - Hayao Miyazaki, master storyteller from Japan, known the US for "Totoro," "Kiki's Delivery Service," and "Princess Mononoke." (He could also do a worthy animated "Diary of Anne Frank." With the eye and heart of a spiritual magician, and artist's touch to match, I wait for him to bring Nahani alive on the screen. In the meantime, I'll just have to keep reading the book itself...

I have read many wolf books, but this one brings a feeling of bondage between Man and Wolf. But the story is not goody-goody. There are bounty hunters and trappers as there are in real life. This book refers to a map in the beginning of the book a lot, but you can manage to do without it, its not vital. Though this is a slightly shorter book it still has all the action and emotions as if you were really there. It is a really good buy and would recomend it to any wolf or animal lover.

I was thrilled to find that the story of Modac has been written as a children's picture book. I read the book Modac to my fifth grade class and they sat enraptured. My small grandchildren listen just as intently to the picture book.When they are older, I'll read Modoc aloud to them too. There are many lessons woven in this story. The love between a boy and an elephant, courage, faith, perseverance, and keeping a promise. I promise you won't be disappointed when you choose this book.

Fabulous account of a true story interpreted from the novel, "Modoc", for children of all ages with beautiful illustrations and a condensed but still touching story.

This story alone is incredible. Add the beautiful illustrations, and you have a truly wonderful book! EXCELLENT! I can't say enough good things about it. Everyone should read this story! Highly recommended!

I just read this for the first time yesterday with my daughter.
This is an amazing story with beautiful illustrations by Ted Lewin.
A wonderful book!

This was a wonderful "trip" through the lives of the two main characters. It is so awesome, you have trouble believing everything that happens to both of them on their life journey. You will not be able to put this book down. My husband, who hardly ever reads, would not put it down until he was finished. It brought tears to his and my eyes. Can't say enough.

Unique perspective of city-dweller's experiences with visiting squirrels over a number of years. Well worth a read.

This book is such a gem, easily one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's informative, funny, and written with a very sensitive eye. You really do get to know (and love) each of the memorable characters that visited the author over the years. All the while, you learn a lot of fascinating things about squirrels and how they behave.

I was a little worried when I ordered the book that the author might turn out to be a little too eccentric... you know, a strange "squirrel lady," but she's not at all like that. She's a university professor and a surprisingly good writer who just loves animals and is fearless enough to invite them into her home.

My favorite part was the very funny section where the author takes one of the squirrels to the dentist because of a problem with his lower front teeth.

I loved this book, and not just because I love squirrels. This is a wonderful account of one womans life with her urban squirrel friends in NYC. Having just been to Washington Square Park where the book takes place I can see how these squirrels became so dependant on the kindness of others. This is a great book for those who may not be fans of the squirrel, but who would at least appreciate a good story and like animals. I have been recommending this one to a lot of people I know just for a change of pace in their normal reading, so go get a copy, but don't bury somewhere where you can't find it again.

Grace Spruch and her husband Larry, both physics professors, moved into a Greenwich Village apartment in 1970. For ten years Grace kept a journal of the observations she made about the squirrels that visited them for daily handouts of nuts. Looking for a book with drama, romance, suspense, and excitement? Look elsewhere. But if you want to read a wonderful account of a rodent-loving woman's interactions with a charming gang of furry individuals, check this book out.

I loved this book so much! Since I have moved from Pennsylvania to Australia I have missed squirrels very much. They are such beautiful and resourceful creatures yet we seem to know so little about them. Grace's story of her experiences with her neighbourhood squirrels will delight any animal lover. She has a unique perspective and writing style which is intelligent yet appreciative of the little critters. I really loved her wonderful accounts of which squirrels prefer which nuts and how they choose between them.

Highly recommended!

If you are interested in the environment and whales and support the fact that what the Japanese are doing by slaughtering whales is WRONG then you MUST read this book, I thought it was great !!!

It is only toward the end of _The Whale Warriors: The Battle at the Bottom of the World to Save the Planet's Largest Mammals_ (Free Press) that author Peter Heller describes the atrocities being committed against whales by the Japanese whaling fleets. He doesn't see them himself, but describes a video that was shot aboard one of the whalers showing the effects of explosive harpoons and the drawn out electrocution of a pregnant whale. "There is no more barbaric method of slaughter on earth, in any meat industry," Heller writes. "This prolonged butchery and torture are reserved for the most intelligent, most social order of beings." You don't have to be an ecology freak or tree hugger to be disgusted by the slaughter, carried out by Japanese whalers in the guise of doing scientific research (and then, oh, by the way, selling the "autopsied" whales for meat). It doesn't matter that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society does seem to consist mostly ecology freaks, vegans, and starry-eyed whale enthusiasts. They are doing what they can to stop the whale hunts, and this book is Heller's riveting account of Sea Shepherd's voyage at the end of 2005 to confront the whale hunters on their own grounds.

Sea Shepherd has its own ship, the _Farley Mowatt_, an ancient 200-ton former freighter, painted black and flying the Jolly Roger. By at least some definitions, the crew are pirates, and their work is certainly not subtle, including ramming, using propeller foulers to entangle the props and immobilize the ship, and stink bombs. They get away with it because no one wants to take them to court where they can publicize the evils of whaling. The captain of the _Farley_ and its 43 volunteer crewmembers is the bearish Paul Watson, an original founder of Greenpeace from which he is now estranged. As Heller pictures him, he is an anti-Ahab, monomaniacally pursuing those who are pursuing whales, brilliant in leadership and expression, but also quite possibly crazy. "I did not think he was exactly insane," Heller writes. His fast-moving account of the 51 days of pursuit includes portraits of remarkable crew members, many of whom are completely inexperienced as sailors. It isn't all grim on board; there is a great deal of silliness, poker games, much drinking, bad music, snowboarding on icebergs, and even a New Year's Day dip in the icy water. The descriptions of the _Farley_ at sea, encrusted with ice and taking dangerous rolls are indeed scary. The eventual chase and the climatic confrontation with the whalers is full of adrenaline, while the ship's muted success fits fully the ambiguities described herein.

Paul Watson's tactics may be controversial, but readers will be cheering for him by the end of this book. The reason is that Sea Shepherd might be pirates, but they still have the moral high ground against whalers. On this very voyage, they were pursuing Japanese whalers who were bent on killing whales which everyone knows are endangered, and taking them out of waters within an internationally established whale sanctuary. You don't have to agree with Watson's methods, but everyone must agree that current international conservation laws are not being enforced, and that the world is turning a blind eye to violations because of reluctance to upset trading partners. Heller's brilliant account of a harrowing voyage might report the quixotic follies of the ship _Farley Mowatt_, but it is an angry and bitter education into the destructive follies of whaling.

There has never been a book that has spoken to me like this one. It takes you through so many emotions - pain, frustration, anticipation, laughter, hope. Even if you cannot completely agree with Captain Paul Watson's actions, you can appreciate his passion. You turn the pages eagerly, waiting for a climax and even when it comes it leaves you wanting more. And that is the point - this is a story that will never end as long as there is the unnecessary murder of the oceans most peaceful mammals and a man like Captain Paul Watson ready to protect them.

As author Peter Heller says on his web site, no writer of fiction could hope to invent the wild truth on display in this tale of adventure on the high seas. Heller joined Captain Paul Watson and his 44 crew members aboard the Farley Mowat to find and stop the Japanese whaling fleet in 2005.

Heller's balance of objectivity and subjectivity provides for a very engaging and exciting read. This book is perfect for reading aloud, which is how we have been approaching it. Heller's prose style creates a you-are-there feeling. Mingled with regular visits to the Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace web sites for real-time blog updates, the reader can really feel like they are on the journey. This is an ongoing battle between those who see whales as intelligent, sensitive, and aware; and those who see them only as a "resource" to be harvested to the fullest extent. It is being played out right now in the southern ocean, so this book has an immediacy and relevance beyond the story it tells of 2005.

It would be enough if this were a great adventure well told, but The Whale Warriors is more than that. It is a decent introduction to the current state of the ocean. The information is woven so neatly into the story that the blend of plot, commentary and factual information is nearly seamless.

Kudos to Peter Heller for taking on a controversial and emotional subject, and telling the story in a form accessible to everyone.

The Whale Warriors is an exciting page turner about the 2006 whaling campaign in Antartica. It is chock full of harrowing information about the state of our seas (scientists predict the entire ocean will collapse by 2048!) to amazing insight into marine mammals (dolphins will refer to themselves and the dolphin they are communicating with by name AND also refer to a third dolphin by name during a dolphin-conversation).

The book delves into the interesting and diverse cast of characters aboard the Farley Morat. Who would give up everything (family, a livelihood) to risk their lives at the edges of the earth for a whale? You'd be surprised.

This book is both exhilarating and heart-breaking. An adventure worth taking that will change, forever, the way you look at the ocean.

George Perkovich has produced a seminal work on India's nuclear weapons program. He analyzes the political, economic, security issues that have contributed to India's decision-making regarding the bomb. George has correctly identified India as being caught in a dilemma for a long time over nuclear weapons testing. India also provides the only example of a nuclear weapons program that was openly debated in a democratic society. This debate (which ranked often very low on the priorities of successive prime ministers who correctly placed socio-economic development as a higher priority) has led to India shifting its position over time -- one from being the first proponent of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty to opposing it due to is discriminatory nature today. It describes how India's opposition to nuclear weapons in the '50s which was perceived as being moralizing in the West, has now changed to embrace weapons since the nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty permanently endorsed the nuclear weapons status of the five declared nuclear powers without any comprehensive, binding time-table for destroying all nuclear weapons -- a position that India objects to as being discriminatory.

A must-read for anyone interested in nuclear weapons proliferation and arms control negotiations today.

Less to do with the bomb per se, but a scholarly history of the Indian nuclear program. This is a work that will be quoted again and again.

This is easily one of the best books I have read about my own country. Very informative.

Note to editorial Reviewers: India entered the nuclear club in May 1974 and not in May 1998 as suggested by some of your reviews.

Some highlights of the book.

* The term nuclear "haves" and "have-nots" was coined by Homi Bhabha initially and used by others and till date has been central to putting forth our country's opposition to NPT and CTBT.

* University of Chicago's late Prof. Chandrasekhar's refusal to head the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) after the death of patriot Dr. Homi Bhabha.

* One of my disappointment is the author's avoidance in the discussion of the cause of the death of Dr. Homi Bhabha, even though such an incident is beyond the scope of this book. Since Bhabha provided the impetus and leadership during the nuclear program's infancy, I expected the author to throw some light on this issue.

* Vikram Sarabhai's hatred for Nuclear tests is news, especially since he was heading the Atomic Energy commision. As a spaceman it is surprising that he headed the organization in the first place.

* Indira Gandhi's refusal to allow more nuclear tests after 1974 stemmed from her abhorence for anything nuclear after her post-Pokhran I experiences. This is contrary to the popular belief - international pressure.

* Most sections of the book has an objective view of the Indian nuclear scenario except the last few chapters where the author seems to bend towards India signing the CTBT and the NPT. Or atleast implying that India's moral stand on nuclear issue was defeated after the May 98 tests.

* BJP (and its predecessor Jana Sangh) has been the only political party to openly campaign for Nuclear power.

It is time that India and Pakistan get the respect they deserve as nuclear powers. Why is it that France, Germany, Israel, the U.S., Russia, and South Africa (now supposedly non-nuclear) have been able to garner the respect that China, India and Pakistan are alluded by? Is it becuase they are not white Europeans? Nontheless, a well researched book.

As an Indian immensely proud of his country's accomplishments and having had to enter multiple debates with other non-Indians in May 1998, I gained a great amount from the book. It is immaculately researched and it seems that Perkovich has left no stone unturned. It goes into such depth and understanding of the Indian polity's psyche as previously unseen from a non-Indian author. Perkovich is not merely narrating a set of events which led to the testing but defending a theory that goes against current understandings of international relations and nuclear non-profileration by setting India as an example. I enjoyed every chapter of the book and hope that current policy makers in the field learn from it. A must read for every Indian interested it their country's policies and others making policy for the rest of the world.

Having read McCaig's other books, I found this one fascinating, but I agree that you might have to be a border collie enthusiast to really enjoy it. The trip through Scotland and finding Gael held my rapt attention. I agree with the Publisher's Weekly review, that McCaig should have stayed on the theme of his new dog and her subsequent life. He left me hanging on that one and I'm hoping there will be a sequel. Despite that, I loved the book anyway.

The only problem with his books are that they seem to read far too quickly. I find myself putting them down just to make them last. He knows how to pull you into a good story. "Nop's Trials" is a particularly great story. Unfortunately for me I stayed up all night with this one in hand until the very last page. Tired but glad to have read this one.

"Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men" reads great but I'll lose no sleep from this one. A wonderful and captivating read. A real insiders perspective on working dogs and the sheepmen who work with them.

This is a fascinating read for dog lovers.

I have occasionally had friends decide they wanted a Border Collie - friends I knew should not get a Border Collie. I give them this book and it does a great job of changing their minds. And it entertains them at the same time.

I liked this book so much and it stuck with me so when I first read it - the many comments of his "wee bitch" and naming her Gael that my Gael was named from this book. Border collie enthusiasts who see just names on the papers of their dogs may well see some of those names in here. Wonderful people and dogs in real life and an enjoyable read of working dogs, both trials and every day dogs, in Scotland. Loved the book...as someone else mentioned if you're not a fan of border collies you might not find it quite as engaging. Recommended reading for border collie owners!!

A Border Collie owner, I could hardly wait to read this book, and the author's other books, Nop's Trials and Nop's Hope. A one-time visitor to Scotland who can't wait to go back, I eagerly looked forward to this book. And, I was not in the least bit disappointed on either count! The author's style is easy-going and readable, with a subtle humor throughout. His images are brilliant and I just felt like I was present for each scene that he wrote and a part of the action. Someone who has no interest in the working Border Collie might find the book dull. So also might someone who is not particularly interested in the very different lifestyle of the shepherd of Scotland. But for us who love the working Border Collie and find the life of the Scottish shepherd and his/her dog intriguing, this is an absolutely must-read book, over and over again!

The Guild of Geniuses is a wonderful book. The story line is fun in itself, but put it together with the whimsical illustrations and you have a book that will stay around for a very long time. My seven year old loves this book and has read it several times over. It is my 5 year old however, who seems to get lost in the wonderful imagery that Dan has created. Completely original, This book stands out!

This book is amazing - the full painted pages are a real feast for the eyes.

Our 4 year-old daughter enjoyed the story the first time, commented "That was a nice story", then immediately proceeded to flip through the book a second time, this time taking in the amazing artwork. Wildly inventive, with robots, monkeys, inventions, cityscapes. Can't say enough about the wonderful artwork - great great stuff.

This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (PA) Review":

Not even the Guild of Geniuses, which advertises "Problems Solved in a Jiffy. No Question Too Difficult. Win a Prize if You Stump Us!," can figure out why Mr. Pip, is so sad.

Mr. Pip, a monkey, is the companion of the famous actor Frederick Lipton. He's been down since Lipton's birthday, when extraordinary gifts for the celebrity poured in from all parts of the world and there was no time for Mr. Pip to give Frederick his gift.

Santat's colorful pages are alive with silly people and wacky inventions in action, and he doesn't overlook whimsical details. When not poring over the pictures, children will feel proud that they can figure out what's wrong with Mr. Pip, even if the geniuses can't. The story is also a gentle reminder to adults that children, like monkeys, thrive on personal attention and time with the important people in their lives.

This book is everything I could want in a children's book! The Illustrations are beautiful and unique and open up a wonderful, whimsical world. The story is funny and original, and appeals to adults as well as children. This is a book that children will want to hear over and over again, and that adults won't mind repeating. There are not enough books like this one on the shelves. I recommend The Guild of Geniuses highly!

This book is a work of art: the illustrations are fresh and funny, and help to engage and pull the reader through the somewhat plodding story of a pet monkey who has difficulty getting one-on-one time with his master. The plot feels dreamlike, and the wonderfully creative illustrations help maintain this milieu. This would make a great read-aloud or read-alone for the younger set, with a bit of interpretive help on the terms like "guild" and "back to the drawing board". This is a remarkable first book for the author, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

***** Author and Illustrator Fox Carlton Hughes has done a masterful job with this delightful children's book. The eye-catching bold colors on the cover, and throughout every page in the book, are quite simply a visual treat and the lessons taught within the story are timeless. Our hero, Homer, is a little Rhino who has a big tusk - very big! In fact, it was outstandingly big! Because of that, Homer was teased by his playmates and spent a lot of time being sad.

One day, as the story goes on to tell, Homer sees and follows a rainbow to its end (because he loves rainbows), only to find that the rainbow was crying - splattering big, wet, rainbow tears all over Homer! It's colors were brilliant and beautiful, as rainbow colors are supposed to be, so why was the rainbow so sad? Homer went over for a closer look. That's when he saw the hole in the side of the rainbow and watched as those brilliant colors gushed out onto the ground. After thinking a moment or two, Homer knew exactly what to do. He jammed his oversized tusk into the hole with a powerful thud, stopping the leak immediately! The rainbow praised Homer and Homer was suddenly filled with a great self-confidence. He knew, way down inside his heart, that without his huge tusk the rainbow would have lost its colors before the Dew Fairies could have arrived to help him.

In the end, it was the change in Homer's attitude toward himself that gave him some much needed confidence, and self-confidence is all any of us truly needs to be happy.

This is a wonderful story for small children and teaches some amazing lessons. Highly recommended reading. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson of Huntress Reviews.

This book is sooo inspirational and educational!

It is not only appealing to small children but children and adults of all ages!

Anyone can learn, from this book, the belief that it is alright to be different and to love yourself just as you are.

We all have something special inside of us to share with others and to make a difference in the world around us.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Rainbow Rhino arrived at my door yesterday and it's already well on its way to becoming a household favorite. I expect that this book will become one of those stories that I read over and over again and it never becomes stale.

The story itself is classic. Homer the Rhino is born just a bit different than all his classmates as his tusk is extra long. My daughter also pointed out that all his classmates are human so he's already got issues of being different anyway. Nonetheless, Homer spends a good deal of his time playing alone and feeling like an outsider. Who hasn't been in that situation? Homer's point of view quickly changes though when he meets and helps a rainbow in trouble.

In addition to a great entertaining story that even makes adults smile, Rainbow Rhino has beautiful colorful illustrations that catch the eye. The expressions on the characters faces are absolutely precious. Rainbow Rhino will quickly become a favorite in any household or library.

I have just finished reading this delightful story, and am thrilled that it is available to children and adults alike. Without giving away the plot, the book tells of Homer, a rhino with a problem. As the story unfolds, Homer uses his `problem' to help someone in distress! Through his selfless and kind act, Homer's own problem is solved! What a satisfying ending, and what a good lesson the story illustrates! And, speaking of "illustrates," the reader will be captivated by the book's brilliant artwork! Mr. Hughes' drawings and use of vivid color are dazzling!

Beyond all of this, I was impressed with Mr. Hughes' use of vivid language. Characters in the story wail, sob, shout, gasp and sputter. They gallop, charge, ram, skid, gush, stumble, and spatter. Not only does this book teach a lesson in compassion and kindness, but also it exposes the reader to exciting and descriptive language. This is the kind of book that I value as an elementary school teacher. By sharing this book with students, I can help them understand the value of being kind to others who are `different,' and of helping someone in distress. Also, I can expose them to new and exciting words that they can try out in their own compositions. I certainly appreciate having multi purpose `tools' like The Rainbow Rhino to use in a classroom, and I am looking forward to sharing it with a group of young students soon.