Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

Authored by humane educator extraordinaire Zoe Weil, Claude and Medea traces the compassionate awakening of two twelve year olds. Both students at a prestigious private school in Manhattan, Claude comes from a background of wealth and privilege while his classmate Medea’s background is working class. The two are not friends at the opening of the book, but when an unconventional substitute teacher arrives at their school, they both hear the depths of her messages of compassion and independent thinking  in a way that their classmates do not. Bonded by their willingness to discuss Mrs. Rattlebee’s teachings, the two embark on a scheme to find out why dogs in New York City are disappearing.

Marshaling the support of some of Medea’s friends and family, Claude and Medea quickly realize that they had not anticipated the seriousness of the situation. City dogs are being abducted and sold to Hellburn Research Institute, an animal testing facility across the Hudson River in New Jersey. The children concoct a risky rescue and extraction plan, which they successfully execute with the assistance of their cohorts. The compassionate kids rescue dogs (including ones with substances still in their system) and a rat. Not content to rest on their laurels, once the rescue is complete, they also send press releases and get several major media hits regarding the abduction of the dogs and the truth about what is happening at the research facility.

There is a lot to appreciate about this book. One of the protagonists is a long time vegetarian, and the other converts to vegetarianism shortly into the story. The messages imparted by the mysterious unique substitute teacher clearly resonate with the two students, and her impressions are lasting. Though Mrs. Rattlebee’s physical presence in their lives is transitory, the seeds of curiosity, compassion and mercy that she planted continue to blossom. The story moves along quickly with rich details about the situations and characters, and Claude and Medea are smart, savvy problem solvers. One quibble that veg folks may have is the portrayal of Mrs. Rattlebee’s demeanor and appearance, especially when she channels a fictional creature using her body as a vessel. Though her message is one we can all get behind, she embodies a stereotype that may not ring true to many children today, children who are growing up knowing some very mainstream veg*s — doctors, lawyers, teachers, artists, business owners, engineers etc. Vegans and vegetarians who do not identify as quirky counterculturalists may not appreciate this aspect of Mrs. Rattlebee’s character.

While I highly recommend this story for older kids from a humane education standpoint, I feel compelled to mention that much of the success of the Hellburn Dogs (and Rat) rescue comes about because Claude, Medea and their crew engage in mistruths ranging from small fibs to significant lies to their parents and other adults. Are the two using some harmless subterfuge to speak truth to power, or are they lying, scheming kids? Are the two mutually exclusive? Parents will need to figure out how they feel about this issue. Additionally, when I read this story, it struck me that the kids could potentially be held liable under the 2006 Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which in part addresses animal research facilities. Not familiar with this piece of obscure legislation? Read more about it here. Claude and Medea ends with Hellburn Reseach Institute being shut down and Dr. Hellburn and his associates being arrested because of their actions. Would this happen in real life? I’m not sure but it is something for parents and other adults to contemplate.

Ages 10 and up.

Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

“Born to Be Wild” is an IMAX film focusing on the conservation efforts of two women working a world away from each other in different conditions but with aligned goals. Both have set up systems of caring for and ultimately releasing orphaned wild animals back into the wild. Daphne Sheldrick, who founded the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, maintains facilities in Kenya where young elephants who have lost their mothers to poachers are taken in, cared for and, years later, reintroduced to their native habitat. Birute Galdikas founded Orangutan Foundation International, which advocates and cares for orphaned orangutans in Indonesia as well as works to preserve their rapidly declining habitat.

Narrated by Morgan Freeman, “Born to Be Wild” contains amazing footage of the lush Borneo rainforests and the dry Kenyan terrain. While the narrative explains the conditions, history and current work of each organization, the generous shots of the young elephants and orangutans (and their caregivers) are heartwrenchingly adorable — so much so that it is almost possible to forget the two distinct yet equally disturbing reasons that create the need. At the same time, it is the lack of emphasis on the deforestation in Borneo and poaching in Kenya that makes this movie not just appropriate but enjoyable for younger kids. Instead, while the issues are mentioned, the film specifically focuses on the work of these two women and those in their employ, as well as the stated goal of returning the orphaned babies back to the wild.

There are a couple of points in the movie which may be uncomfortable — namely, the reenactment of the arrival of one of the orangutans at OFI’s Camp Leakey and the footage of a capture of a baby elephant who had been spotted with a group of bulls, a scenario in which the young elephant would have starved to death. Both seemed contrived to add an unnecessary sense of drama to the film, though I later learned that yes, the elephant rescue just happened to occur while the film crew was on location. These are small blips in this compelling movie. I recommend this film for kids 5 and up (though as with all IMAX features, the noise levels and large images can be overwhelming for sensitive folk of any age). The experience of watching this, especially for children who are being raised with a heightened awareness of human interaction with animals, may be a very profound one.

Some webisodes have been created around the film. Check them out to get a flavor for the movie. You can enjoy some of the information and adorability from the comfort of your own computer.

Review By JENNIFER KALI

Dora’s cousin Diego is also an adventurer, but Diego is a boy with a mission. At the beginning of each episode, Diego announces, “Hi!  I am Diego and I am an animal rescuer!” Then he goes on to exclaim, “I love animals!” With his team, made up of his sister Alicia and Click the camera, each episode revolves around Diego rescuing a wild animal in need. The animals are in somewhat dangerous situations (such as stuck in a tree in a flood), but the show is fun and not too scary. Since each show is about a different animal, each show focuses on learning traits specific to each animal, and at the end of the episode, Alicia reviews the traits we learned and records them in her animal science journal.

My daughter, age 2.5, loves this show. She received a three-episode DVD for Christmas from Grandma and she begs to watch it every day. I think I know those three episodes by heart now. All seasons of the show are available on Netflix instant viewing, so thankfully, we don’t have to only watch those three episodes.

She’s also a big Dora fan. I enjoy Dora for her because she is a great female role model. She goes on outdoor adventures and there is nothing she can’t do. But I also really like Diego because it’s all about helping animals. Diego seems to be aimed at a slightly older demographic than Dora and teaches different skills. While both shows focus on problem solving and Spanish language skills, Dora seems more focused on lists and ordering while Diego is more focused on learning about animals. My favorite thing about both shows is that the main characters are non-white. Like my daughter, the characters have brown skin and big brown eyes, such a rarity in children’s TV and books. 

Overall I think this is a great show, especially for families with concerns about animal welfare.

Ages 2-7.

Review By ROBYN MOORE

Christmas Kitten is a sweet book for kids to enjoy during the holidays. It has the typical Christmas cast of characters including Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer, but it also has a kitten, which adds to the cute factor.  

While making deliveries Santa Claus finds a homeless kitten. He wants to keep her, but to his dismay Mrs. Claus points out that he is allergic to cats. So Mrs. Claus goes through some of the old letters from kids to see if she can find a little boy or girl who might have asked for a kitten, but Santa Claus reminds her that they must have the parent’s permission. Caring for and loving a pet is a big responsibility, so it was nice to see that addressed. After some mischief, the kitten leads the Clauses to the study where she is pawing at an envelope underneath the dresser. Inside they discover an unopened letter from parents who are requesting a kitten for their little girl, Angela. Perfect! So Mr. and Mrs. Claus deliver the kitten to Angela, and she wakes up in the morning with a kitten nestled in her bed.

Overall, I liked this book. The story was sweet and the pictures felt warm, cozy and festive. It featured a homeless kitten who was rescued, which is always a good topic for a book! It opens the door to a discussion about the animal overpopulation issue. Even young kids can understand the importance of always adopting animals rather than buying animals from pet stores or breeders—it’s a simple concept.

Ages 3-8.

Review By MOLLY FRISINGER

A Christmas Horse Named Cairo: A Rescued Palomino from Sunny Day Farms is a fundraiser book for Sunny Day Farms Animal Sanctuary. Using photographs and a simple storyline, the book tells the true story of rescued horse Cairo through the eyes of a little girl who lives on the farm.

The book takes readers through daily life at the animal sanctuary, the arrival of the neglected horse, Cairo’s recovery, and his happy life on the farm. Although the book design is amateurish, photographs of cute farm animals are engaging enough to make up for any shortcomings in the design.

Reading A Christmas Horse Named Cairo is the next best thing to visiting a farm animal sanctuary in person. The story is a good introduction to animal activism for young children. Because money from book sales goes directly to the animal sanctuary, in a way, the reader becomes part of the farm community helping the animals.

An image of a starved Cairo with his ribs showing may be scary for some children. However, Cairo recovers quickly and looks quite festive dressed up with ribbons for Christmas.

A full preview of the book is available online at blurb.com, where you can also purchase the book.

Ages 4 and up.

Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

As soon as a review copy of Maggie’s Second Chance: A Gentle Dog’s Rescue arrived, I looked through it and knew that Gryphon Press had another wonderful title with the release of this fantastic book. However, the true test is that of the intended audience, and in this case, the book was well received by children– as in the “let’s read this again!” for many nights in a row kind of well received.

Black lab(-ish) Maggie is abandoned when her family moves. Pregnant and left without food or heat, she is discovered by a real estate agent and ends up in custody of animal control. Maggie gives birth while at the shelter and her puppies are adopted out in short order while Maggie remains behind, “just another big black dog blending into the shadows.” (Black dogs do often have a more difficult time being adopted out.)

Though featured in the local paper, Maggie continues to languish in the shelter. One day a boy catches sight of her photo in the paper while he is taking out his family’s recycling. When he finds out she is in danger of being euthanized, he and his classmates are galvanized into action. They craft a plan for an animal shelter and present it to their town council, which, implausibly, gives permission for a no-kill shelter to be built.

Despite a seemingly lengthy hold time at the municipal shelter, Maggie’s time is up. With no potential adopter in sight, she is prepared by an apologetic shelter worker as she is to be led to her death. However, in a dramatic last minute rescue, she is saved– tapped to go the new no-kill shelter founded by the students.

Adults will need to hold on to their heart as they read this particular book, which does not shy away from the very difficult subject matter of shelter issues. However, through the author’s sensitivity there is an impressive dignity that accrues throughout the telling of Maggie’s story. The appealing illustrations lend themselves well to the story and depict Maggie as a gentle, patient, loyal girl. This fictional story is based on elements of a couple of true ones that have been woven together, but of course, not all animals (especially big black dogs) are lucky enough to find homes.

Ages 5 and up.

Review By JENNIFER KALI

Betty and Billy and their parents rescue Walter from a shelter.  He stinks and no one else wants him.  They soon learn that he has a stink that doesn’t wash out – he’s a chronic farter.  No matter what he eats, no matter what he’s doing, he can’t stop farting.  Betty and Billy don’t mind, but their father does.  Father says Walter has to go back to the shelter because he can’t stand the stink.  Betty and Billy are devastated.  The night before they take him back, there is a break-in.  The family is sleeping and Walter scares the burglars away with his stinky farts.  He saves the silverware.  Father changes his mind and says he doesn’t care if Walter stinks – he’s part of the family now.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  Farts are funny, no doubt.  The first half of the book is hilarious.  The family tries everything but Walter just keeps farting.  I love that Walter is a rescue and that Betty and Billy choose him because no one else wants him.  And Betty and Billy are steadfast in their love – they don’t mind the stink, they love him anyway.  I don’t like that Father is so quick to return him to the shelter and that only by proving his worth is he allowed to stay in the family.  I also don’t like the gender dynamic of a firm and harsh father who makes all of the decisions.  The pictures are hideous.  The family is the ugliest family I’ve ever seen.

But most of all, I don’t like the break-in.  I don’t know why we need such a dramatic event to occur in a book for young children.  It seems like this type of event would scare children.  Are people going to break into our home while we’re sleeping?

This book has both good and bad features.  I think we’ll keep it in our family because farts are funny, though I won’t look at the pictures while I read.

Ages 4-8.

Editor’s Note: Because the original Walter the Farting Dog is out of print, we were unable to get permission to run the image of that book with this review.  Instead, the image above is of another installment in the Walter series.

Review By HUYEN MACMICHAEL

The Snail and the Whale was so entertaining that it helped my four-year-old and my friend’s active two-year-old stay seated and riveted during our lengthy lunch at a restaurant. Sure, I had to read between bites but the rhyming couplets were a succulent mouthful and the adorable illustrations were packed with delectable details that the kids just ate up.

A wander-lusting, spelling snail advertises for and boards the tail of a tour-guiding humpback whale for a cruise around the world. They see the magnificent sights of the sky, sea, and land until the whale is pushed off course by speedboats and gets beached. Although “the snail felt helpless and terribly small,” she charges to the rescue in an unconventional manner.

I love the emphasis on the beauty of the natural world, the tasteful pro-environment message, and especially the emphasis that small or large, we can make a huge difference together. I highly recommend this sweet and savory “save the whale” adventure tale that is appetizing to both genders and palatable for adults as well as children.

Ages 3 and up.

Review By JESSICA ALMY

If you’re ready for a quirky adventure story told from the perspective of a clam, then Necks Out for Adventure! by Timothy Basil Ering is the book for you.

“For as long as anyone could remember, the wiggleskins would not leave the mud. While the currents flowed back and forth over their heads, they all lived by a simple system. Necks out to eat and necks in to hide.”

So begins the story — true, we’re told — of Edwin Wiggleskin, a clam who dared to ask a very big question: What would happen if the wiggleskins left the mud and flowed with the current? When his people are snatched by a clammer, Edwin doesn’t just ask the question, but he puts his neck out for adventure and gives it a go. Daring to go where no clam has gone before, Edwin ventures onto shore and to the clammer’s shack, where he narrowly avoids a soup pot and ends up saving his mom, dad, and all the clams by convincing them to leave their shells and venture out on their own.

Vegan and vegetarian families will appreciate that this story illustrates what it must feel like to be someone else’s food. While we can’t know for sure whether clams are actually sentient, like this story portrays, we do know that it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Ages 3-7.

Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

The Chimpanzee Kid is the story of seventh grader Harold Pinto.  Harold is a sensitive kid with a history of taking up causes that other kids in his school are uninterested in hearing about, and consequently is somewhat of a lonely young guy.  His parents have divorced not long ago and his dog has recently died; both events leave him feeling raw and ungrounded.

When he learns about a local chimpanzee facility from a New York Times article, Harold does some sleuthing (or trespassing, depending on one’s point of view) at the facility.  Sneaking into one of the buildings, he befriends one of the chimpanzees, Benny, who has been isolated from the others. Harold decides to try to free Benny, enlisting a new school friend to help with the process.  What ensues is unexpected and an excellent story.  Ron Roy manages to craft a realistic and interesting portrayal of Harold’s botched attempt at securing release for Benny– with a surprising twist.

The story is nicely paced and well written.  However, it is important to note that it is over twenty years old and very dated in parts.  For example, Harold spends quite a lot of time listening to his Walkman (his crooner of choice is Willie Nelson).  Since it is not a recent publication, it may be a difficult book to find.  If your young adult reader is alright reading through some of the outdated cultural references, this is a worthwhile book with a very animal-rights friendly storyline.

Recommended for ages 9 and up.