Review By CAROLYN M. MULLIN

Ack! Why does something so sweet and well-intentioned have to be such a letdown? Suryia and Roscoe, in theory, is a perfect tale for preschoolers and early elementary students about a unique friendship between an orangutan and a rescued dog who live at the T.I.G.E.R.S. “Preservation Station” in South Carolina. The book and the “zoo” it represents is also the perfect example of the fine line conservation groups walk in terms of “educating” vs. “entertaining” potential donors, children and the public at large. Unfortunately, T.I.G.E.R.S. crosses that line, and I wouldn’t encourage anyone to purchase this book and continue its exploitative practices.

The author “Doc” Bhagavan Antle celebrates the fact that he’s a trainer (you can even see in their promo video the implementation of the cruel bull-hook with their elephant), and that his animals have starred in over 500 films, television shows, commercials and advertisements worldwide. That doesn’t sound like conservation efforts to me; just a way to make a buck. And more than anyone, I fully understand the need for nonprofits to start thinking in business terms, especially in this economic downturn, but certainly not if it jeopardizes the welfare of the animals and gives people a misguided, commoditized view of wildlife. At its Preservation Stations, guests can take photos with the wild animals, pet them and generally treat them like they would a cat or dog, which they are far from.

And unlike some of the other genuine children’s tales addressing different species bonding (Owen & Mzee, Tarra & Bella), the photographs in this book are entirely staged, unauthentic and just manipulative…in my humble opinion.

I don’t recommend this book for anyone.

Review By JENNIFER GANNETT

In our house, we’ve really enjoyed a math-themed book by the author of Apples, Cherries, Red Raspberries: What is in the Fruit Group? and since it has been such a beloved read, so I was excited to see what this book all about fruit would be like. In general, it is an enjoyable read. The book discusses all different types of fruit and their health benefits, doing so in a pleasing rhyme. (This may be the first time you realize that honeydew rhymes with the phrase “number two.”) The illustrations are lively and serve to reinforce the silly elements of the book.

There was a major disappointment in this book though, and that was that this book extolling the virtues of fruit managed to incorporate an insensitive portion discussing hooking, frying and boiling fish. Sensitive children and adults will want to give this book a pass.

If you are willing to abide a page about fishing, the fruity elements of this book are fun and serve to reinforce the idea that fruit is healthy and yummy. It is unfortunate that even a book about fruit depicts the veg-unfriendly idea of hooking and cooking fish.

Ages 5 and up.

Review By CAROLYN M. MULLIN

“Let me root, root, root for the home team. If they don’t win it’s a shame.”

Let’s just say I was rooting for this book, but with more than three strikes The Animal Rescue Store is awash. Based on and inspired by a “vagabond zoo” in New York City (more of a pet storefront) run by Buddy Shapiro, the establishment takes in needy animals (llamas, tarantulas, ferrets, guinea pigs) and finds new homes for them. That seems like the making of a good tale, right?

Author and “slam poet” Elizabeth Swados writes from both the patron’s and animals’ perspectives, but the resulting text tends to be bipolar, jarred, and at times an incoherent presentation of their thoughts (a fun challenge for any orator).The more flowing poems can be outright damning of the sentience and intelligence of animals: “…But those big poppy eyes / Got no sad or glad. / A-duuuh / They’re cold as – well, fish / They don’t feel nothin’ / Empty inside.” And some critters who do find sanctuary are still in danger: After stating “You boil lobsters / You broil lobsters / You barbeque lobsters,” a girl rescues and informs the crustacean that, “I better close the tank / Because there’s a risk / Of mom boiling you.” The frog, who is also used for practical jokes, doesn’t seem to have a much better fate.

There are some sweet spots in this publication, such as an elderly Mrs. Finklestein who eagerly wants to adopt a rat, or the young woman who overcomes her fright of snakes to the point where she exclaims, “Hey there sweet snake. / Gimme a kiss / Ssssss.” But overall, this book of poetry is a loose cannon that’s better left in the nosebleed section of the library. For a title that’s written in the same spirit, but with compassion, try Maya Gottfried’s Good Dog.

Ages 4-8.

Review by SANDI LANCASTER

At first glance, I thought that Harry By The Sea would become a favorite in our house, but after reading it once with our daughter, I quietly stuck it in our basement storage, hoping that it would soon be forgotten.

The story starts with Harry the dog going to the beach with his family. There’s not enough room for him under his family’s umbrella, so his family tells him to leave. Throughout the book, all the characters that Harry encounters are less than kind to him - telling him to “get lost,” etc. When Harry gets completely covered with seaweed, he is mistaken for a sea monster, and at this point the people he encounters become even more unkind. The beach attendants try to capture him to take him to an aquarium. At the end of the story, after he becomes clean and recognizable again, he reunites with his family, who finally decide to get a bigger umbrella so Harry can be included.

The family’s change of heart at the end feels like too little too late, especially when it seems like the reader is supposed to find it funny that all the people around Harry are cruel to him. Vegetarian families may also dislike the recurring mention of hot dogs and hamburgers throughout the book. And we also could have done without seeing one of the characters referred to as “a fat lady.” All in all, we felt like we were better off putting this book in basement storage rather in our daughter’s bookcase.

Review By JESSICA ALMY

I decided to check out this older early-reader book because it was tagged as “vegetarian” on one of the major online book retailers (and other sites have similar synopses). Unfortunately, while it does deal with the issue of vegetarianism, author Daniel Pinkwater’s treatment of the subject is so superficial and silly that I would not recommend it for vegetarian families.

The basic premise is this: Big Bob is ostracized by his class due to his large stature. One day when the class decides to make turkeys in honor of Thanksgiving, Bob objects, saying he is a vegetarian and would rather make potatoes.  The teacher consents to his choice, and Bob’s friend Gloria also says she would like to make a Thanksgiving potato.

The problem is that Bob is not a vegetarian, and he uses the fact that he hoodwinked the teacher to garner the respect of the other students. So rather than be the tale of a boy who was willing to stand up for himself and his beliefs, the book quickly deteriorates into much less appealing pandering to the tastes of the other students for the sake of popularity.

This book is geared to ages 4-8 but is not recommended. Better choices for this age group include Perfect the Pig,Granny Gomez and Jigsaw, and That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals.

Review By JACQUELINE BODNAR

The reality that most vegetarian parents face when it comes to the way cows are treated is that the vast majority of these animals don’t have it good, to put it mildly. Pumped full of growth hormone and antibiotics, and then hooked up to mechanical milking machines, they live a production-line life that leaves a lot to be desired. But you wouldn’t learn that by reading Cow to your children.

This book focuses on dairy cows on a traditional dairy farm, the kind that no longer exists on a large scale today. The book starts out by asking the question, “What is it like to be a dairy cow?” The answers it provides to that question focus only on the fading image of a traditional farm, filled with loving providers and an idyllic setting.

From grazing the days away, to happy farmers who “gently” clean the udders before milking the cows, the entire book paints a picture that life as a dairy cow is serene and enjoyable. Unfortunately, parents who care about animal rights know this to not be true, and will likely want to steer their child clear of this misleading fairytale image.

Geared to ages 4-8, but not recommended.

Review By JACQUELINE BODNAR

Anyone who has been a vegetarian for at least a year has likely been exposed to the jokes and ridicule that come when other adults hear about the idea of a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Now, through In a Tizzy Over Turkey by Adam Beechen, those same attitudes have been put into book form, aimed at children ages 5-7.

In this book, the author pokes fun of the idea of having a vegetarian Thanksgiving. Timmy has his heart set on eating turkey for Thanksgiving, only to find out that his parents have opted for a vegetarian menu.

The story makes fun of the “tofurkey” or “turkey-flavored tofu” that is served, with Timmy refusing to eat it. They also refer to it as “spongy,” and say that it bounced on the floor when it came time to carve it. They even have the bowl of gravy sticking its tongue out at the thought of a vegetarian Thanksgiving.

This is one book that vegetarian parents will want to keep away from their children. In fact, it’s one that all parents should want their kids to avoid. The story is insensitive to the millions of people who opt for a more compassionate or vegetarian Thanksgiving each year.