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 JESSICA ALMY

The other day, my 6-year-old was slumped over Sylvia Plath, moping. Before you assume she’s terribly precocious or that I’m semi-negligent in giving my child depressing books, however, let me direct you to a recent article on Brain Pickings about obscure children’s books by famous “adult” lit authors.

It’s true, Sylvia Plath wrote a children’s book. (I could have sworn Plath’s book was on Brain Pickings’ list — it’s not. Apparently, the list just inspired me to dig deeper. Of course, none of this explains my kiddo’s moping either, but that’s neither here nor there, so back to the book.)

Plath penned The It-Doesn’t-Matter Suit, a strange tale about a boy who lives in an alpine village and longs for a suit. One day, his family receives a package with the name of the addressee obscured, and so when they open it to discover that it contains … drumroll, please … a suit, the father and each of the boys tries it on, from largest to littlest. The suit is dismissed by one person after the other, each of whom worries about whether its color (mustard-yellow) and texture (woolly) are appropriate for the activity he enjoys most, from skiing and bicycling to hunting and fishing. Finally, our protagonist tries on the suit, and it’s perfect. He wears it around the village, and he is able to accomplish each of the activities that the previous wearers had in mind — plus, to his delight, all the dogs and cats follow him around.

If your family is vegetarian or vegan for ethical reasons, I’m sure your ears already pricked up at the mention of hunting and fishing. The book does depict a gun, a boy hooking a fish, and a fox being led out of the forest with a leash (?!). Each family will have to decide whether the depiction of these activities, which ranges from matter-of-fact to bizarre, is appropriate for them.

This quirky book is geared to kids ages 5 to 8.

Review By HOMA WOODRUM

This book tells the story of a real life dog named Fred who goes from a non-veg home to a vegan one when his caretaker, Gertie, becomes too ill to care for him.

A large portion of the story sets up how Fred prefers people food over dog food but does not like peas, even spitting out the pea from a chicken pot pie while an in-home nurse visits the elderly Gertie. With so much set up, I was surprised that the book quickly resolved when Fred one day decided he liked fresh peas from the garden.  Though the book indicates that his sudden affection for peas relates both to his bravery and to his physical similarity to a cow, I didn’t really understand the impetus for the change, nor is it particularly helpful for families working through aversions to particular foods.  Still, the resolution — “He ate the pea…and now Fred loves PEAS!” – may encourage some kids to try their peas.

The illustrations are a little stark but sweet and you can feel that this book was a labor of love.  The book concludes with a photo of the real Fred and a loving note from the author in her mother’s memory. There is also a recipe for pasta with a peanut butter sauce and peas but it was not anything we could test due to food allergies.

Some vegans will smile at the description of the vegan family who takes care of Fred — “‘Vegan’ meant that they do not eat or use anything made from animals. They love animals so much that they regularly go to the country to visit cows, chickens, pigs, lambs, and other animals. There were six frogs, four cats, one dog and a girl named Lauren in the family, along with her parents of course.” Still, the unresolved questions raised by illness, an in-home nurse, and the disappearance of Gertie can be confusing and upsetting for children. The story would be more suited for a chapter book for older kids, so that the themes could be fleshed out for discussion. I know my daughter was most worried about where Gertie went and why Fred had to leave her. I do realize this is meant as a true to life tale, and thus creative storytelling can be slightly limited, but there are too many themes at play for it to be ready for the inquisitive picture book crowd.

Review By JENNIFER KALI

I like the idea of this book. Eight-year-old Amanda uses her IMAGINATION to pretend that she is president. When she is president, she and her dog Coolidge will have the run of the White House, attending state dinners and meeting with the troops. She won’t have any problems with public speaking, because as her mom always says, Amanda loves to talk. Her parents will be so proud watching her on TV. She will spend her time talking about the issues that matter the most –kids, animals, seniors, the environment, and many others. Her pesky older brother will finally apologize for being mean and ask for a cabinet position but she’ll tell him that she has to think it over. And at the end of each day, she and her dog will sleep together in Abraham Lincoln’s bed.

I say that I like the idea of this book because it seems like a nice book. A young girl dreams of being president without any mention in the book that women have never done this before. The issues that she cares about are issues that are important to me, including animal rights. But the book doesn’t have flow. The rhymes are forced (e.g., sweeties rhymed with meetings). And I don’t care for the pictures. The illustration is just not my style, so I try not to look at the images as I read the book.

When all is said and done, we will keep this book because the pros outweigh the cons. Girls should dream of being president and they should consider the issues that are most important to them (like animal rights). But next time, let’s do a little better.

Ages 4-8.

Review By CAROLYN M. MULLIN

Who doesn’t love a John Muir story? Every year that I visit the always impressive and stupefying Yosemite, I make it a point to attend one of the monologues put on by Lee Stetson. I don’t want to call him an impersonator per se; he’s far too talented for that, but I suppose actor might be appropriate. He’s a dead ringer for Muir and talks in this quaint, pioneer-like tone, something that harkens images of Muir’s treks in the rugged wilderness cloaked in his solitude. I highly recommend getting a ticket yourself for his show, if you’re ever out this way. If not, you’ll enjoy the tale of Stickeen, one that was certainly new to me, but apparently was Muir’s favorite to tell.

Donnell Rubey serves as an interpreter of sorts in presenting Muir’s languid, verbose and antiquated recounting of the tale to children, but she stays true to Muir’s style and knack for storytelling. The plot is a simple, but highly dramatic one. Stickeen was a little dog (named after an Indian tribe) lent to Muir for one his travels in the glacier-filled world of Alaska. One particular journey that took the better part of a day led them over crevasses, deep canyon-like cavities in the glaciers (let’s just say you don’t want to fall down into one of the bottomless-looking pits). While most were passable there was one that proved quite treacherous, one that even stopped eager beaver Stickeen from attempting to cross. It was too late to turn back, but Muir and Stickeen were uncertain if they would even be able to cross safely.  How did they do? You’ll have to read to find out.

This book is an absolute gem. Christopher Canyon’s illustrations are simply lifelike. I could just see myself reach through the book to touch Muir’s coarse, wiry, frigid beard or feel the snowflakes hitting my face (I sure am glad to live in Southern California !) as I watch the mountains giants in the background. Equally effective in this book is the presentation of a unique, temporary friendship between a man and a dog, a friendship that dramatically changed in the face of adversity. The short-lived nature of their friendship will have children questioning what is in the best interest of our companion animals, a question they should always entertain.

Ages 6+.

Review By ROBYN MOORE

I love Pele’s Forever Home, and the fact that it’s a true story about an important issue makes me love it even more. The story focuses on Pele, a greyhound who was born into the cruel world of dog racing, where animals are forced to run around tracks for the sake of human “entertainment.”

Each night before bedtime, Pele and the other dogs dream of a better life— a life with a mom and dad and a place where they could “run and play and roam.” The other dogs get adopted one by one, leaving sad Pele behind. But his day finally comes when a nice couple adopts him! After many happy years, the couple decides to adopt another greyhound named Lucy, and together they both live peaceful and free in their loving home.

I’m always thrilled when I see a book on the market that not only portrays animals in a good light, but one that also shines a spotlight on an animal-abusing industry. This book does just that; it tackles the dog racing industry in a kid-appropriate way. The book is a tool that can serve as a starting point, and it is up to the parents to continue the conversation.

Dog Racing is a dirty profit-driven business in which the animals pay the price. When not on the racetrack, dogs spend virtually all of their time confined in small cages barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around. They’re trucked across the country on grueling road trips, forced to race in extreme weather conditions, suffer serious injuries and thousands are killed each year when they usefulness wears out and they are no longer profitable. It’s no wonder Pele was dreaming of a forever home!

The back of the book includes Pele’s bio, along with a beautiful full-page color photo of him. There is also information about Grey2K USA — a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cruelty of dog racing. A percentage of the proceeds from this book will go to Grey2K USA, which is another great reason to go out and buy this book!

I highly recommend this book. Kids will love it because it’s about a sweet dog who finds happiness, and parents will love it because it’s a heartwarming story that addresses an important issue. It’s the definition of a happy ending! It’s one of those books on the shelf that you won’t mind reading over and over again to your kids.

Ages 4-9.

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 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

Dishearteningly, a recent survey indicated that more than three-quarters of adults in the United States are not educated about the origins of most puppies available for sale in pet stores. A Home for Dakota, a title from a Vegbooks favorite publisher Gryphon Press, is the story of how one small breeder was rescued and given a chance at really living life.

A Home for Dakota opens with an illustration of caged dogs and puppies in a dark room. Dog Number 241 looks straight at the reader as the text discusses her dreadful living conditions. Describing her experiences from her canine perspective, Number 241 is rescued and given the name Dakota. With the unconditional support of her foster mom, Dakota slowly and warily learns about being a dog whose world has suddenly expanded beyond the confines of a small cage.

When it comes time for Dakota to move from her foster home to a permanent placement, there is a snag: the girl with whom Dakota is supposed to live does not want her. Dakota, ravaged by her ill treatment as a breeder, is still missing her fur. Sweetie, the girl who is to be her new companion, has also lost her hair due to treatment for serious illness. The author and illustrator both do a striking job of portraying Sweetie’s pain in seeing another vulnerable creature as well as Dakota’s pain in being spoken to harshly and rejected. “I want a perfect dog!” Sweetie cries.

Soon enough, a pink-hatted Sweetie returns, full of remorse over her treatment of the timid dog and hopeful about the future. Dakota is still nervous, but with her foster mom’s reassurance, she sets out for her new home. Sweetie quickly falls in love with Dakota, the feeling is mutual, and, as Dakota points out to the reader, they both end up growing their hair back.

A Home for Dakota is an excellent way to introduce young children to the complexities of puppy mills and the poignant issues surrounding them, including the importance of foster placement. When the children in your life are ready to hear specifics of why you encourage rescue and adoption of companion animals, please check out A Home for Dakota. You and your child will fall in love with Dakota and the humans that offer her a chance to truly live.

Ages 5 and up.

Review By JESSICA ALMY

I’m charmed by Carole Boston Weatherford’s picture book on how First Dog Bo became part of the First Family. Living in Washington, DC, my family and I are intimate with the president’s motorcade, helicopters, and even the National Christmas Tree on the south lawn. But the man himself? We know as much about him and his family as anyone with a cable connection. So we enjoyed this peek into the president’s life from the perspective of his daughters, and of course the heartwarming story of how Bo found his home.

The real-life details of the First Family’s search for a White House dog irked me a little when they were in the news. Remember how the  Obamas promised to rescue a dog from a shelter, but ultimately did not? Fortunately, this book does a good job of sticking to the facts without glamorizing breeders or downplaying the importance of shelters.

People concerned with animal rights will note that the book states, in small type under a portrait, that George W. Bush “owned” a terrier. And in recounting the promises of presidents over the years, the book also describes that Calvin Coolidge promised to put “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” (Fortunately, the bird pictured is still alive, and the people holding the pot appear clueless that they’re supposed to eat the poor bird.)

All in all, this is a fun read about the White House for kids ages 3-7.