WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Raising Don by Georgeanne Irvine & Sloth's Treehouse Inn by Carrie Hasler & Christina Ward
REVIEW
Raising Don tells the story of a Baird's tapir baby raised by the staff at the San Diego Zoo after his mother rejected him. The adorable photographs really win the day in this book as the reader watches Don grow up under the tender care of the wildlife care specialists. They feed him, introduce him to water, encourage him to learn to swim, and introduce him to other animals in an effort to help the animals learn to get along. I found it a fascinating glimpse into the work that goes on in zoos to protect and grow the populations of endangered animals. While this tale is told in picture book format, the amount of text makes it more appropriate for older readers, although anyone who loves animals is bound to enjoy the photographs. Not only does the text describe the work done by the caregivers, but Don's personality shines through as well, which makes the book all the more appealing. Additional fun features include actual footprints on the front endpapers as well as a list of suggestions for things readers can do to help wildlife on the back endpapers. The back matter includes threats that tapirs face in the wild as well as additional information about the four species of tapirs and where they live. A fun, inspiring tale for young animal lovers.
REVIEW
Sloth welcomes other animals into his treehouse inn within the Amazon rainforest. Santiago makes room for a boa constrictor, a jaguar and her cubs, as well as numerous frogs, and even a blue morpho butterfly chrysalis. As the forest faces destruction though the treehouse inn becomes more and more crowded. The animals get on each others nerves and Santiago wonders what will happen to them all. After watching the blue morpho butterfly emerge and fly off, Santiago works his way to the top of the tree where he observes people working to replant the forest. This gives him hope and over time the inn's residents spread out once more. The book ends on a hopeful note, reminding readers that saving the Amazon is possible and providing brief descriptions of some of the efforts being made to do it. The rich, colorful illustrations beautifully highlight a few of the many species that make the Amazon River Basin such a remarkable place. The two page spread that requires the reader to turn the book to fully appreciate it shows the wildlife enjoying the treehouse inn from the floor to the tree canopy. The book provides an important reminder that the world is a remarkable place and we are responsible for doing our part to take care of it.
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