National Geographic Kids Animal Stories: Heartwarming True Tales from the Animal Kingdom

by Jane Yolen, Jui Ishida (Illustrator)

Overview

Amazing animal stories that span the centuries come to life in this beautifully written and illustrated book. Some are sweet, some funny, some surprising, but all are emotionally powerful — the Capitolene geese who saved the Roman empire, Balto the Alaskan sled dog, Smoky the Bear, the passenger pigeon of WWI Cher Ami, and the latest internet sensation Christian the lion. A collection such as this comes along only once in a generation, full of heartwarming tales that families will read, re-read, and remember.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426317255
Publisher:	National Geographic Society
Publication date:	10/14/2014
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1050L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 18 Years

About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, JANE YOLEN now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, when she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother.

JUI ISHIDA, born in Taiwan, was raised in Japan. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design, Ishida has had an illustrious career as an accomplished children's book illustrator.  Her unique style has been praised for its exquisite color and design.

Editorial Reviews

10/06/2014
Yolen and her children present 19 true stories about unusual animals. While anchored in reality, the vibrant storytelling and Ishida’s bold, posterlike acrylics occasionally invoke the feeling of folktales, as in the story of a flock of sacred geese that inadvertently aided besieged Roman soldiers in 390 B.C.E. Animals well-established in popular culture—Pale Male, Owen and Mzee, Seabiscuit, and Christian the lion, among them—join less familiar accounts, including one about an orphaned seal pup that learned to utter several phrases, including “How are ya?” and “Come over here,” in a thick Maine accent. Sidebars provide historical, scientific, and social context, and moments of humor, warmth, and surprise run throughout this collection. All ages. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

This charming compilation of animal stories gives young readers a great variety of stories to “ooh” and “ahh” over. The variety of animals—from hawk to sled dog, pigeon to elephant, tortoise to orca—and the time frames in which the stories are found—390 B.C to May 2012—as well as the variety of countries—China to Kenya to the forests of New Mexico—provide a story for everyone. Included are the more familiar names like Balto the sled dog who helped to save the children of Nome, Alaska, in 1925, Keido the Orca who became famous after starring in “Free Willy,” and Hotfoot Teddy who became the first Smokey the Bear. But there are also amazing stories about the classically trained Balanchine Dancing Elephants, Lonesome George (the last tortoise of his kind), and pigs Butch and Sundance nicknamed the Tamworth Two. An excellent timeline at the end of the book, along with a map placing each story as well as a short biography of each animal provides additional information. The book also houses one of the most extensive recourse and further reading sections that I have ever seen in a children’s text, but is absolutely excellent for parents or teachers who would like to provide more information to interested younger readers. I would consider this an excellent resource for any elementary teacher. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D.; Ages 7 to 12.

Children's Literature - Jean Boreen

12/01/2014
Gr 2–4—Readers will appreciate this dynamically written collection of inspiring true animal stories. These quick, satisfying reads are accompanied by factual sidebars (for instance, the tale of Washoe, a chimp who was taught sign language by scientists, also contains material on Nim Chimpsky, another chimpanzee who learned language). The authors have selected 19 tales, including the story of famed racehorse Seabiscuit; Keiko, the orca featured in the film Free Willy; Greyfriar's Bobby, a terrier who mourned at his owner's gravesite for years; Owen and Mzee, respectively a hippopotamus and a tortoise in Kenya who bonded during the tsunami; and Lonesome George, a tortoise who was the last of his subspecies. The gentle, digitally enhanced acrylic illustrations are attractive, though they lean toward the saccharine. One story recounts how sled dogs, including Balto, carried medicine through a treacherous snowstorm to save the children of Nome, AK, from life-threatening diphtheria; however, the art depicts doggy smiles, light snow, and an easy terrain. The back matter is valuable, including a map pinpointing the animals' locations, a chronology, character listing, and an author's note. Readers will enjoy this compendium and may even be motivated to seek out additional information on their favorites.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

School Library Journal

"This engaging large-format volume offers 19 surprising, amusing, and endearing stories of real animals doing unusual things...Well suited to reading alone or reading aloud to younger children, this handsome book is a treasury of highly enjoyable animal stories." - Starred Review from Booklist

"Moments of humor, warmth, and surprise run throughout this collection." —Publishers Weekly

"Readers will appreciate this dynamically written collection of inspiring true animal stories. These quick, satisfying reads are accompanied by factual sidebars...Readers will enjoy this compendium and may even be motivated to seek out additional information on their favorites." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher