Suryia and Roscoe: The True Story of an Unlikely Friendship

by Bhagavan Antle, Thea Feldman (As Told by), Barry Bland (Illustrator), Bhagavan Antle (Illustrator)

Overview

Who can imagine an orangutan being friends with a dog? Is it even possible?

With Suryia and Roscoe it is!

Dogs and orangutans rarely meet, and when they do, they are naturally shy around each other. But when Suryia the orangutan first meets Roscoe, a stray dog, they become best friends from the start.

Set on a preserve for rare animals, The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.) in South Carolina, here is a true story of a remarkable friendship between two unforgettable animals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805093162
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	04/26/2011
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.14(w) x 9.44(h) x 0.38(d)
Lexile:	AD430L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Dr. Bhagavan "Doc" Antle is the founder and director of T.I.G.E.R.S., The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species and the RSF, The Rare Species Fund. He is widely recognized as one of the foremost animal trainers in the world.

Thea Feldman has written and edited hundreds of children's books. She has also worked at the Wildlife Conservation Society where she researched and wrote about the animals in the Society's five urban wildlife parks in New York City.

Barry Bland started his photographic career as a sports photographer and now specializes in animal based editorial features. His work has been published in hundreds of national newspapers and magazines around the world.

Editorial Reviews

After meeting orangutan Suryia at a South Carolina wildlife preserve, stray dog Roscoe never left. The two enjoy swimming, wrestling and playing a deux.” —People magazine

“The endearing photographs might well make you want to go out and save an orangutan — or a stray pup.” —Los Angeles Times

“Irresistible and charming, this story of the friendship between a stray dog and an orangutan in a wildlife preserve in South Carolina will delight family members of all ages. Gorgeous photos accompany the tale of their meeting and instant bond.” —Kiwimagonline.com

“The images of Suryia hugging Roscoe, swimming with him in a pool or generously offering him a banana will make you smile.” —Columbus Dispatch

“The engaging animals will appeal to children.” —School Library Journal

“Fans of cute animal books will be delighted.” —Booklist

“Young animal lovers . . . will be eager to read about this unlikely pairing between a stray dog and an orangutan in a wildlife preserve . . . . The clean, photo album–like design, high-interest topic, accessible text and captivating images will likely garner Suryia and Roscoe legions of new friends.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 2—Suryia, an orangutan, lives on a South Carolina preserve called The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species. One day he was out walking with his friend, Bubbles, an elephant, when a stray dog came out of the woods and bounded up to him. The two bonded immediately and became best pals. Other preserve inhabitants, like the tigers, pumas, lions, leopard, gators, turtles, and tapirs are all shown in the engaging photographs. There are brief glimpses of the wildlife refuge, but Suryia and Roscoe take center stage as their friendly affection is documented again and again. Several portraits of the animals have no backgrounds and are decorative rather than informative. Brief text is smoothly paced and explains how the animals met and the relationship they developed. They are shown taking walks, wrestling, eating, and sleeping; they also swim together, which is extremely unusual because orangutans don't normally swim. The photos capture moments that show the keeper's careful attention to safety, such as Suryia wearing a life vest in the water, and another of the orangutan leading his friend on a leash, which suggests staging. This is a thin tale, but the engaging animals will appeal to children.—Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

School Library Journal