Friday, April 24, 2009

Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff et al
















1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hatkoff, Isabella, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. 2006. OWEN & MZEE: THE TRUE STORY OF A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP. Ill. Peter Greste. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439829739

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Isabella Hatkoff was a six year old girl when she saw a photo of Owen (a hippo) & Mzee (a 130 year old tortoise). She persuaded her father to help her write a book and the rest is history. The amazing saga of a young Owen finding Mzee to be his "replacement" mom is a heartwarming reminder that loss can be replaced with hope...no matter the species.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Told just as much with photographs as with words, this story simply transcends a human's knowledge of wild animals. Children are very appreciative of and concerned about animals. But Isabella takes that one step further by doing something about it.

Kids that read this or are exposed to it get inspired by Isabella. For elementary kids, there are a lot of words, so careful planning needs to take place if used with younger children.

Such an interesting and unexpected story. We have shows on television that depict hunting and animals on the attack. This is definitely a nice change of pace. It it fascinating to read this story and see how the odds are overcome and two contrasting animals can develop such a friendship. Would that we, as a human race, could learn to get along as well.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH: "While (this book) could be featured in any elementary-level natural history collection, teachers and educators shouldn't miss the opportunity to use it as an example of unusual friendships either. Peter Greste's photos compliment the story of an orphaned baby hippo and a 130-year-old giant tortoise who form an unusual friendship in Southeast Asia"
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-157589096.html

* Starred review in DISNEY FAMILY: "Kids will love the story of two giant animals becoming friends. They will likely coo over pictures of Owen tickling Mzee's neck, or the two giants sleeping next to one another. There are a lot of details and pictures about Owen's rescue and the animal sanctuary workers -- and kids might be anxious to get to the stuff about the animals' friendship.."
http://family.go.com/entertainment/article-csm-117623-book-review--owen---mzee-t/#

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