Books on Animals

I’m surrounded by books. I think we have books in every room in my house. The ones in my office are pet- and wildlife- related. I inherited my love of books from my dad, who passed away earlier this year. He had books in front of books on his bookshelves. My mom started out as a reading teacher, and my son, who is nine, takes books to play dates. My husband is a reader too.

The first book I want to review, Wesley the Owl, is from my dad’s collection. Written by Stacey O’Brien, Wesley the Owl is a love story of sorts–a love story between a girl and her owl.

Stacey, who works as a biologist, found Wesley on Valentine’s Day in 1985. He was a born with an injured wing, which meant he could not survive in the wild. This heartwarming memoir tells the story of how Stacey nurtured Wesley and he in return helped her through a life threatening illness. Yes, parts of it will make you cry, and other parts will make you laugh out loud.

I loved that Stacey figured out that over Wesley’s lifetime she procured 28,000 mice for his diet. She also talks about Caltech’s research community where she worked. It seems that she and other biologists brought their birds to work. Visitors were surprised by the free flying birds overhead. The book retails for $15 and is published by Simon and Shuster.

If Dogs Ruled the World

Haint is inspired by Joy's love of weimaraners.

Joy Ward is a blogger, author and animal activist.  Her book Haint is a sort of love story about Weimaraners who are in charge. The book is set in the future and humans look to these beautiful dogs for guidance.

What I love about the book is that Joy understands this breed.  Artist William Wegman, who wrote the forward, says, “If you live with Weimaraners as I do, if you were raised with Weimaraners as Joy Ward was, in no time they begin to cast a spell on you. Gray becomes colorful. They invade your mind and tell you all sorts of things leading you to construct imaginary worlds.”

Joy has constructed a world in which Weimaraners lead, and as William Wegman says, “that’s a good thing.” Haint is available in stores and online.

My Sanctuary: A Place I Call Home

Doreen Ingram is on a mission to educate and entertain children about chimpanzees. A portion of the sales from her book, My Sanctuary: A Place I Call Home, will be donated to Chimp Eden, a sanctuary for chimps. Chimp Eden and the chimpanzees in her book are based on fact; however, it is told in the voice of Joao, a chimp who has been rescued and lives in Chimp Eden in South Africa. Joao is the oldest known living chimp in South Africa.

This chapter book is ideal for nine to fourteen year olds. My son recommended it to his friends.  What I like about it is that it gives kids and adults insight into the habits of chimpanzees, and it educates without being preachy.  The book retails for $17.50 and is endorsed by Jane Goodall.