Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts

George, Jean Craighead; Merrill, Christine Herman

3.73

15 ratings by Goodreads

9780060215446: Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts

ISBN 10: 0060215445 ISBN 13: 9780060215446

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1994

Ten remarkable animals that displayed unusual bravery, intelligence, or perseverance include Balto, the medicine-bearing Arctic sled dog, and Koko, the gorilla who learned sign language. By the author of Julie of the Wolves.

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From Kirkus Reviews:

Well-known naturalist and author George writes an inspiring celebration of ten beloved animals and the feats that made them famous. Taking time off from writing YA nature mysteries (most recently, The Fire Bug Connection, 1993), George tells the stories of such heroes and heroines as Balto, the sled dog who helped carry a consignment of antitoxin to a subarctic town suffering an epidemic of diphtheria; Smokey Bear, the US Forest Service mascot who, before becoming a cartoon bear in a forest ranger's hat, was a real bear cub who survived a fire in New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest; and the three gray whales who were iced-in at Point Barrow, Alaska, two of whom were led to safety in 1988 by an international team of scientists and concerned citizens. The most amazing story here is about Koko, the gorilla who learned enough sign language to say, among other things, ``Stupid devil devilhead.'' But there is something in all the tales, each of which is wonderfully illustrated by Merrill's paintings and told by George with grace and sensitivity. (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright �1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-5-An uneven potpourri of 10 rather abrupt narratives about a variety of memorable animals, ranging from the sled dog, Balto, who won international fame in 1925 for leading the final laps in a life-saving mission, to a trio of gray whales trapped by Alaskan ice in 1988. Also included are a cat who followed her owners 1,500 miles to their new home; Smokey Bear; a pair of eagles; an elusive mustang; Meriwether Lewis's dog; a blind workhorse; Koko, the gorilla who speaks sign language; and the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. While some of these creatures truly warm the heart with their pluck, diligence, and intelligence, most of the stories are so tightly encapsulated they leave readers dissatisfied. They do not live up to George's brief but emphatic preface (or to her many other fine titles). The handsome oil paintings are quite pleasing and are accompanied by a scattering of black-and-white sketches. In all, the book feels like polished notes for a more ambitious work.
Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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