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'These animals are really something!' said a man in a business suit. 'Especially the big one. That Barnum has a real stubborn streak.'
'Camels always do,' said Cameron.
From School Library Journal:
Grade 1-3–A story set in 1862 during the Cariboo gold rush. When not panning for gold with his father, Cameron spends all of his free time reading about camels and dreaming about one day crossing the ocean to see one. Amazingly, the camels come to him when a businessman imports a herd, thinking that they could be used to transport supplies. Unfortunately, Mr. Laumeister knows very little about the animals and is unprepared for the problems that arise. Cameron, with the help of his patient and understanding father, ends up taking care of the Dromedary Express and uses all of his knowledge to help the camels stay healthy and fit into their new surroundings. Still, even with the boy's bright ideas, the venture can't be saved and, in the end, he must make a difficult decision. While Cameron is a fictional character, the story behind the camel train is true, and a useful author's note explains its origins. Charko's muted, detailed illustrations have an old western flair to them, and the antics and expressions of the camels crowded together within the frames add a lot of fun to the thoughtful text. In addition to appealing to animal enthusiasts, this picture book highlights an interesting piece of Canada's past and makes a great introduction to historical fiction.–Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA
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