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Synopsis
With a dramatic first-person narrative and close-up photography that brings kids into the thick of the action, National Geographic photographer Robert B. Haas gives us a rare glimpse into the struggles for survival in the African wilderness. We accompany him in his jeep, camera primed and ready to react. With stories and photographs that portray actual events, we wait patiently to spot leopard cubs coming out of their cave to play; we are charged by protective adult elephants who surround a new-born; we move side-by-side with a clan of wild dogs as they hunt impalas.
All the stories in the book are intimate, engaging, and true. Haas shares his work with readers, teaching the key lessons that all wildlife photographers live by: patience, persistence, and an intense interest in animals. "When we are out there, we are working inside a world that is both fascinating and historic." This beautiful and inviting book draws readers into Haas’s passion for Africa, for conservation, and for finding harmony between the actions of humans and the survival of wild animals.
African Critters is a wonderful holiday gift for animal lovers of all ages, a valuable sourcebook for school reports, and an essential addition to any animal book collection.
Children's Literature
A photographer recounts his adventures taking pictures of African animals in this book. He begins by presenting a series of wonderful, close-up photographs of a leopard mother raising her cubs. Brief facts about leopards appear in accompanying small boxes, and an exciting true story about each featured animal is presented. After leopards, Mr. Haas covers elephants, wild dogs, lions, hippos, and rhinos, as well as smaller creatures like the dung beetle. The book is published by National Geographic, so it is easy to admire the lush photographs and the author is well-qualified in African wildlife photography. Since his stories are set in specific Africa locations, a small map would have aided readers in understanding where the stories take place. In addition, some of the vocabulary terms may not be familiar to middle school readers, and some of the smaller images are confusing to identify. Still, Mr. Haas does provide a good index and a thorough list of the references he consulted for the book. The attractive photographs and the author's enthusiasm for his work make up for some of the book's deficiencies. Elementary and middle school readers will enjoy the photographs and begin to develop an understanding of wildlife. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk