The Great Rhino Rescue the Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos Saving the Southern White Rhinos

Gr 2-5--Opening with a harrowing situation where a mother rhino is simply living and protecting her baby before being struck by a poacher, Markle's latest does not pull any punches to convey the extreme danger of the southern white rhino becoming extinct. From the beginning scene to informative sections that expertly explain what a dire situation poaching has become for the rhinos, readers will be informed and enthralled throughout the fact-filled narrative. This title makes for an excellent introduction to endangered species and extinction's effects on the environment by explaining why poachers do what they do and providing a detailed look at what lengths wildlife groups and scientists have gone to in order to save these creatures. There are also details about the life of a rhino, from how their young are raised to what their horns are made of. The pictures are clear, large, and well organized on the page. VERDICT An excellent purchase for elementary nonfiction collections.--Molly Dettmann, Moore Public Library, OK

"In this companion book to The Great Monkey Rescue (2015) and The Great Penguin Rescue (2017), Markle describes the shrinking population of southern white rhinoceroses. Conservation measures, including laws against the sale of their horns, during the twentieth century had led to increases in the animals' numbers. In 2007, poachers killed 13 rhinos. In 2015, they killed 1,338, the devastating result of a false rumor (spread through Asia) that ground rhino horn cured cancer. Besides discussing history and strategies for saving the southern white rhino, the book introduces a baby and its mother, rangers patrolling rhino habitats, and vets working to save orphaned calves as well as older animals mutilated by poachers. Neither hyping nor downplaying the poachers' cruelty, Markle's clear, matter-of-fact text presents well-researched facts in an organized way and asks readers what 'one thing you would like to be able to add to this timeline in the future.' The book's large format provides plenty of space for the many clear, well-captioned color photos. An informative volume explaining an ongoing conservation crisis."—Booklist