Animal Stories: Heartwarming True Tales from the Animal Kingdom
(National Geographic Kids)

Yolen and her children present 19 true stories about unusual animals. While anchored in reality, the vibrant storytelling and Ishida's bold, posterlike acrylics occasionally invoke the feeling of folktales, as in the story of a flock of sacred geese that inadvertently aided besieged Roman soldiers in 390 B.C.E. Animals well-established in popular culture--Pale Male, Owen and Mzee, Seabiscuit, and Christian the lion, among them--join less familiar accounts, including one about an orphaned seal pup that learned to utter several phrases, including "How are ya?" and "Come over here," in a thick Maine accent. Sidebars provide historical, scientific, and social context, and moments of humor, warmth, and surprise run throughout this collection. All ages. (Oct.)

Gr 2-4--Readers will appreciate this dynamically written collection of inspiring true animal stories. These quick, satisfying reads are accompanied by factual sidebars (for instance, the tale of Washoe, a chimp who was taught sign language by scientists, also contains material on Nim Chimpsky, another chimpanzee who learned language). The authors have selected 19 tales, including the story of famed racehorse Seabiscuit; Keiko, the orca featured in the film Free Willy; Greyfriar's Bobby, a terrier who mourned at his owner's gravesite for years; Owen and Mzee, respectively a hippopotamus and a tortoise in Kenya who bonded during the tsunami; and Lonesome George, a tortoise who was the last of his subspecies. The gentle, digitally enhanced acrylic illustrations are attractive, though they lean toward the saccharine. One story recounts how sled dogs, including Balto, carried medicine through a treacherous snowstorm to save the children of Nome, AK, from life-threatening diphtheria; however, the art depicts doggy smiles, light snow, and an easy terrain. The back matter is valuable, including a map pinpointing the animals' locations, a chronology, character listing, and an author's note. Readers will enjoy this compendium and may even be motivated to seek out additional information on their favorites.--Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA