The photographs will make this highly appealing to dog lovers who will also find the brief text and short chapters easy to...
Myriad canines loyally serve in a variety of roles aiding their human companions; National Geographic portrays the efforts of 24 working dogs.
This small-format volume—about 6 1/2 inches square—briefly describes the work of five categories of dogs: war dogs from the past; current war dogs; rescue dogs; scent-following dogs (although this chapter is called “Leaders of the Pack”); and police dogs. There is some overlap between sections, with a retired war dog grouped with the scent-following dogs and a couple of dogs with two careers. Each dog portrait includes several attractive color photographs, a description of the dog’s background and training, and information about the dog’s working techniques. Various text boxes that fit nicely into the narrative without interrupting the flow provide information on related topics, such as relief organizations for working dogs, traits of certain dog breeds, military mascots, noncanine working animals, and dog-training information for readers. Occasional captions printed in white on a lime-green background are difficult to read. Although no dogs that were killed in action were included, the hazards of the work are mentioned but not emphasized; two of the war dogs lost legs in Afghanistan, as did one of the handlers.
The photographs will make this highly appealing to dog lovers who will also find the brief text and short chapters easy to manage. (Nonfiction. 9-14)Pub Date: April 12, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4263-2377-5
Page Count: 160
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2016
“In 1875 there were perhaps fifty million of them. Just twenty-five years later nearly every one of them was gone.” The author of many nonfiction books for young people (Bridges; Truck; Giants of the Highways, etc.) tells the story of the American bison, from prehistory, when Bison latifrons walked North America along with the dinosaurs, to the recent past when the Sioux and other plains Indians hunted the familiar bison. Robbins uses historic photographs, etchings, and paintings to show their sad history. To the Native Americans of the plains, the buffalo was central to their way of life. Arriving Europeans, however, hunted for sport, slaughtering thousands for their hides, or to clear the land for the railroad, or farmers. One telling photo shows a man atop a mountain of buffalo skulls. At the very last moment, enough individuals “came to their senses,” and worked to protect the remaining few. Thanks to their efforts, this animal is no longer endangered, but the author sounds a somber note as he concludes: “the millions are gone, and they will never come back.” A familiar story, well-told, and enhanced by the many well-chosen period photographs. (photo credits) (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-689-83025-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
Here is an adventure in a unique setting. The lively text and lovely watercolors document three and a half months of a summer the artist and author spent at the South Pole, as part of the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists & Writers Program. Hooper describes everyday life aboard the research ship Laurence M. Gould, a sturdy orange icebreaker that scientists use to travel between the islands to study the wide variety of animals who come each year to breed and raise their young. An assortment of penguins, elephant seals, giant petrels, huge skuas, and leopard seals hold center stage. Scientists are less important than the serious business of successfully raising young in the short summer season. The author captures the drama of the ice-cold ocean, alive with life: “Swarms of barrel-shaped blue-tinged salps, stuck together in floating chains. Minute creatures with red eyes. Sliding through the water in a curving path like a ribbon.” The artist provides striking paintings of the landscape and the animals in soft washy colors, and quick pencil sketches. The ice is lemon gold with mauve shadows, and the sea a silver gray in the 24-hour day. Animals are expressive and individual. The krill, the tiny shrimp-like creatures that form the backbone of the ocean food chain, appear in luminous glory. The author concludes with a page on global warming, a map of the islands visited, and an index. From cover to cover a personal and informative journey. (Nonfiction. 7-12)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7922-7188-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
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