DAISY ROTHSCHILD: The Giraffe That Lives With Me

by Betty Leslie-Melville ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 2, 1987

A chatty, sometimes treacly account of capturing and raising Rothschild giraffes in Nairobi, Kenya. While conservationists may object to the notion of treating wild animals as house pets and to the general anthropomorphic tone here, young readers will find the first-person narrative engaging and the full-color photos appealing. In an attempt to protect endangered giraffes from poachers, the author has a young giraffe captured and released on her property. Daisy becomes a part of the family, riding in the minibus, poking her nose into the breakfast room for meals, and kissing carrots from her owners' lips. Full-page photos show Daisy eating nasturtiums in the garden, making friends with a plastic inflated giraffe, and attempting to climb into the house. Daisy is soon so attached to Jock, the author's husband, that she is miserable when he goes to work, so Marion, a three-week-old male giraffe from the same herd, is captured to become part of ""Giraffe Manor."" The author discusses the establishment of The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife, which captures wildlife and releases them in protected areas. She currently runs an educational nature center in Nairobi, where African children can see and touch animals, and learn more about conservation. Indexed.

Pub Date: Oct. 2, 1987

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 42

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1987

Categories: CHILDREN'S