African Critters (Animals) - Hardcover

Haas, Robert B.; National Geographic Kids

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1426303173 ISBN 13: 9781426303173

Publisher: National Geographic Kids, 2008

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."

About this title

Product Description

Told in the first person and illustrated with dramatic photography that brings kids close to the action, "African Critters" gives readers a glimpse into the life of a wildlife photographer. We are with the author in his jeep, with his camera, and even as he's dressing for bed in the wild. From waiting patiently for leopard cubs to come out of their cave, to play to being charged by elephants who were protecting a new baby, to photographing wild dogs hunting impalas, the stories in this book are both intimate and exciting.

Review

Striking photocollages, most in lush color, illustrate, sometimes problematically, this wildlife photographer's account of adventures in animal preserves in southern Africa. Short chapters describe exciting encounters with leopards, elephants, wild dogs, lions, hyenas, hippos, rhinos and cheetahs, as well as smaller creatures. The first paragraph on each double-page spread begins with a tiny photographic vignette, and the endpapers are composed of a pattern of even smaller photographs of various animals. "Learning About " boxes add further facts. An excellent index identifies the animals in larger pictures, even if unidentified in the text, but readers will search in vain for labels for some of the smaller images. The digitally enhanced composite photographs show the animals in a variety of poses but can be confusing, as when a hyena and her two cubs appear as a much larger family: With composites, the reader can't tell what is real. In an afterword, the author explains his presentation as "artistic license" to represent his emotional experience, but it, like the cover montage, may misrepresent the animals' world. (glossary, index, references) (Nonfiction. 7-12) (Kirkus Reviews) --Kirkus Reviews

About this edition

• Publisher: National Geographic Kids
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1426303173
• ISBN 13: 9781426303173
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176