Caring for Cheetahs

by Rosanna Hansen Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

Overview

There is no animal in the world that can run faster than a cheetah. Yet no matter how quickly they run from trouble, cheetahs may not roam the African plains forever. They have lost much of their habitat to farmland, and some are killed by farmers who worry about their livestock. But cheetahs have important friends-like Dr. Laurie Marker and the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. The CCF saves injured and orphaned cheetahs that would die if they were left in the wild. They even have a tame cheetah named Chewbaaka! With the CCF helping to preserve these amazing cats, the 12,000 or so left in the world have a fighting chance to survive. Veteran publisher, author, and editor Rosanna Hansen-who spent time working at the CCF-shares the fascinating story of cheetah preservation in this book young readers will find irresistible. ". a positive message to students about unique ways to care for the environment and the creatures who inhabit it."-Children's Literature

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 3–5
Meet Chewbaaka, an ambassador for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. He is the subject of this book and has charmed many visitors, school groups, and area farmers. Chewbaaka is a rescued cheetah, raised with humans, and has a powerful purr. However, it is Laurie Marker, Time magazine's Hero of the Planet, who is responsible for his success story. Her research, PR work, and guidance have changed the cheetah's survival rates. In addition to bits of information about the animal's eating habits, size, and lifespan, Hansen, who worked for the CCF, also outlines the organization's methodology, care, and programming. Readers go along with Dr. Marker to rescue a baby cheetah, walk into the veterinary surgery to see a life saved, and observe a successful cheetah release. Well-conceived placement of the text and photographs with CCF's trademark side-strip of cheetah fur make the pages pop, but part of the report feels like "what Hansen did on her summer vacation" because of the short, choppy sentences. Overall, though, this is an effective photo journal of an African adventure and a CCF publicity piece outlining its work. It shows progress against ignorance and destruction as area farmers are educated to the real versus perceived threats to the cheetah and are given specially trained dogs to protect their goats. While there are many other books about cheetahs, this is the only one about the CCF in action.
—Nancy CallCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

"Like the best conservation stories, this beautiful photo-essay explores the animal-human connection and the urgency of the work to save the fastest land animals on earth. . . . Fans of books by Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey will identify with Laurie Marker, founder of the CCF, where science and research combine with tough love." --Booklist

"Beautifully designed. . . . This should turn not only cheetah fans but animal lovers of all sorts into budding advocates." --Kirkus Reviews

"While there are many other books about cheetahs, this is the only one about the CCF in action." --School Library Journal

"[T]he multitude of pictures show a magnificent cast of highly photogenic cats that will . . . absorb reader attention." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Book

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170558391
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/15/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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