The Incredible Life of Balto

by Meghan Mccarthy

Most people know the story of Balto, the world famous dog who led his dogsled team through a blizzard to deliver a lifesaving serum to the stricken people of Nome, Alaska, in 1925. Balto shot to instant stardom—a company named dog food after him, a famous sculptor erected a statue of him that stands in Central Park to this day, and the dog even starred in his own Hollywood movie. But what happened to Balto after the hoopla died down? With a lively, informative text and humorous, vibrant illustrations, Meghan McCarthy captures the extraordinary life of Balto beyond his days as a celebrity.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Dogs, Childrens, History, Animals, Biography

40 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Children's book author of many wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the below following. Meghan's books have won the IRA-CBC Children's Choice, ALA Notable, Kirkus Reviews Reviewer's Choice, Booklist Best Books, NYPL 100 Best Books, SLJ Best Books, and so on. Blah blah blah, what Meghan really wants to do is drive really fast and jump in really long grass until she gets grass stains. She'd prefer to remain child-like because children don't have to pay bills.

The Wall Street Journal described Meghan’s art as “goofy yet somehow dignified.” Meghan is much the same way. By the age of 40 she plans to wear a boa at all times and on all occasions.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Meghan McCarthy. Her books are engaging, entertaining and informative. And, even if her illustration style isn't my personal favorite, I have to say that those big-eyed characters she creates are getting more winsome with each book I read. In this book, McCarthy tells the story of Balto, the famous sled dog that helped bring much-needed serum from a town near Anchorage to Nome, Alaska where a diphtheria epidemic threatened many lives in 1925.

This is a story of courage, and there is a happy ending, mostly. The serum reached the needy people of Nome, and Balto and the other sled dogs, along with their musher Gunnar Kaasen, became heroes. But, McCarthy wants to write the whole story, not leave it at that. "Many children's books about Balto tout him as a hero, but none mentions the fact that he was [later] essentially abandoned, sold off, and shown as a live attraction at a dime show," writes McCarthy in her Afterward, "What inspired me about Balto's story was the happy ending after all his struggles. I knew that the whole story needed to be told."

Indeed, it was cheering to read how many of the people who read about Balto's heroism contributed money so he and the other sled dogs could be purchased from the poor conditions of the dime show and given a beautiful space at the Brookside Zoo. However, much of this book is so sad! Not only did Balto and the sled dogs face deplorable conditions when they were sold (imagine the poor dog, going from having his statue erected in Central Park and staying in famous hotels to being mistreated in a dime show!!!), the book also mentions how several sled dogs on that fateful journey across Alaska died from burst lungs due to the cold. Sob!!! Truth be told, I'm not sure how much I "liked" this story, but I think it is well told. Also that the afterward is VERY important. Here's why:

McCarthy presents young readers with a very important question, "What do you do when the people you are writing about are no longer alive? Nonfiction authors rely on newspaper articles and books and, most recently, websites to learn about their lives. But how accurate are those sources? Not as accurate as you may think!" She goes into explaining how she had her own "detective work" in figuring out some discrepancies in Balto's story, and provides readers with some ways to make sure their research is reliable. The ideas she poses for young readers are great! "What if you are going way back in time? What if you are researching an event such as a parade instead of something that can be measured? One person might say the parade was great, but someone else might say it was boring. Some things are simply a matter of opinion! And sometimes opinions and facts get blended together, especially when you are dealing with historical events." Wow! Such a vitally important idea to keep in mind when we read--kids and adults alike. She presents a few activities for young readers to try, too.

There is also a selected Bibliography.

ETA: A few reviewers have commented that they are disappointed in McCarthy's illustrations, making Balto look cartoon-y and not like the handsome, majestic creature he was. While I took the style of her illustrations in stride, I do feel that an actual photograph of Balto somewhere in the book would have been a very nice touch.

You can, however, see lots of cute pics of him on McCarthy's website:
http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/balto....

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations and the fact that the book told the "whole" story of Balto, but I found the storytelling itself to be a little dry.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--We all know the story of Balto the sled dog and his successful delivery of medicine to the stricken populace of Nome, Alaska. Balto has been the subject of countless children’s books and movies; however the story usually ends at the finish line.

The Incredible Life of Balto is the first book I’ve encountered that tells the complex story of what happened to Balto after the delivery of the serum. (And the book does touch on the fact that Balto was lucky; some sled dogs perished on the trail when their lungs burst from over-exertion in the freezing weather.) From celebrated canine hero to Vaudeville act to tawdry sideshow attraction to the focus of a nationwide rescue effort, Balto’s story recollects the peaks and valleys faced by many “celebrity” animals. There’s more than a whiff of exploitation here, and it struck me that while Balto had no notion of diphtheria, fame, circus sideshows, or any of the many other roles he played, he was shuffled through them all by a succession of human owners. So, there’s a bit of melancholy in this story that isn’t present in many of the other, breezier retellings. And, this book doesn’t offer up the over-simplistic claim that the famous Iditarod is held in honor of Balto’s heroic run. “Animal People News” notes of the Iditarod, ”It is in actuality more a re-enactment of the All Alaska Sweepstakes race, held annually from 1908 to 1917, than an authentic reprise of the serum run.”

One aspect of this book I did not enjoy was the artwork. It was terrible! Balto and all of his animal and human companions are rendered in a goofy, googly-eyed style more suitable for children’s joke books than historical accounts. Some realism has to be struck between the real Balto and the Disney-esque animated version , but this isn’t it!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any dog or man willing to risk life and limb to trek through snow and ice to bring medicine to the town of Nome Alaska that has fallen to a case of diphtheria, deserves praise and honor of all sorts! That's what this book is about, specifically the lead dog Balto of all (or part) of just such an expedition that occurred in 1925.

But, this book is more about the "what happened after" than the actual event. We learn about Balto's rise to fame, his fall from it, and what happens thereafter.

I appreciate that Mccarthy wanted to highlight the amazing adventure *after* the amazing adventure -- the incredible things that happened to Balto after the trek to Nome, and the effect his heroism had on people all over the country. But, I really do think there needed to be more emphasis on the actual trek to Nome - it felt too glossed over and I wanted more to learn just how brave these wonderful dogs and men really were. Plus, I think it would have made the "what came after" all the more powerful.

In reading the interesting and informative back matter, McCarthy explains how she does research (akin to being "a detective") and how she discovered so many contradicting reports of the actual trek, the dogs and men that took part, and who deserved the credit. Because of this I wonder of that's one of the reasons she didn't spend much time on the actual adventure to Nome, but then, too, I wonder if there shouldn't have been more mention of the other dogs and men that were a part of it, too.

I really liked McCarthy's inclusion of how muddied reports can get, and her ideas for fun activities kids can do to try it out -- a great introduction for kids to learn to analyze everything, and to know that everything is told through someone's perceptions. This back matter is definitely four or five stars!

All in all the book is informative and interesting, but nothing that really captured me. I still love McCarthy's "Astronaut Handbook" best, but this story is still worth reading since it's based on actual events!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but I didn't think that the artwork style worked with this story. It is a "what happened next" book about Balto, the famous sled dog who was celebrated for helping to deliver serum to Nome, Alaska in the 1920s. Of the many dogs and men who made that run possible, Balto was the visible face, with a statue and a silent movie celebrating his heroic efforts in helping stop a diptheria epidemic.
After his celebrity waned, he and the other dogs were sold off for stage and sideshow work, until rescued by a popular campaign. It's nice to learn that part of the story, and the notes in the back of the book will teach kids valuable lessons about researching non-fiction for reports and other writing.
I still didn't like the artwork, though. It felt much too cartoony for the subject matter. I found it distracting to be reading about a life-threatening illness, or dogs dying from the cold, illustrated by cutesy cartoons.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes a talented illustrator is not the best illustrator for her/his own book and this is the case here. The story of Balto goes beyond the Iditarod inspiring run to Nome with the vaccine--what happened next is just as or perhaps even more fascinating. And McCarthy tells that story well. But her own illustrations, cartoonish and full of pop eyed dogs, don't do Balto justice. The cover looks more like an image from a Nicktoon show than the story of a beautiful, brave dog. Disappointing.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author calls Balto one of the greatest American heroes, and if one is comparing him to people like Sonia Sotomayer, one is inclined to agree.  I was slightly familiar with Balto because there have been movies about him (he starred in the first one, actually), and the author does a great job of writing about this dog's incredible life.  As someone who reads a fair amount of books written for children, this book does it right, both with adorable illustrations--Balto is shown as an incredibly adorable dog that just about anyone would want to adopt--as well as thoughtful text.  In fact, in reading this book I found the life of Balto to be similar to that of Free Willy, another animal that was a famous Hollywood star animal who suffered a great deal of abuse and inspired a campaign to free the popular and beloved animal from mistreatment.  Given these parallels, the life of Balto is a reminder that just like human beings, the animals that are involved in show business, especially those who had genuine heroism in their past, were often cast aside and neglected by those who should have appreciated them and honored them.

In this short but well-researched book (the research the author conducted is at the end), the author manages to tell a complex tale of Balto.  Originally a somewhat ordinary and not particularly fast sled dog, Balto led a team of dogs as part of a race against time to provide serum for the town of Nome in dealing with a deadly diphtheria outbreak.  With that mission accomplished, one would think that the heroism and interest of the adorable black/brown dog would be done, but that was not the case.  The heroism of the sled dog led him and his fellow canines to go to Hollywood, where they appeared in film before being sold to a vaudeville and then a sideshow group that sought to make money off of promoting the animals.  Eventually this slow decline in popularity led to Balto being mistreated as part of the sideshow act, and led to a promotion drive on the part of the people of Cleveland to rescue Balto and his fellow dogs from their squalor, which eventually led them to be a part of the Cleveland zoo, beloved by the children there, for the rest of his life.  So not only does Balto end up providing insight about the remoteness of Alaska when it comes to logistics, but also provides some sad commentary on the way that celebrities (even animal ones) are treated in the cruel show business machine.

And it is really the show business lesson that is the most poignant.  Balto is drawn immensely sympathetically, and is an underdog in a literal sense, a lovable but not particularly fast dog whose persistence helps save lives in Alaska and whose experience with superstardom were painful and unpleasant.  Since adorable dogs with big eyes are more sympathetic than the usual post-fame human celebrities, the author is able to give cautionary tales about the sad downward spiral that follows Hollywood fame that hit the reader in a particularly sympathetic place.  And Balto is not an isolated example here, as it is quite likely that there are many animal celebrities who share the sad fate of being used and abused by the system once the studios and executives have made their money and the animal is no longer on the tip of everyone's consciousness.  Not every animal in such a situation was able to attract sympathy.  Mr. Ed the talking horse was euthanized two years after his show was canceled after suffering from kidney problems and other ailments, and Free Willy, like Balto, had to be freed from abuse after bad publicity over his living conditions.  If ever a dog deserved the good life after a celebrity turn, though, it was Balto.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a dog person. Like ‘em fine. Don’t see much particular need to interact with them on a regular basis. Sometimes, though, I'll feel like my life as a children’s librarian would have been easier if I had been a canine fanatic. A large swath of children’s literature each year is dedicated to man’s best friend. This year alone I’ve seen dogs traveling vast distances to be reunited with their loved ones (A Dog’s Way Home), convince kids that they are transformed accountants (The Ogre of Oglefort), and even appear as gallons of orange juice (When Life Gives You O.J.). Nonfiction doggies proliferate as well but I can usually steer clear of them. Unless Meghan McCarthy is involved, of course. Then I’m going to have to see what all the fuss is about. In this particular case, Ms. McCarthy has taken what at first appears to be a well-known story then finds the lesser known tales lurking inside of it. The result is a biography that’s bound to please dog lovers and dog neutrals (like myself) alike.

The year: 1925. The place: Nome, Alaska. The problem: An epidemic of diphtheria was imminent and yet a horrible blizzard was preventing all incoming planes from delivering the much needed serum. The solution: Balto. Sled dogs, you see, were dispatched with the serum on board and Balto was at the head of one of these teams. When Balto’s group missed the next team at the next checkpoint, they were lead onward by Balto until they got to Nome themselves. That’s the story lots of people know. What is less well known is what happened next. Balto was celebrated throughout the States, appearing in movies, on dog food cans, and even earning a statue in Central Park. Sadly, he and his team went on the vaudeville circuit and ended up underfed and neglected. Yet surprisingly the good people of Cleveland banded together to purchase the brave dog and his sled mates. As a result he spent the remainder of his days running around the Brookside Zoo where he, “could relax and enjoy the rest of his life.”

The queen of the amusing nonfiction picture book for young readers, McCarthy’s titles are always remarkable because they cover ground no one else does. Whether it’s the invention of bubble gum or a false report of an alien invasion, McCarthy’s titles are always wholly new. That’s why I was so surprised by her choice to tackle Balto next. As real life heroic dogs go, Balto’s pretty darn well known. Even had a terrible animated film based on his life (has any other real life heroic animal received such an honor?). Yet as it happens the choice to pursue his story after the well-known event was what sets this book apart from the pack (ho ho). By page twelve the book has covered the part of the tale that everyone knows. After that it’s in brand new territory.

The picture book biography is a strange beastie. Your readership, for one thing, consists of a wide range of ages. As a result, some authors figure that it’s a good idea to play it safe. You want to tell an accurate story of the past, but you need to find a way of doing so that doesn’t go into some of the more unpleasant details at length. In this particular case, the mistreatment of Balto and his fellow sled dogs. Sold to a man with a sideshow, McCarthy makes it clear that things look bad for Balto. Yet no one wants to look at abused animals in a picture book, even if it is a true story. McCarthy’s solution is twofold. In the text you actually don’t hear anything about the abuse. All it says is that they were sold and “There Balto and the others were all but forgotten.” Next, there are the pictures where McCarthy is careful to walk a fine line. She shows Balto and another dog against a gray background with thick chains attached to their collars. Balto’s ears droop as he regards an upside down food dish, clearly empty. On the next page Balto watches as the man from Cleveland tries to do business with the sideshow owner. If you look at the dog, you’ll notice that he’s skinnier and mangier than he was in the past. McCarthy even gives one of his ears a half-cocked look, just to make the impression that all is not well. It’s subtle, but in children’s books sometimes you have to be subtle to be both honest and kid appropriate.

Under normal circumstances I don‘t much care for reviewing a work of nonfiction, even a picture book, without seeing the backmatter first. The galley of Balto that I’m reviewing from does not have anything in the accompanying “Author’s Note” at the end yet. Like I say, I usually find this to be a problem, but for Ms. McCarthy I will always make an exception. The reason for this has to do with her track record. By and large, when you pick up a Meghan McCarthy book you pick up a picture book work of nonfiction that has some of the finest end matter in the biz, be it a biography of a hawk, or the finer points of space travel. I once sat in on an American Library Association gathering of their Notables committee where they debated the various attributes of McCarthy’s biography of Charles Atlas Strong Man. The endmatter in that particular book contained some fun exercises that kids could do on their own. Someone on the committee lamented, though, that there weren’t any warning labels that kids could get hurt doing these exercises (which contained all the danger of your average sit-up). This was, to be blunt about it, an inane bone to pick with the book. Ms. McCarthy’s Author’s Notes do not suffer fools. So while I cannot tell you what this book will say in the end, I can at least rest assured in my own mind that whatever it contains, it should be well thought out, well researched, and interested. But, as I say, I did not see it myself to be fair warned.

A picture book work of nonfiction that reads like a picture book work of fiction is a valuable commodity. Subject matter is key, of course, as are intelligent illustrations that engage even as they inform. Meghan McCarthy’s consistently high-quality works make her one of the best nonfiction picture book author/illustrators of the day. Imagine! Writing that’s just as good as the art focusing on subjects everyone wants to know more about. Display this book and expect a hoard of kids who want to know more about the cute dog on the cover. Teaching history was never so easy.

For ages 4 and up.

[Valeria Ayala-Nazario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a dog, Balto, who was once doubted by people on his abilities to a dog leader on a mission to transport medicines during a storm in Alaska. After completing the mission, Balto and the rest of the dogs became celebrities and everyone in the world wanted to praise and meet them. Balto and the rest of the dogs were sold to multiple people many times until people forgot about them. A former owner saw Balto again and wanted to buy him back. They asked for a lot of money for Balto, so the former owner received funds from kids in a school in Cleveland. Balto was back happy and with his owner, who donated him to his teammates.
This book has great diversity in it. Not many states or countries use dogs as transportation. Therefore, this book would be of great help to introduce students to those different topics. Also, to teach children to donate what they can to great causes like the kids in this story did to help Balto and his owner reunite. Also, this book is set a year ago. Therefore, it could serve for students to understand timelines and have an idea of how life was years ago. The illustrations are mainly darker colors, which may not interest students, but the actual drawings and great to tell the story with.

[Brendan White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Incredible Life of BALTO by Meghan McCarthy is a nonfiction book for children ages 3-8. This book is a winner of the Young Readers' Choice Award. The true story centers on a dog named Balto who, in 1925, saved people in Alaska who were sick with diphtheria. During a blizzard, Balto led his dogsled team to deliver lifesaving medicine to the ill. When the country heard about Balto and his heroic efforts, he became a celebrity. Sadly, Balto and his team of dogs were exploited and mistreated. Fortunately, a kind businessman started a collection to buy Balto and his team. The fundraising was successful and Balto and the other dogs were donated to a zoo where they happily lived the rest of their lives.

The history in the book is fascinating. Although the book is nonfiction, it appears like a fictional picture book because the plot and characters seem imagined. Children will admire Balto’s heroism, be happy when his actions are recognized, feel bad for his subsequent broken situation, and become relieved when he is donated to a zoo. Children will appreciate learning about a true story and a real dog. The illustrations in the book are simple, but that’s okay because learning about Balto is the main feature. I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars for introducing children to this interesting, historical story in a heartwarming and empathetic manner. Reviewed on 8/3/17

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Balto was the dog that finished the trek across Alaska to bring the diptheria serum to Nome when the weather was too bad for airplanes to carry it. This book covers that part of the story but then goes on to tell about Balto's life after that famous event. Sadly, it is not all good but it does have a happy ending at least.
I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations, they're not super realistic. (I can't throw too many stones as I'm not the best artist but still...)
My favorite part was the end, after the story was over. The author talks about how to be a nonfiction detective and the work that goes into writing nonfiction. How do you verify facts? How do you recreate events? How do you confirm your sources? This part was excellent!

[SFrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was already aware of the story about Balto and the dog sled teams that rushed the serum to Nome, what I found interesting is the manner in which Meghan McCarthey gathered her facts for the book.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be a book written for children but I really enjoyed reading the after story of Balto.
It saddened me that he was so mistreated for a time and I was thrilled that his story, finally, had a happily ever after ending.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter, disappointing execution. We were not impressed with the artwork, and the story rushed through so many aspects of Balto's life my child was left with more questions than answers.

[Brooke Sherrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book for younger students

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute illustrations that nonetheless convey a true story with a bit of tragedy. A really good portrayal for lower elementary readers.

[Karen Deaner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Incredible Life of Balto by Megan McCarthy is a biography of the Alaskan sled dog who helped deliver serum to the town of Nome during a diphtheria epidemic in January of 1925. With a blizzard raging in the area, the only means of transportation was by dogsled teams. Balto and his team become heroes that save the lives of many people in Alaska.
Megan McCarthy captures the essence of the true story of Balto and presents his biography in this picture book for young readers. The illustrations are acrylic paintings with soft rounded lines and soothing colors that add comfort to the reader in the midst of the storm. The fine illustrations and the simple, honest narrative are the strong elements of this delightful book. This book could be used to teach children about the “detective work” that is required when writing a biography.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 June 2011 THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO by Meghan McCarthy, Knopf, August 2011, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-375-84460-7

THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO is the picturebook true story of a sled dog from Alaska who became amazingly famous; was soon thereafter forgotten and neglected; and was later rediscovered and saved from further neglect and mistreatment thanks to a public fundraising campaign.

Balto was the lead dog on a dogsled team that was instrumental in saving lives in 1925, when a shipment of medicine was desperately needed in blizzard-bound Nome, Alaska to combat a deadly epidemic of diphtheria. With no alternative method of delivery available in those days, Balto led the team of dogs and their owner for many miles through deep, blinding snow to successfully deliver the medicine.

This made Balto famous. He modeled for a statue that still stands in New York City's Central Park, and he was the four-legged star of a silent movie. But then the dogs were sold, first to an owner who presented them in a vaudeville show and, then, to another owner who ran a sideshow and didn't treat them well. Things again turned around for Balto and his teammates when a Cleveland businessman successfully spearheaded a public campaign to buy the dogs and move them to where they would be provided better care.

The danger and daring nature of Balto's historic feat make this an exciting story. Meghan McCarthy has a very recognizable and kid-friendly illustration style that makes this story really fun. Together, these qualities, by themselves, make this a must-have book.

But this is just the beginning of why I choose to write about THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO.

It was Balto's feat and fame that inspired the present-day Iditarod --promoted as "The Last Great Race on Earth" -- in which dogsled teams cover 1,150 miles of Alaskan trails over a couple of weeks. Part of the Iditarod race covers the same trails that Balto followed. So this book provides a connection to my beloved buddy Gary Paulsen, the award-winning author who has run the Iditarod several times.

I've heard plenty of times over the course of my life that we live in a throw-away society. Some try to make it sound as though things were better in the "old days." But it takes just a little bit of studying history to realize that this is not true. Just as we see Balto being "thrown away" once his 15 minutes of fame has passed, we as a society seem to have always thrown away people (and principles) just as easily as we throw away an outgrown frock or toy.

Over the past 78 years, since Franklin Delano Roosevelt became President the same year that Balto died, and -- at the insistence of Labor Secretary Frances Perkins -- began setting up a societal safety net for the poor and elderly and unemployed, there has been an ever-present tension between two opposing forces in our country. On one side are those who support the use of public monies for helping others who are old or poor or under-educated and those who, to quote my hero Mario Cuomo, "believe that the wagon train will not make it to the frontier unless some of the old, some of the young, some of the weak are left behind by the side of the trail."

And so I am also a big fan of THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF BALTO because I believe this true story about caring for others will help develop empathy in impressionable young people who don't always get the best modeling in this regard.

Finally, I love this book because I have always been fascinated by history and by change. Ever since my eighth grade American history teacher shared her first-hand experience about daily life in America during World War II -- the shortages and the rationing coupons and the recycling and the blackouts -- I have never gotten enough of looking at the similarities and differences between Then and Now. And so, I figure that there are plenty of kids out there that will get a kick out of how things were different eighty-five years ago. Just like I do.

Richie Partington, MLIS
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[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book, and I especially like the illustrations. I like the story of Balto, too. However, I was just reading through it and there was one line in particular that caught me off guard:

"It was fifty below zero when the journey began. Some dogs died on the way because their lungs burst from the cold."

To be honest with you, I didn't really want to read that. I know this is the *true* story of Balto, but the book is geared towards children. I would have preferred to have seen a less graphic description of what happened on Balto's journey to save Nome, Alaska. Since the book is meant for kids, it might have been better to say something along the lines of "It was fifty below zero when the journey began. Some of the dogs died along the way." Or, "not all of Balto's teammates [or whatever you want to call them] survived."

I did like the book, though, and am still considering purchasing it for my bookshelf. Like I said, the illustrations were particularly charming in this book- which is what drew me to this title in the first place. Who can resist a book featuring a cute, bug-eyed dog on the cover?

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have been fascinated by the story of Balto since we saw him (taxidermy) in Cleveland last summer so when I saw this book I new we wanted to read it. We had done quite a bit of reading on him already so there really wasn't much new information for us in this book. I was hoping it would be a great picture book version of his story though. Eh - not so great. He was a beautiful dog and in this book he pretty much looks like the dog on The Simpsons. My daughter LOVES to draw cartoons of dogs but when reading about Balto's story, she wanted to see real pictures of Balto.

(Oh - and neither one of us really needed to read the lines about dogs dying because their lungs exploded from the cold, esp. with Santa's Little Helper's bulging eyes popping out right above it...)

I think she enjoyed this book because she likes Balto but she will be much more likely to pick up our other Balto book when she wants to read about him again.

We liked: Balto and the Great Race by E.C. Kimmel
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91...

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1925 a sled dog team, led on its final legs by Balto, a heretofore untried Siberian husky, carried diphtheria serum from Nenana to Nome, Alaska. Because the medicine saved many lives, the dog team's 600 mile trip earned them and their musher fame. Balto even had a statue erected in his honor and a movie. But there is more to this courageous dog's story. After the fame died down, Balto was sold, and he ended up largely forgotten in a sideshow. That is until George Kimble, a Cleveland businessman, spearheaded efforts to raise $2,000 for him. With the help of school children who donated their pennies, Balto was saved and found a new home in the zoo. The story is inspiring, and the acrylic illustrations feature large-eyed humans and dogs. Both remind readers of the fickle nature of fame and of the large hearts of some humans. This book would be a perfect pairing with Lita Judge's Pennies for Elephants. The afterword describes how much detective work the author/illustrator had to do in order to tell this heart-tugging story.

[Jacque · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was an interesting read. I have a love of dogs which is why it was probably emotional for me. After Balto's famous run through Alaska, he was sold to someone who didn't appreciate him and treated him like a museum artifact, Balto was saved by being bought again by someone who took care of him. I would read this out loud to a 4th or 5th grade class. I also liked this book because in the back after the story, the author went through her experience researching Balto and what her questions were as she was researching and how she answered them. I think this is a great example for students to follow when doing their own research. The author had to discern fact from false information. She was great at showing the steps she took to research. It is easy to get many different stories or false information when you do not have the primary source of the event. That is why I would use this book as an example of great research, which students need to learn how to find correct information when there is so much out there to look at.

[Kristi Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cute book targeted for younger children. The story is about a dog who helps to save the lives of two young girls by transporting medication for them via dog sled. The illustrations are wonderful for children. The book gives the true-life accounts in a story-like fashion. There are several references at the end of the book and also includes maps. This book would be a great part of a classroom lesson. There is a wonderful youtube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO2DodHfllM that has a reading of the first half of the book, along with some animation and real footage that would work as a great introduction. Students could learn about maps, animals, problem solving and many other topics using this book. There are many versions of the story of Balto. A teacher could use the variations to help the students find similarities and differences.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know, the kids and I just couldn't really get into this one! I think that the story was too long to really hold the interest of my niece and nephew, and I can't quite figure out why I didn't care much for it! I wasn't particularly bothered by the illustrations, they are what they are. I think there was some emotional something lacking for me in this story. I thought that Balto's tale was told much better in Gold Rush Dogs by Claire Rudolf Murphy and Jane G. Haigh, although that one isn't a picture book aimed at kids in the early elementary school grades.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh look at the famous sled dog, Balto. Meghan McCarthy briefly tells the story of Balto's brave run to Nome, Alaska. But then she follows up with what happens to the dog after he delivers the diphtheria serum, which is interesting and, at least to me, unfamiliar. Recommended for elementary school audiences. Students that have already learned about Balto will appreciate this story. Meghan McCarthy's picture are quirky as always, though it's a little less effective on dogs and for this serious story.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intense and familiar story of Balto the sled dog's dramatic Alaskan delivery of medicine is depicted in appealing, almost cartoonish illustrations. The unexpected part of the story reveals that once the public acclaim subsided Balto and his team languished in desperate circumstances. It took a public campaign funded by school children to provide Balto with the respect and security he deserved for the remainder of his life.
Back matter is excellent, with suggestions for further research, activities, and references for further reading.

[Mailen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Balto

The book Balto is a true story. This book are about the dog Balto as cross Alaska, because a little boy was sick.
Balto must bring the medicine. He found the way, and he rescues the little boy and he be very popular. This book was very interesting.
What I disliked about the book was that Balto was sold. Balto and his team were hungry and forgotten. I learned that Balto and his team travelled over Alaska in 1925.
My favourite illustration was where Balto was so famous, so people have make a statue of Balto.
This book was written by Meghan Maccarty.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting and readable picture book biography of a dog. In the afterword the author writes about researching Balto to see if the stories about him were true and what he even looked like. This was sort of funny because the dogs pictured don't really look like any kind of sled dogs--they kind of look like boston terriers or french bulldogs. Still it was a good book in that it showed more of Balto's life beyond what he is most famous for.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually didn't know anything about Balto before I read this - I'd never heard of the famous sled dog team that braved the weather to bring medicine to folks in Nome, Alaska. It's sad that his fame didn't bring him a better life after that, though. It would have been ideal if he'd been able to stay with his team and his person. Goofy illustrations - the dogs all have HUGE eyeballs. Were they huskies? I couldn't tell.

[Ccl Children's · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells not only the familiar story of Balto, the famous sled dog that helped to carry diptheria serum across Alaska, but also what happened to Balto after he became famous. His life wasn't always an easy one, but it does have a happy ending. Includes notes on the author's research. --ML

Find it in our catalog: http://catalog.ccls.org/search~S1?/tt...-