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Animals Who Have Won Our Hearts
A collection of stories about animals who became beloved and famous, including Balto the sled dog, who found his way through a blinding snowstorm, and Koko the gorilla, who learned sign language.
56 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1994
32 people want to read
About the author
Jean Craighead George
200 books1,564 followersJean Craighead George wrote over eighty popular books for young adults, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves and the Newbery Honor book My Side of the Mountain. Most of her books deal with topics related to the environment and the natural world. While she mostly wrote children's fiction, she also wrote at least two guides to cooking with wild foods, and an autobiography, Journey Inward.
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
The mother of three children, (Twig C. George, Craig, and T. Luke George) Jean George was a grandmother who joyfully read to her grandchildren since the time they were born. Over the years Jean George kept one hundred and seventy-three pets, not including dogs and cats, in her home in Chappaqua, New York. "Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behaviour and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 10, 2019
This was a fascinating book. All of the stories were short, but each one packed enough of a punch that you could see why these animals captured the hearts of the people during their time.
Case in point, Balto, a sled dog in the final relay team bringing much-needed medication to Nome, Alaska in 1925. I'd heard of the diphtheria epidemic there that year and the teams that had worked together to get the medication the rest of the way to Nome after the train became snowbound, so reading about one of the dogs in that team was awesome.
We also read about three whales who get stuck in the ice off Barrow, Alaska; a cat whose humans leave her behind when they move to another farm because the cat refused to get into cars, so they thought it would be easier to leave her with a friend; Koko, the famous gorilla who learns sign language; and the real Smokey the Bear. Did you know there really was a Smokey the Bear? I didn't, until I read this story. I knew it was a cartoon character created to help promote awareness of forest fires and prevention, but didn't know about the bear that came shortly after.
There are a few other stories here, and they're all good. This was a short book with some memorable characters I know I'll be thinking about for a while to come, made all the more so because these are real-life animals. These stories are true.
Case in point, Balto, a sled dog in the final relay team bringing much-needed medication to Nome, Alaska in 1925. I'd heard of the diphtheria epidemic there that year and the teams that had worked together to get the medication the rest of the way to Nome after the train became snowbound, so reading about one of the dogs in that team was awesome.
We also read about three whales who get stuck in the ice off Barrow, Alaska; a cat whose humans leave her behind when they move to another farm because the cat refused to get into cars, so they thought it would be easier to leave her with a friend; Koko, the famous gorilla who learns sign language; and the real Smokey the Bear. Did you know there really was a Smokey the Bear? I didn't, until I read this story. I knew it was a cartoon character created to help promote awareness of forest fires and prevention, but didn't know about the bear that came shortly after.
There are a few other stories here, and they're all good. This was a short book with some memorable characters I know I'll be thinking about for a while to come, made all the more so because these are real-life animals. These stories are true.
April 16, 2020
This collection of ten short stories is about some of the unique animals who have stood out in American history because of their unusual abilities. Young readers will appreciate these animals while learning about animal intelligence.
March 25, 2013
ANIMALS WHO HAVE WON OUR HEARTS
Jean Craighead George
“A Patchwork of Critters –Peace for the soul”
This short book is a delight to read—made even more enjoyable by the lovely illustrations. JCG presents heart-arming true stories about various American animals: dogs, horses, a cat, a gorilla, an eagle, whales, a bear cub and even a groundhog. She subtly points out that humans have been given Dominion over the animals of Earth, but not Domination. She reminds us that we need animals on our journey through life—just as much as they need us. We humans should prove responsible citizens of the world by protecting endangered species, helping wild creature in peril and by appreciating all that our pets and patiently-laboring four-footed friends do for us. Without being preachy this small book proves a charming and enlightening read for kids of all ages.
(Nov. 6, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
Jean Craighead George
“A Patchwork of Critters –Peace for the soul”
This short book is a delight to read—made even more enjoyable by the lovely illustrations. JCG presents heart-arming true stories about various American animals: dogs, horses, a cat, a gorilla, an eagle, whales, a bear cub and even a groundhog. She subtly points out that humans have been given Dominion over the animals of Earth, but not Domination. She reminds us that we need animals on our journey through life—just as much as they need us. We humans should prove responsible citizens of the world by protecting endangered species, helping wild creature in peril and by appreciating all that our pets and patiently-laboring four-footed friends do for us. Without being preachy this small book proves a charming and enlightening read for kids of all ages.
(Nov. 6, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
July 3, 2016
Some amazing things animals do.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews