Lucky Litter, The: Wolf Pups Rescued from Wildfire

Earth Systems & Human Activity

by Jennifer Keats Curtis, John Gomes (Illustrator)

When a huge wildfire roared along the Funny River in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, firefighters rushed to the rescue. Finding not one but five wolf pups in need, they raced into action to save the whole litter. With no wolf parents to help, zookeepers and vets at the Alaska Zoo made sure the babies grew into a healthy, happy pack. Follow this true story as the helpless pups move from the charred refuge to the Alaska Zoo, finally becoming big and strong enough to move into their forever home at the Minnesota Zoo.

Genres: Animals, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2014

Reviews

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weeeeeeee!!! Baby wolves!!!!!!!!!!!! I wonder if these wolves are still at the Minnesota Zoo! I should go see them!!!

[Cym Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent non-fiction book that appeals to about third through fifth graders. It's the true story of five wolf pups who are rescued from a wildfire in Alaska. Topics include what happens to the rescued animals, how the wolves grow and play, and how zoos help them. It could have had a little more substance as far as how experts help wild animal babies adapt, but kids will love the story.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a pack of wolf pups who were seemingly abandoned and trapped in a wildfire. Rescued by firefighters, the pups were then taken to a place where they could be adequately cared for by professionals.

While these pups were not returned to the wild once they reached an age where they could presumably care for themselves, they were kept and cared for in a zoo focused on a healthy existence for them.

The book presents how important it is for species such as wolves not be allowed to be removed from the wild existence. They are considered a keystone specices upon which the eco-balance of animal, plant, land, and water exist.

The story is multi-leveled in that the reader can learn about wolves, about the eco system, about rescuing endangered wildlife, and about the proper care of wild animals. It is suitable for kindergarten and older based on the way the material in the book is presented to the child and utilized by the parent, child, or educator.

The back of the book has an abundance of information that will enhance the reader's understanding and comprehension of the subject. As this book is read, interest in further material on the subject by the child should be encouraged. Online Arbordale.com has proved a valuable asset in multi-disciplined worksheets to use utilizing this book and others which Arbordale has published.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firefighters find and save a litter of three-year-old wolf cubs as they are fighting a fierce wildfire in Alaska. The lucky babies are flown to a zoo where they receive veterinary care while they mature. Once they are healthy and about nine weeks old, they are transported to a zoo in Minneapolis. Mostly a photo essay with terrific pictures of the five wolves playing together, the book may remind readers of the beauties of these wild animals who would surely have died without the compassion of those who saved them. I loved the fact that the firefighters named them after the towns from which they came: Stebbins, Huslia, Hooper, Gannett, and X-Ray. All five look and behave so very differently, and the author points out that some of them become dominant while others are more passive, as always happens with wolves. Additional material introduces the topic of keystone species and the importance of wolves in the environment as well as a brief discussion of wildfires. The book could prompt discussion about the controversy surrounding wolves vs. livestock in many states today as well as what might have happened if the rescuers or vets had tried to reintroduce them into the wild instead of a zoo. Whatever purposes the book ends up being used for, the photos steal the show.

[Rebecca]

Five wolf pups--Gannet,t, Huslia, Hooper, Stebbins, and X-Ray--are rescued by a team of firefighters and sent to grow up in the care of the Alaska Zoo. As the pups play, learn, grow, and mature, their time at the zoo is carefully documented with John Gomes's photography.

Children will love this personal look at wildlife, from the pups drinking from baby bottles to their adult life as a pack living at the Minnesota Zoo. Follow-up science and comprehension activities make this a good choice for school reading.