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Rescuing Ladybugs: Inspirational Encounters with Animals That Changed the World
Countless times throughout our lives, we’re presented with a choice to help another soul. Rescuing Ladybugs highlights the true stories of remarkable people who didn’t look away from seemingly impossible-to-change situations and instead worked to save animals. Prepare to be transported to Borneo to release orangutans, Brazil to protect jaguars, Africa to connect with chimpanzees and elephants, the Maldives to free mantas, and Indonesia, the only place where dragons still exist in the wild.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Skiff
13 books18 followersJennifer Skiff’s award-winning career as an international television journalist includes more than a decade as an investigative correspondent for CNN. Her specialty was the environment and among other industry honors, she has received the prestigious Environmental Media Award.
Passionate about animals and their welfare, she works with charities throughout the world to bring relief to abused and abandoned animals.
A cancer scare in her early thirties convinced Skiff that a Divine presence was active in her life. Her journalistic instincts took over and she began a quest to find out if others had similar experiences’. The result is her first book, God Stories, a collection of inspiring first-person accounts of miracle-like encounters with God.
Her second book, The Divinity of Dogs: True Stories of Miracles Inspired by Man's Best Friend, is a compilation of stories where people describe the moment they learned something profound about life from an experience with a dog. It is also part memoir where Skiff describes how her dogs have helped her though trials.
With her favorite Aussie and beloved dogs, Jennifer spends her life in perpetual summer between Maine and Australia.
Passionate about animals and their welfare, she works with charities throughout the world to bring relief to abused and abandoned animals.
A cancer scare in her early thirties convinced Skiff that a Divine presence was active in her life. Her journalistic instincts took over and she began a quest to find out if others had similar experiences’. The result is her first book, God Stories, a collection of inspiring first-person accounts of miracle-like encounters with God.
Her second book, The Divinity of Dogs: True Stories of Miracles Inspired by Man's Best Friend, is a compilation of stories where people describe the moment they learned something profound about life from an experience with a dog. It is also part memoir where Skiff describes how her dogs have helped her though trials.
With her favorite Aussie and beloved dogs, Jennifer spends her life in perpetual summer between Maine and Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 21, 2018
An absolutely inspiring read. One person can make a huge difference by shedding light and acting upon a situation you know is inherently wrong. The stories take you around the world with a delightful "cast" in each chapter.
We all know that animals have deep and profound feelings. How many have said "now that is a happy dog" or "my cat waits at the door for me to come home"? Jennifer covers many different species that all have a place and purpose on this earth.
Thank you so much for writing this book Jennifer!
We all know that animals have deep and profound feelings. How many have said "now that is a happy dog" or "my cat waits at the door for me to come home"? Jennifer covers many different species that all have a place and purpose on this earth.
Thank you so much for writing this book Jennifer!
June 8, 2019
Jennifer Skiff’s followup to her bestselling The Divinity of Dogs is, hard to believe, even more moving and inspiring. This collection of stories and interviews of people who, in some way, have devoted their lives to the care and protection of animals, cannot fail to affect every reader, regardless of their point of view on animals and animal rights.
While much of the book is just what you’d expect from the subject (the CEO of the US Humane Society, Temple Grandin, the dolphin-rescuing subject of The Cove, etc.), most of the stories are more surprising. The proud poacher who becomes a conservationist, people falling in obsessive love with snakes, jaguars, even lethal sharks (Or, what I’d never known about before, tiny fish called Pteropods that probably hold our entire future).
Because of this, whatever the reader’s particular views or issues might be, they’re almost certain to see themselves in these stories. For example, I suffer from claustrophobia, especially about places so tight I can’t move; Spoiler Alert – I haven’t been triggered this badly since the last time I re-read Poe!
The subjects vary by nationality, religion, age, and more. Skiff also reveals their diversity by asking each a group of questions, revealing that many of these heroes are meat-eaters, or political conservatives, but all face the world with the conscientiousness we associate with the likes of liberal vegans. This results in a simple moral: You can be yourself and still improve the world, at least a little. Just by making yourself more conscious.
She repeats throughout the book the idea that “On the path to do what’s right, we’re never alone.” The Field of Dreams dictum that once you start your pursuit, others will follow, but strengthened by the moral addition that what draws them in is the goodness of your quest. The stories she relates make it hard to disagree with this, which only adds to the readers’ view of these leaders and visionaries as heroic.
But none more so than Skiff herself – for the work she’s spent her life on, for her books, and for the surprise twist ending to the book (If the previous pages hadn’t made it clear enough, embracing nature includes both reward and risk).
So the grateful reader may well find themselves repeating the words Skiff heard from the employees at an Indonesian hotel whose animal displays she managed to improve:
Thank you, Monkey Lady!
While much of the book is just what you’d expect from the subject (the CEO of the US Humane Society, Temple Grandin, the dolphin-rescuing subject of The Cove, etc.), most of the stories are more surprising. The proud poacher who becomes a conservationist, people falling in obsessive love with snakes, jaguars, even lethal sharks (Or, what I’d never known about before, tiny fish called Pteropods that probably hold our entire future).
Because of this, whatever the reader’s particular views or issues might be, they’re almost certain to see themselves in these stories. For example, I suffer from claustrophobia, especially about places so tight I can’t move; Spoiler Alert – I haven’t been triggered this badly since the last time I re-read Poe!
The subjects vary by nationality, religion, age, and more. Skiff also reveals their diversity by asking each a group of questions, revealing that many of these heroes are meat-eaters, or political conservatives, but all face the world with the conscientiousness we associate with the likes of liberal vegans. This results in a simple moral: You can be yourself and still improve the world, at least a little. Just by making yourself more conscious.
She repeats throughout the book the idea that “On the path to do what’s right, we’re never alone.” The Field of Dreams dictum that once you start your pursuit, others will follow, but strengthened by the moral addition that what draws them in is the goodness of your quest. The stories she relates make it hard to disagree with this, which only adds to the readers’ view of these leaders and visionaries as heroic.
But none more so than Skiff herself – for the work she’s spent her life on, for her books, and for the surprise twist ending to the book (If the previous pages hadn’t made it clear enough, embracing nature includes both reward and risk).
So the grateful reader may well find themselves repeating the words Skiff heard from the employees at an Indonesian hotel whose animal displays she managed to improve:
Thank you, Monkey Lady!
March 28, 2019
I found this to be a beautifully, inspiring book. It made me feel like I wasn't doing enough in my life to make a difference, and it made me want to do more. The stories were sad, thought provoking, influencing, wonderful, and highly enjoyable to read/listen to.
I purchased the book through audible. The narrator did a great job, and tried very hard to differentiate between all of the individuals in the book by attempting to produce their native accents during their parts in the book.
I purchased the book through audible. The narrator did a great job, and tried very hard to differentiate between all of the individuals in the book by attempting to produce their native accents during their parts in the book.
April 5, 2019
I bought and read this book after seeing the author speak at our local bookstore. She was riveting, warm and inspiring. My nine year old daughter finished the reading the book in less than a week and loved the easy-to-digest mini-chapters. Jennifer's writing is so vivid that you can't help but feel the plight of animals she describes.
There are so many things I liked about this book that I'm happy I own it. First of all, Jennifer's journalistic background ensured the writing was factual, clear and concise. As awful as the animal horror stories are, she introduces you to a veritable army of people from all walks of life who are fighting back. Unlike an army, most of the people interviewed began their mission alone and found support along the way. I loved that each of the chapters included additional resources of videos, books and agencies for readers to learn more. This book inspired both my daughter and I to be more engaged in what is happening to animals in our city. It's nice to have a blueprint and role models to remind us that we aren't alone.
My only complaint is that the title should be a little more badass - like the author and her interviewees.
The book is a wonderful size and feel. It would make an excellent gift for anyone who travels, or wants to travel. I also listened to the audiobook while working. The narrator does a nice job of giving the impression of different speakers by modifying her accent slightly. Overall, one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time and now a household reference book.
There are so many things I liked about this book that I'm happy I own it. First of all, Jennifer's journalistic background ensured the writing was factual, clear and concise. As awful as the animal horror stories are, she introduces you to a veritable army of people from all walks of life who are fighting back. Unlike an army, most of the people interviewed began their mission alone and found support along the way. I loved that each of the chapters included additional resources of videos, books and agencies for readers to learn more. This book inspired both my daughter and I to be more engaged in what is happening to animals in our city. It's nice to have a blueprint and role models to remind us that we aren't alone.
My only complaint is that the title should be a little more badass - like the author and her interviewees.
The book is a wonderful size and feel. It would make an excellent gift for anyone who travels, or wants to travel. I also listened to the audiobook while working. The narrator does a nice job of giving the impression of different speakers by modifying her accent slightly. Overall, one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time and now a household reference book.
March 19, 2019
Absolutely inspirational. Loved how there was a light bulb moment (message) in every chapter. As humans we can be so powerful and Jen has used her knowledge, passion and time to help the creatures of our planet. What an amazing outcome! I am sure Jen will have made each person think and possibly re-evaluate their lives who has read this amazing book. Time for change and for us all to re look at what is important in life and how we can help make an impact in our own way. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart for sharing Jen. What an amazing lady with a beautiful soul.
March 13, 2019
I really took a great interest in the book Rescuing Ladybugs. Jennifer Skiff is always making sure that the animals have the best life, and she just has such a way on making an Impact on peoples lives It is truly inspiring how she can make someone or somethings day so much better. I love that every encounter she has with an animal she make's the best out of it, and make sure that the animals get the proper care that they really need.
March 13, 2019
I myself rate the book 5/5 due to the amazing context and the love that Jennifer Skiff has for animals. Reading about how she takes time to travel the world to save animals is actually really interesting. Ive always been the one that disliked reading books until I got ahold of Rescuing Ladybugs then ever since then I want to read more books of hers.
March 13, 2019
Jennifer Skiff's book Rescuing Ladybugs is a very heartwarming and restores humanity with stores of compassion towards animals. Jennifer exhibits true courage with every case she takes on. Reading this book was an emotional experience and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this. Rescuing Ladybugs is a great book and I highly recommend it to everyone!
March 13, 2019
This book was so inspiring for how I want to help animals. Jennifer Skiff has made me realize that I want to be able t go and help animals everywhere, but mostly in the oceans. I loved everything about this book.
March 13, 2019
This book is amazing, I love it! This book made me feel happy, sad, and compassion for her and the animals. Her book made me want to save animals and make sure that they have a good life. I hope that more people read her book and would like to make a difference.
March 13, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. It really helps you become aware of what's going on with wildlife, and how our actions affect them. I normally don't cry when it comes to books or movies, but I can easily say that this book brought me to tears. Definitely recommended!
March 13, 2019
I enjoyed this book very much. It helped make me aware of how animals get treated around the world and how everyone can help save animals just by taking little steps to help. Loved it!!!!
March 13, 2019
I enjoy rescuing lady bugs a lot. There are many heart warming stories about the different animal rescues, each and every one of them in which I loved.
March 13, 2019
It is a truly amazing book.
March 13, 2019
Rescuing Ladybugs is a heartwarming book about rescuing all types of animals. This book makes me feel passionate towards animals and aware of the conditions of animals who need help
March 13, 2019
This book is very informative on what is going on in the world with animals and showed how she truly cares about all animals. I loved it!
March 13, 2019
It was a good book and ti made me realize how bad the conditions are for animals everywhere.
March 13, 2019
The book rescuing ladybugs by Jennifer Skiff, has had such an impact on me because I'm an animal lover too!. I took a great interest in reading this book, and can't wait to read the others!
March 13, 2019
I love this book. It is so inspirational.
March 13, 2019
I love this book, it was really inspiring. It made me want to volunteer to help animals.
October 29, 2018
Well-written, uplifting book about being able to change things for animals.
February 14, 2019
This book is full of hope and love. We can never get enough of each.
April 29, 2019
Endorsements:
“This time of year, I get flooded with books about animals and spirituality. While it is often challenging to pick the best one to share with readers, I had no problem this year. Rescuing Ladybugs by Jennifer Skiff far outshines the competition.”
— Best Friends magazine
“Rescuing Ladybugs is heartwarming, life-affirming, and highly recommended!”
— Midwest Book Review
“Rescuing Ladybugs opens a portal into the amazing lives of the protectors of animals in our world. It’s an inspiring, enlightening, and conscience-raising book.”
— Gene Baur, president and cofounder of Farm Sanctuary and bestselling author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: How to Eat Healthier, Live Longer, and Feel Better Every Day by Bringing Home the Happiest Place on Earth
“The rising public anguish over the state of the natural world, the suffering of humankind and of our fellow creatures, is informed and affirmed by the many voices in Jennifer Skiff’s book. Rescuing Ladybugs is an exceptional book — a clarion call to awaken our empathy, ignite compassionate action, and help recover our humanity in these dystopian times. It should be required reading for all high school students and will inspire all who care in their communion with other sentient beings.”
— Dr. Michael W. Fox, author of The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation
“Reading Rescuing Ladybugs, I am struck by the warmth and skill of Jennifer Skiff’s writing and the profundity of her message. I am reading it slowly because every single chapter makes me want to get out of my chair and go do more for animals. Thank you for the inspiration!”
— Karen Dawn, DawnWatch
“Everyone will love Rescuing Ladybugs. With a perfect balance of memoir, stories, and testimonials, this remarkable book and the heroes in it will make you laugh, will make you cry — and, more than anything else, will invite you to become a member of the kindest, most joyous, and most rewarding movement on the planet: the compassion movement.”
— Natasha Milne, coeditor of One Hundred & One Reasons To Get Out of Bed and host of My Home Planet podcast
“My heart responds to Jennifer Skiff’s book because animals and humans are connected — we help, teach, heal, and rescue one another. Please read Rescuing Ladybugs, learn, and follow your heart to connect with and help our family of animals. Everyone will benefit.”
— Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, author of Love, Animals, and Miracles: Inspiring True Stories Celebrating the Healing Bond
“Everyone needs inspiring role models. This book is all about how people have found their life’s work in protecting animals around the world. It’s eye-opening, mind-expanding, and indeed inspiring.”
— Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel
“This time of year, I get flooded with books about animals and spirituality. While it is often challenging to pick the best one to share with readers, I had no problem this year. Rescuing Ladybugs by Jennifer Skiff far outshines the competition.”
— Best Friends magazine
“Rescuing Ladybugs is heartwarming, life-affirming, and highly recommended!”
— Midwest Book Review
“Rescuing Ladybugs opens a portal into the amazing lives of the protectors of animals in our world. It’s an inspiring, enlightening, and conscience-raising book.”
— Gene Baur, president and cofounder of Farm Sanctuary and bestselling author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: How to Eat Healthier, Live Longer, and Feel Better Every Day by Bringing Home the Happiest Place on Earth
“The rising public anguish over the state of the natural world, the suffering of humankind and of our fellow creatures, is informed and affirmed by the many voices in Jennifer Skiff’s book. Rescuing Ladybugs is an exceptional book — a clarion call to awaken our empathy, ignite compassionate action, and help recover our humanity in these dystopian times. It should be required reading for all high school students and will inspire all who care in their communion with other sentient beings.”
— Dr. Michael W. Fox, author of The Boundless Circle: Caring for Creatures and Creation
“Reading Rescuing Ladybugs, I am struck by the warmth and skill of Jennifer Skiff’s writing and the profundity of her message. I am reading it slowly because every single chapter makes me want to get out of my chair and go do more for animals. Thank you for the inspiration!”
— Karen Dawn, DawnWatch
“Everyone will love Rescuing Ladybugs. With a perfect balance of memoir, stories, and testimonials, this remarkable book and the heroes in it will make you laugh, will make you cry — and, more than anything else, will invite you to become a member of the kindest, most joyous, and most rewarding movement on the planet: the compassion movement.”
— Natasha Milne, coeditor of One Hundred & One Reasons To Get Out of Bed and host of My Home Planet podcast
“My heart responds to Jennifer Skiff’s book because animals and humans are connected — we help, teach, heal, and rescue one another. Please read Rescuing Ladybugs, learn, and follow your heart to connect with and help our family of animals. Everyone will benefit.”
— Dr. Bernie S. Siegel, author of Love, Animals, and Miracles: Inspiring True Stories Celebrating the Healing Bond
“Everyone needs inspiring role models. This book is all about how people have found their life’s work in protecting animals around the world. It’s eye-opening, mind-expanding, and indeed inspiring.”
— Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel
April 20, 2019
I LOVED this book! Very interesting and teaches about several different animals.
Read
January 21, 2019So inspiring!
May 3, 2019
To learn about some of the people mentioned in this book, check out the Green Group on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
January 18, 2025
This is a book of collected stories about animal rescue. The author interviews a variety of rescuers and the interviews all wind up with a series of simple questions, including asking each of them whether they ever rescued ladybugs.
Mammals are cute, even big ones that are also threatening. When they are mistreated, they suffer. They interact with people in ways that often seem very human and sometimes that's a true perception. Sometimes non-mammals are cute and human too. When we are able to extend our compassion to animals and take positive steps to relieve animal suffering, that's a good thing. So I feel like a schmuck when I don't fully respond to these stories about good people doing good things. But that was my reaction to this book. Focusing our attention on cute, human seeming animals seems misconceived to me. It's a starting point, but we need to have a broader perspective. To be fair, Ms. Skiff does talk some about bigger issues of habitat destruction and species extinction, but then she always circles back to the bear or ape or pig who needs better food or medical attention. Of course, charity begins at home. Our urge to do good is a personal urge that is most effective when it can be focused on an object that engages our sympathy in a direct way. As much as I am whining about individual animal rescue being too narrow, I am even more unenthusiastic about effective altruism which reduces charity to statistics. We need to keep it personal, but we also need to recognize that we have a whole planet to worry about here. There needs to be a way to be personal and expansive at the same time. It's not easy, but I think that it is essential.
And, by the way, yes, I have rescued ladybugs.
Mammals are cute, even big ones that are also threatening. When they are mistreated, they suffer. They interact with people in ways that often seem very human and sometimes that's a true perception. Sometimes non-mammals are cute and human too. When we are able to extend our compassion to animals and take positive steps to relieve animal suffering, that's a good thing. So I feel like a schmuck when I don't fully respond to these stories about good people doing good things. But that was my reaction to this book. Focusing our attention on cute, human seeming animals seems misconceived to me. It's a starting point, but we need to have a broader perspective. To be fair, Ms. Skiff does talk some about bigger issues of habitat destruction and species extinction, but then she always circles back to the bear or ape or pig who needs better food or medical attention. Of course, charity begins at home. Our urge to do good is a personal urge that is most effective when it can be focused on an object that engages our sympathy in a direct way. As much as I am whining about individual animal rescue being too narrow, I am even more unenthusiastic about effective altruism which reduces charity to statistics. We need to keep it personal, but we also need to recognize that we have a whole planet to worry about here. There needs to be a way to be personal and expansive at the same time. It's not easy, but I think that it is essential.
And, by the way, yes, I have rescued ladybugs.
March 28, 2020
Jennifer Skiff is not your average animal lover. She does have a deep compassion for animals, but she is also driven by their cause and uses her credentials, education, knowledge, and experience to make a difference. At the beginning of the book, as she is telling the story of rescuing panda bears in Taiwan, she recalls that someone told her that she was not going to be able to save every animal that was suffering. She realized then that, while it was true that she could not save every suffering animal, she COULD do something about the animals that she did encounter who were suffering.
Skiff has so many wonderful stories about her animal encounters, and while the abuse that she identifies is horrific, she does not go wildly in depth, so it is easier to digest. She gives you enough detail to help you understand the dire situation, but then she does something that I have seen few other authors do - she tells you what she did to fix it. This book could be a guidebook for advocacy and how to make a difference, no matter where you are and what you encounter.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were several different stories and all of them had an ending that was believable and described the effort and resources involved, without going into excruciating detail. I look forward to listening to this book again!
Skiff has so many wonderful stories about her animal encounters, and while the abuse that she identifies is horrific, she does not go wildly in depth, so it is easier to digest. She gives you enough detail to help you understand the dire situation, but then she does something that I have seen few other authors do - she tells you what she did to fix it. This book could be a guidebook for advocacy and how to make a difference, no matter where you are and what you encounter.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were several different stories and all of them had an ending that was believable and described the effort and resources involved, without going into excruciating detail. I look forward to listening to this book again!
February 5, 2020
I loved this book! It's partly about author Jennifer Skiff's experiences in regards to animals and partly about other animal heroes' stories. Parts of it are difficult to read (especially the stories in the beginning), but Skiff manages to tell the tales of animals' plights in our current world and yet remain hopeful. I was inspired again and again by these people that don't subscribe to willful ignorance, but open their eyes and make changes. We are all connected and important.
June 26, 2019
I laughed, I cried, but most of all I was inspired by the compassion, kindness and determination of the wonderful people making changes to help the amazing & intelligent creatures we share this magical planet with.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews