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Look for Me Under the Rainbow

Bernard Jan (Goodreads Author),

Maja Šoljan (Translator)

4.61 · Rating details · 66 ratings · 43 reviews

Sometimes all you need is a big heart and burning desire.

Danny, a curious harp seal pup, has soft white fur and black innocent eyes. Helen is an environmentalist and member of a young activist crew of the Rainbow Warriors. Their mission is to save animals.

As winter turns into spring, a new generation of seal pups comes to life. A few weeks later, the killing begins. Agains ...more

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Published April 15th 2018 by Bernard Jan (first published 1993)

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· 66 ratings · 43 reviews

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Apr 17, 2018 Mischenko rated it it was amazing

This review can also be seen @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...

This book captured my attention from the beginning to end. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but after reading A World Without Color, I knew this was a book I had to read.

It begins with the story of Danny, a seal pup with his whole life in front of him. As Danny spends his days playing curiously with his brother and learning life skills from his mother, he discovers what’s acceptable and also what isn’t safe.

“Is only t ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Starjustin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya

An extraordinary story by and 'extraordinary' author who has a strong passion for animals in a world where animals are not always protected and have to fear for their lives.
Bernard Jan adds a human touch to a group of seals that are bearing young in a land that should be theirs alone but mankind has invaded for negligent self-purpose. He speaks of a group of people known as GreenPeace and their efforts to protect the seals from annihilation.
A fantastic book that needs to be read by all includi ...more

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Sep 11, 2018 James rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1-fiction, 9-read-2018-09-september, 2-fic-young-adult

I've been following the author of this book, Bernard Jan, for about a year, but I hadn't read any of his written works previously. When my shiba inu passed away earlier this year, someone reminded me to get a copy of Look for Me Under the Rainbow: A Novella as it would provide some comfort and offer a few ideas about the life of animals outside what we know. I purchased a copy last month and added it to my TBR once I was ready to deal with the concept of a wonderful animal passing away.

Jan offer ...more

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Jun 19, 2018 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle

Look for Me Under the Rainbow by Bernard Jan is a fairly short read at novella length that takes readers into an up close and personal look at the life of a seal pup names Danny. The majority of the story is told from Danny’s point of view but in the end it switches to a young girl named Helen who is fighting to save the wild animals.

I loved spending a bit of time looking at the world through Danny’s eyes right from the opening of the book. Anyone who has been around toddlers can relate to Danny ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 TeaAndBooks rated it it was amazing

Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Narration: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Firstly, I must give a huge thank you to Bernard Jan, the wonderful author of this equally amazing book for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Another great book from Bernard Jan! I can now officially say that he is one of my favourite authors of all time!

This book was wonderful in more ways that one. The style of writing and language used was moving, touching and simply incredible! The plot itself was one th

Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Narration: 5/5
Characters: 5/5

Firstly, I must give a huge thank you to Bernard Jan, the wonderful author of this equally amazing book for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book explores the greed and cruelty of humanity and how we as humans often oppress and harm those species we deem to be inferior to us, completely neglecting the fact that everyone can feel, whether they re animals or not. This book focuses on the murder of seal pups and how we simply cannot see to understand that these beautiful creatures have feelings too. We focus mainly on a small seal called Danny and how he too was affected by the avarice nature and acquisitiveness of humans.

This book clearly showed how humans are some of the most harmful predators on this Earth and how we need to put an end to this. There is a difference between murder and protecting ourselves- we can keep ourselves safe without harming other species.

You simply must read this book- you truly will be missing out if you don’t! Words cannot give justice to this book!

Whilst reading this book, I was rather amused at the playful nature of the seals. Upon finishing the book, I was in tears and I was just stunned at the sheer intensity of the message that this book carries. The writing style was perfect- simply stunning. I also enjoyed the narration.

One of my favourite quotes is when Danny asks his mother who man was. This was my favourite part because it shows what we as humans seem like to animals who we believe to be lower than us.

I have now learnt to sympathise with animals and the environment as I have been reminded that animals have feelings too. They can feel, see, think, hear and act in the same way we do.

The message of this book was beautiful and simply stunning. It truly moved me and I can guarantee that I will be reading this again! We NEED more books like this one.

If you haven’t yet read anything written by Bernard Jan, you truly need to go and read his work because he is a unique author who writes in such a manner that it will move you and inspire you to bring a change to this world.

Read this book for it will change your life.

...more

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Jul 02, 2018 Peter rated it really liked it

Shelves: publisher-author-direct, non-fiction

Malignant
Often in nature films and documentaries, we get an appreciation of how precarious life can be for wild animals and that we are all potentially in the food chain for some other animal. If you’ve ever seen the Orca whale tossing a seal in the air repeatedly, it is a brutal and disturbing scene, yet it is nature. Us humans are meant to be more controlled and ‘humane’ about how we manage our food sources and ancient legends cry out to us to respect the animals we kill and ensure that having Malignant
Often in nature films and documentaries, we get an appreciation of how precarious life can be for wild animals and that we are all potentially in the food chain for some other animal. If you’ve ever seen the Orca whale tossing a seal in the air repeatedly, it is a brutal and disturbing scene, yet it is nature. Us humans are meant to be more controlled and ‘humane’ about how we manage our food sources and ancient legends cry out to us to respect the animals we kill and ensure that having done so we make as much use of the carcass as possible so as not to be careless and immoderate. We are, however, cruel, reckless and wasteful in how we hunt for food and clothing, and specifically how we fish our oceans discarding rubbish indifferently to the damage it causes.

Bernard Jan has provided us with a glimpse into 2 perspectives of life for the seal populations that migrate around Greenland. Firstly through the eyes of Danny a young seal pup and his adopted younger brother Jon, and then through the eyes of a Rainbow Warrior volunteer Helen. Both parties are told of legends and tales that relate in some respect to a Rainbow, how we should show respect to all living things, and how in our final moments we follow the rainbow.

While Danny and Jon are taught and instructed by their mother they play happily but always aware of the threats from polar bears and man. Which one is more dangerous, which one is more deadly, and which one is more destructive? The young seals will experience a lot in their lifetimes as they start the migration back towards Greenland. Helen, while she understands the value and commitment the Rainbow warriors make, she can’t come to terms witnessing the abject waste of life and deleterious attitude of hunters and irresponsible fishermen. Helen and Danny’s paths eventually cross and it is a heart-breaking scene.

The story is very well told and it is very clear before reading the authors bio that he has a vocational connection to animal preservation. Through the medium of this book and other communication channels, Bernard is also a strong advocate for wildlife protection and his love for animals is clearly apparent. ...more

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Apr 03, 2018 Dianne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: environmental-issues, own, arc-read, author-review, didn-t-see-that-coming, novella, almost-speechless-good

Every once in a while, an author comes along who wears their heart on their sleeve and pours it onto the pages of a book. If you haven’t read anything by Bernard Jan, you are missing an opportunity to feel his words to your very soul.

LOOK FOR ME UNDER THE RAINBOW begins as a sweet tale of innocence and love and wonder in the big world all around. Danny was born in an unforgiving environment, but for his kind, it was home, safe and filled with the awe of a young child learning at his mother’s sid Every once in a while, an author comes along who wears their heart on their sleeve and pours it onto the pages of a book. If you haven’t read anything by Bernard Jan, you are missing an opportunity to feel his words to your very soul.

LOOK FOR ME UNDER THE RAINBOW begins as a sweet tale of innocence and love and wonder in the big world all around. Danny was born in an unforgiving environment, but for his kind, it was home, safe and filled with the awe of a young child learning at his mother’s side. It is the story of the love between two brothers and a dangerous quest to grow up and see the world too soon.

Danny is a seal pup, born when humans thought nothing of killing them for their pelts, but Danny and his brother, Jon, didn’t know that. They only knew of the wonder of the Great Seal above and the beautiful rainbow created just for each of them at the end of their life’s journey.

His only experience with humans was that of kindness. But when young Danny and Jon decide to see the world for themselves when it was time to migrate back to Greenland, they would encounter the carelessness of human destruction and the cruelty of human greed.

It would be the human that once met Danny who would become part of a new era for humans, and laws to protect creatures like Danny from mindless slaughter or pollution.

This is a story of love, life and humanity at both its worst and very best. Danny is an endearing voice for both seals and animals threatened everywhere in this bittersweet story that is ageless and for all readers.

I fell in love with Danny and his exuberance, not unlike that of a human child and I found myself lost in this warm tale turned nightmare turned call to action for the world. Please, do NOT let the phrase “translated from…” scare you off, the translation is masterfully done without losing any of the impact of Bernard Jan’s words. Although a short read, it is long on heart, and beautifully told with a message for all people of all ages.

I received a complimentary copy from Bernard Jan!

Publication Date: April 17, 2018 (Original 1993)
Publisher: Bernard Jan
Genre: Fiction | Animal Protection Awareness
Number of pages: 61 ...more

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Jul 23, 2018 Stjepan Cobets rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fan of the story to help animals

Shelves: indie, fiction

My rating 5.0

Look for Me Under the Rainbow: A Novella by Bernard Jan is a book that cannot leave you indifferent. This is a story that will go deep into the heart and soul. The human species sometimes can be very cruel to animals and literally exterminate certain species only because of arrogance and money.
The story leads us through the life of a curious harp seal pup Danny. Danny is like any young cubs are curious and want to explore the world where he lives, but that the world is full of dang ...more

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Aug 26, 2018 Nico Genes rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, emotional-thriller

Inspired by the journal of Helen, an animal activist aka “Rainbow Warrior”, on a mission to protect as many animals as she can, the author takes us on another emotional journey. After reading A World Without Color by the same author, I knew this was a book I had to read. The writing style of the author remained as beautiful as I knew it was, honest, poetic and full of emotions.

This time the author tells us about Danny, a harp seal pup, his parents and brother Jon. This could have been a happy s Inspired by the journal of Helen, an animal activist aka “Rainbow Warrior”, on a mission to protect as many animals as she can, the author takes us on another emotional journey. After reading A World Without Color by the same author, I knew this was a book I had to read. The writing style of the author remained as beautiful as I knew it was, honest, poetic and full of emotions.

This time the author tells us about Danny, a harp seal pup, his parents and brother Jon. This could have been a happy story about all the funny stuff a seal pup could do, right? But no, unfortunately, due to the man’s ignorance and greed this is a really sad story written though in a relaxing way. It is a story of life, love, existence, and humanity at both its worst and very best.

This is more than a novella, it is a cry for awareness and a call to action to anyone that wants to stop the slaughter of innocent creatures. In time, many organizations, and individuals, including the author, had been actively united forces and did what they could to slow down the annihilation and ease the tragic destiny of these adorable, innocent creatures. We are being offered with a set of links of different organizations for any one of us that it's not a member yet and wants to join. The message of this book was honest, sincere and it truly moved me.

Type of reader: Readers of any age, lovers of animals and anyone else that searches for an emotional read.

My favorite quotes from this book:

“Man’s a great mystery. We know not where he comes from, nor where he’s going. Elusive, like a shadow, he leaves wasteland in his wake.”

“I do not doubt I have a big heart and burning desire, but is that enough for a person to become a Rainbow Warrior, or is there something higher in us, something better? Something that lies hidden deep in our innermost selves, something only some of us manage to express and turn into what we have long missed—humanity.”

More book reviews on: https://www.nicojgenes.com/book-reviews ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Dario Cannizzaro rated it it was amazing

There's plenty of things that could be said about this novella, and its polarising topic. I'm tempted to go into details but I also want to avoid spoilers, which is very hard; but what I can say is that the author didn't shy away from telling a story as-is; he avoided falling into cliches which might have left the readers happier, but it would have diminished its message.

It's a tale of love and death, like all the important tales. These tales should be read in school, because too often there's a ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Tina rated it it was amazing

REVIEW OF
“LOOK FOR ME UNDER THE RAINBOW"
AUTHOR, BERNARD JAN

RATING: Five Stars

Bernard Jan’s new release of “Look for Me Under the Rainbow”, is a rewrite of his book with the same title released in 1998. This new amazing version of Bernard’s story is a much more exciting, colorful, and family friendly story than depicted in the older version. This story is an insider’s view of the daily life of a baby seal named Danny, and his family. As Bernard draws you into Danny’s world, you are magical REVIEW OF
“LOOK FOR ME UNDER THE RAINBOW"
AUTHOR, BERNARD JAN

RATING: Five Stars

Bernard Jan’s new release of “Look for Me Under the Rainbow”, is a rewrite of his book with the same title released in 1998. This new amazing version of Bernard’s story is a much more exciting, colorful, and family friendly story than depicted in the older version. This story is an insider’s view of the daily life of a baby seal named Danny, and his family. As Bernard draws you into Danny’s world, you are magically transported so deeply into this story that you can’t help but fall in love with Danny and his icy world. The story begins on the ice floes in the Newfoundland area of Eastern Canada then migrates north towards Greenland.

Danny’s heartwarming story begins with the struggle of his birth. He is born a plump, furry little boy as white as the world around him. As he grows, like all children, he is curious, adventurous, yet timid about his new surroundings. This concerns his loving, nurturing mother. She fears for Danny’s safety as this icy place has many dangers that can take her beautiful baby from her. To protect him, his mother teaches him of the surrounding perils by explaining them to him in fairy tale-like stories; except for one, the most dangerous peril of all – man, which she explains in detail. Danny, being an intelligent and obedient child, diligently heeds his mother’s warnings. One day Danny is blessed by the arrival of a little brother, Jon. Jon, orphaned at birth was adopted into Danny’s family. Danny immediately fell in love with Jon and took the role of mentor and protector. Danny is a happy child for the most part. The only exception to his happiness is his father. Danny admires, respects and loves his dad and desperately wants the same in return but his dad always seems so distant. Uncertain of his father’s affections for him, Danny keeps his distance until one day when Dad must come to his rescue. Danny’s life is a happy, adventurous one but unfortunately, a short one. When you read the last chapter of Danny’s life, his tragic, preventable death will break your heart and bring tears to your eyes. You will mourn for a beloved friend.

Bernard’s characters and their world leap to life! His technicolor descriptions create in-depth imageries so real that your mind will easily become lost in them. The imagery is so clear, so vivid, you can almost hear the ice melt. Although Danny succumbs to his treacherous world, there are no elaborate graphic descriptions of gore. “Look for Me Under the Rainbow” is appropriate for young adults and possibly younger. Bernard Jan’s masterful writing weaves an action packed, fast moving, smooth tale void of the distractions of grammatical or punctuation errors. The book is a clean production that is a pleasure to read and I recommend it highly. I personally enjoyed the book immensely!

Although, “Look for Me Under the Rainbow”, is a wonderfully sweet story, this book does have a purpose. Bernard Jan, being a human and animal rights activist, wrote this book to bring awareness of the climate change dangers and hunting cruelty that these innocent creatures, the harp seals and animals in general, face every day. This book is also a tribute to those who dedicate and risk their lives rescuing these beautiful animals through their work with the Rainbow Warriors and other animal rights organizations like them. This book is not a lecture or a recruiting tool. It is meant to broaden the awareness of the ramifications of climate change and the eventual extinction of a species due to genocide by cruel hunting methods. No matter where you stand on these matters, read the book! Even though it has a sad ending, it is a heartwarming story that you and your family will enjoy. It may influence your thinking, it may not. Either way, Danny’s story is a captivating read.

Tina Mari Combs,
TMC Author Services, USA
April 2018

Author’s Note: Although I had an Advance Reader PDF, I did purchase the book on Amazon for my family. This review is my personal, objective opinion of the above-mentioned work. I was in no way compensated by its author.

...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Rebecca Gransden rated it really liked it

Look for Me Under the Rainbow is a short and imaginative tale, aimed at a YA audience but inviting of all ages. Removed from young (and I’m sure some would say adult as well) I’m not part of the intended demographic for this work, but I’ve read Bernard Jan’s writing before so was happy to give this one a try.

From the off the stakes are presented as extremely high. We are plunged into the world of an infant seal pup, where dangers are incessant. The vast whiteness of an endless icy panorama empha Look for Me Under the Rainbow is a short and imaginative tale, aimed at a YA audience but inviting of all ages. Removed from young (and I’m sure some would say adult as well) I’m not part of the intended demographic for this work, but I’ve read Bernard Jan’s writing before so was happy to give this one a try.

From the off the stakes are presented as extremely high. We are plunged into the world of an infant seal pup, where dangers are incessant. The vast whiteness of an endless icy panorama emphasises the vulnerability and natural plight of such a small creature, birthed near helpless onto a shifting frozen surface. The young pup is entirely reliant on his mother and seal family, and at first has many questions about this precarious and exciting world he has been born into.

Seal society has a purposeful folkloric and spiritual tradition, handed down in the mythologies they tell. In this way, the young pup attempts to find insights into the very immediate issues of life and death he sees playing out around him. I found this element of the story very nicely done.

With a book of this kind, with anthropomorphism at the centre of the text, mawkishness is a potential pitfall. Overall, the text avoids this however, setting an exploratory tone from early on, and including the more brutal and pitiless aspects of an animal’s life in quite graphic and brutal detail. This book does not condescend to younger people. There is an agenda to the book, and it is one that is pro animal rights, but I don’t feel in a haranguing or preachy way, instead raising the necessary questions and leaving the reader to make up their own mind.

Some of the most successful passages of the book were, for me, those where the tension of the natural impulse to explore collided with the the risk of straying too far. A constant feeling of menace and dread hangs over this novella, the characters subjected to abiding threats, a peril waiting unseen in the snowy landscape. There are some lyrical descriptions involving the natural formations of this world, and also regarding the precipice between life and death, that are very memorable.

A thought provoking read, to be especially appreciated by younger readers who want to explore the ethics surrounding environmental and animal rights movements. ...more

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May 11, 2018 Brady rated it liked it

What a great story that brings wildlife and humanity together. I wanted more. More stories of the Danny and the relationships that he had. More of the backstory of Helen.

The issue that is addressed in this novella is an important one as we see changes we cannot control and changes we can control happening each day on our beautiful Earth. The story definitely gave me a greater appreciation for the warriors who fight for positive change.

The book was very good. I just wanted more of it. That’s wh ...more

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Sep 14, 2018 Kristina Gallo rated it it was amazing

I read this book with a feeling of sadness, rage, and the admiration. Here is more humanity in animals than in some people in the reality. As a big fan of nature, I support protection of animal's right. If Danny was a human he would teach us many things, how to respect the rules of nature and to be less selfish.
The oil stain in the sea, killing animals for hunting, all are signs of human's selfishness. Even I did not read much of this genre before, this author made me like it. Thanks. ...more

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May 05, 2018 Chealsea rated it it was amazing

This novella took a complete different path than I was originally expecting. That being said, it was brilliant. This story has so much potential to enlighten people on the corruption that humans are causing to this planet. This novella represents everything that I stand for. The author did an incredible job at bringing up this topic and thank you for sending me the copy!

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Feb 18, 2019 Barbara Vasconcellos rated it it was amazing

Heartbreaking/loving

I believe that. the author has a great love for all animals. With the gift of writing about them as soul mates from the heart. Anyone who lived in the 60s and 70s saw this type of event unfold and watched tv clips with tears in our eyes, thinking how can people be so evil. The book was great at telling the story from the victim s point of view. Thank you.

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May 07, 2018 Michał/Michael Nikodem/Nicodemus Hołda/Holda rated it really liked it

Shelves: motivation

Nicely written fairy tale that set you in motion to wonder as one, who has traveled to Icebergs. Lullaby for sweet dreams under the sky.

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Aug 23, 2019 Jolie rated it it was amazing

When I read the blurb for Look for Me Under the Rainbow, it caught my interest. I wasn’t expecting the feelings that this book evoked. I felt everything from joy to horror to sadness.

I will admit, I went into Look for Me Under the Rainbow with a certain mindset. I thought that it was going to be a children’s book about a young seal pup named Danny and his adventures. Well, that isn’t the case. Instead, I got a book that showed exactly how hard a harp seal’s life is and the dangers they face.

Dann When I read the blurb for Look for Me Under the Rainbow, it caught my interest. I wasn’t expecting the feelings that this book evoked. I felt everything from joy to horror to sadness.

I will admit, I went into Look for Me Under the Rainbow with a certain mindset. I thought that it was going to be a children’s book about a young seal pup named Danny and his adventures. Well, that isn’t the case. Instead, I got a book that showed exactly how hard a harp seal’s life is and the dangers they face.

Danny was a great main character. His curiosity and innocence were what I expected from a harp seal pup. The questions he asked were what I expected a child to ask. But, like all children, Danny disobeys his mother, and there are consequences.

The harp seal pups slaughter was horrifying. I had thought that clubbing them to death had ended. The other horrors that the author described (being skinned alive and left to die) made me sick to my stomach. I kept thinking to myself, “How is that humane??? They are babies!!!” I cannot believe that this is allowed. That is when my horror turned to outrage.

The author also showed what the seals went through if they survived the slaughter. Everything from natural enemies (killer whales and polar bears) to human-made hazards (oil spills to nets left floating in the ocean). It was heartbreaking.

I liked that the author showed that people are trying to do the right thing. The Rainbow Warriors and Helen tried to stop the slaughter. How they did it was smart. I wouldn’t have thought to do that!! But those activists are only a small handful of people. More people need to help.

Look for Me Under the Rainbow is a short book, actually a novella. Marketed towards children, I was a little iffy about the age range on this. I decided on Tween because I felt that the younger kids could be traumatized by the descriptions of the seal pup slaughter.

The end of Look for Me Under the Rainbow wasn’t a happy one. But it wasn’t a sad one either. It was an eye opening one. ...more

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Dec 25, 2020 Stephanie Jane rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-europe

See more of my book reviews on my blog, Literary Flits

Look For Me Under The Rainbow is a real tearjerker of a novella. Bernard Jan begins his story from the point of view of a curious young seal pup, Danny, learning about life on remote ice floes. The character of Danny is obviously anthromorphised to a certain extent, but I felt this was done sensitively and the effect is absolutely worth the slight suspension of disbelief required of me as a reader. Danny's mother teaches him about the natural ...more

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May 21, 2018 Toni Osborne rated it really liked it

This is a very touching novella about a pup seal name Danny who spends his days playing with his brother and learning life skills from his mother. It also brings out those with big heart and a desire to save animals: the environmentalists. Helen is a young activist and a crew member of the Rainbow Warriors and will lead the way in the last part of this very emotional journey.

This powerful story invokes all sorts of emotions and focuses on the many dangers Danny faces from birth on. The narration ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Ingmar rated it it was amazing

A longer review also appeared on http://www.ingmaralbizu.com/look-for-...

An Author with Something to Say,

If A World Without Color was about the last weeks with his cat Marcel, Look for Me Under the Rainbow is about baby seals hunt for their fur. Like the first book, it is a tearjerker and not an easy read for those of us with sensibilities.

What he does right is personify these little creatures, give them personalities, myths and a culture. They feel not like animals but people. Another accomplis ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Elaine Emmerick rated it it was amazing

A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORY!

"Look for Me Under the Rainbow" is a beautiful yet tragic story about the plight of white harp seal pups. Danny, a young seal pup asks his mother about "man". "Man is dangerous", she says to him. Yet, he sees a woman with blonde hair approach him and touched his fur - she looks kind-hearted.

The journey that begins with Danny and his adopted brother Jon, as they make their way with the others to Greenland is filled with many emotions...love, fear, loneliness and death. ...more

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May 03, 2018 Adam Webling rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult

First of all, can we take a moment to look at how haunting and powerful this cover is. It took me a second to realise what was in the foreground, but once you do, you understand this story is going to be emotional.

And emotional it was. Following a young seal, this novella explores the mass killing of seal pups and the effects humans are having on the oceans. It’s an important read that highlights human greed and cruelty in an accessible way. It’s told from a seals POV, so you are fully immersed ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Jo Trimgym rated it it was amazing

Another great book by this Croatian writer with a powerful message regarding conservation/animal protection/environment. Certainly worth reading.

This book follows the story of a little seal pup Danny and his family and shows us the dangers that lurk out there for them. Not only in the form of natural challenges, but also very much so in the form of what we as humans throw their way. From the thoughtless killing of seal pups for their skins, just leaving their flesh to rot, to our fishing nets in ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Ivan rated it it was amazing

The message is pretty straightforward. I liked how it was written from a seal's perspective, makes people think about what the animals, themselves, might be thinking.

The writing style is amazing, the narration is unique as it's a story from the animal's point of view.

This is a really good book with an awesome story and writing from an animal's perspective regarding people and the dangers and threats that humans can be regarding animals. ...more

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Jan 24, 2019 Sara Kjeldsen rated it it was amazing

I loved this short story about a sweet young harp seal who faces both adventure and loss. This is a gentle, but realistic tale about the life many seals face out in the wild - with humans being their most feared predator. While very sad in parts, I found this story to be very though-provoking and encouraging. If only we can stay brave and true to ourselves even when the darker parts of the world show us their horrible faces.

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Oct 17, 2019 Angela rated it it was amazing

5 Stars

Look For Me Under the Rainbow by Bernard Jan is an incredibly passionate eye-opening reading experience, which has stayed with me long after I finished the last page. It is a thought-provoking tale which highlights the plight of the Harp Seals and what we humans inflict on them every year. I hadn’t realised that seal hunting still continues to this day- I honestly thought it was abolished decades ago- so I learned quite a bit, not only from the story- but also from my investigation into t ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Robin rated it really liked it

i was immediately drawn to the cover of this novella that popped up on my suggestions and being that it was free i thought why not so i read it one night recently. it is written in a way that is probably geared more so to younger readers and isn't as graphic as a lot of the stories i remember hearing in the news a few years back when this book was probably written, so it is safe and educational for all ages.

the story is told from a baby seal's perspective as well as an animal rights activist's. i was immediately drawn to the cover of this novella that popped up on my suggestions and being that it was free i thought why not so i read it one night recently. it is written in a way that is probably geared more so to younger readers and isn't as graphic as a lot of the stories i remember hearing in the news a few years back when this book was probably written, so it is safe and educational for all ages.

the story is told from a baby seal's perspective as well as an animal rights activist's. you see the baby seal being born and starting to grow up and learn about the life and its beauty, and also about the consequences of not listening to what his mommy told him and his brother about predators and staying with their group as they migrated. obviously i know that not all babies survive with predators constantly lurking, but it was still sad knowing what happened and you have to wonder if maybe their deaths might have been prevented if they had stayed with their group. but then again, their sister was with the group and was killed by a man instead of a polar bear, so it is hard to say.

animals have always been hunted both by people and other animals, sometimes for food and survival, sometimes for sport. i remember there was a time where hunters were clubbing baby seals to death, some not even more than a few days old, just for their fur. while i will admit that i do eat meat, i would never purposely harm another living creature (not counting roaches and spiders or things like that) and i cant for my life understand why anyone would beat a helpless baby to death just for a teeny patch of fur. the rainbow warriors, which are animal rights activists mentioned in this story and the lady is part of, have worked hard to try to help prevent this from continuing. i am not sure if it is still as big of an issue as when this book was written, but just reading and learning more about the plight of the baby seals and what so many innocent creatures go through makes you really think about how precious life can be and i can only hope this doesn't continue. sad but moving story that was definitely worth reading. ...more

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Jan 09, 2019 Johanna Aldridge rated it it was amazing

When I first saw this advertised I was immediately drawn to it. As a child, I loved stories about animals and fell in love with the likes of Watership Down, Tarker the Otter, Ring of Brightwater, etc. and Look For Me Under the Rainbow certainly falls in among these greats. You get to follow the life story of a little seal pup, called Danny, and see the world through his eyes right from the moment of his birth.
However, that is not to say that this book is entirely fiction. Most people will have, ...more

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Jul 20, 2018 Happy Booker rated it it was amazing

Look for Me Under the Rainbow is a short story about an environmentalist trying to save a seals life. Helen has to save Danny from the hunters and the ice.

While this book emphasized on the nature aspect of the world and how we are affecting animals and the living. It also touched on pure human emotion and how far one can go to protect an animal.

The literature took me on an emotional ride as we also follow Danny and his life reading along with his experience as a baby seal, his father and what h ...more

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About Bernard Jan

Bernard Jan

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"There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it." - Bernard Jan

Bernard Jan is a novelist and a poet from Croatia, and he has released three books in English.

A World Without Color is a true story of the last three days he spent with his cat, while Look for Me Under the Rainbow in a unique and gentle way sheds light on the plight of harp seal pups in Canada. It warm ...more

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A World Without Color: A True Story Of the Last Three Days With My Cat

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“Sometimes all you need is a big heart and burning desire.” — 4 likes

“All that is best in me I have given to (animals) and I mean to stand by them to the last and share their fate whatever it may be. If it is true that there is to be no haven of rest for them when their sufferings here are at an end, I, for one, am not going to bargain for any heaven for myself. I shall go without fear where they go, and by the side of my brothers and sisters from the forests and the fields, from skies to seas, lie down to merciful extinction in their mysterious underworld, safe from any further torments.” —Preface to The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe” — 1 likes

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