A Family for Faru

by Anitha Rao-Robinson, Karen Patkau (Illustrator)

Tetenya and his mother have found Faru, a baby rhinoceros, alone on the savannah. They know that rhino herds will adopt orphaned infants, but finding the rangers who protect local herds may be a long and risky prospect―there are poachers lurking about the landscape. Undaunted, Tetenya sets out, leading Faru past giraffes CHOMP-CHOMPING on acacia leaves, amongst the PATTER-PATTERING footsteps of young warthogs, and around guinea fowl SCRITCH-SCRITCHING the earth for seeds. Suddenly, danger is upon them: two poachers are coming near. There are only seconds to spare, and Tetenya has nothing but his wits and a basket of berries to help him.

In A Family for Faru, author Anitha Rao-Robinson draws inspiration from her life-changing time spent on the savannah and from conservationists’ innovation to discourage poachers: injecting a pink dye into rhinoceros horns. Award-winning illustrator Karen Patkau’s dreamy landscapes reflect her own travels in the region and celebrate the courage and ingenuity of a young boy as he helps his four-legged friend find a place to belong.

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming story of a boy committed to helping an orphaned baby rhino. everyone can make a difference.

[Joan Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Family for Faru , written by Anitha Rao- Robinson , and illustrated by Karen Patkau, is published by Pajama Press.

The author and illustrator together, approach a difficult topic, in an age appropriate manner. Do you love animals? Do you care about the plight of animals on our planet? If you answered yes, to one of these questions, then you’ve found the perfect book. Well worth introducing to young readers!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tetenya saves Faru's life from hunters when they try to take him, he puts pink berries on Faru's horn. The genius idea saves Faru's life by rendering the horn worthless. Faru goes to live with a herd of rhinos that are protected by rangers thanks to Tetenya's bright idea.

[Lynn Leitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story, both in words and pictures. It shows the strong connections we have with animals and how powerful children can be. Excellent read!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy cares for an orphaned rhino while trying to find him a new family.

The illustrations are so obviously digital as to make the book somewhat un-enjoyable.