Reviews

Gr 3-6‘Transporting tarantulas in a purse may not be the norm elsewhere, but in the George household there's nothing unusual about it at all. A robin in a teacup, an owl in the shower, a bat in the refrigerator...all perfectly ordinary for a family of animal lovers. Noted for her environmental fiction and animal stories, George also shows readers how entertaining real life with wild creatures can be in this delightful autobiographical tale. Continuing a tradition started by her father, the author raised every sort of wild animal right alongside her own children. In a time when "anyone was free to bring home the earth's creatures to nurture and think about," George certainly did. Told in a casual and thoroughly engaging manner, the stories will enchant all animal lovers and even those who aren't. The integration of little-known facts will pique further interest as well. Equally entertaining for adults and children, these brief, amusing vignettes make wonderful read-alouds to share with the whole family.‘Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY

What kind of mother keeps bats in the refrigerator, leaves the windows open so wild crows can fly into the house and doesn't flinch at tarantulas? A mother like Newbery Medalist George (Julie of the Wolves). In this true story about the orphaned animals her family raised and released (they had a permit for wild animal care), she uses her novelist's skill and humor in recounting the escapades of Crowbar, the clever family crow; of Yammer, a screech owl who liked to watch Road Runner cartoons; and of Goose and Duck, who loved riding in the car so much that they once flew into a police cruiser (and got arrested for disturbing the peace). Following tales of domestic delight amid the menagerie of crawfish, boas, wolverines, raccoons, mice and falcons, an epilogue describes the animal-related careers George's grown children now have. It's a one-of-a-kind lesson in living with nature in a far more literal sense than most people ever would undertake, endearingly told. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)