Summer Reading Pick -- Owen & Mzee

Who knew that a baby hippo and an aged tortoise could be good friends?  Can't say I ever thought about such a pair until reading Owen & Mzee -- The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by 6-year-old Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu with remarkable photographs by Peter Greste.  Nor did I know that adult hippos, weighing in at 8,000, are the most dangerous animals in Africa or that an Aldabra Tortoise, is the largest species of tortoise in the world and can live up to 200 years!! 


When  Owen, a  600 pound baby hippo, was separated from his mother during a Tsunami in December 2004, rescuers went to extraordinary lengths to save him from the deadly salty water (hippopotami live in fresh water) and  transport him to Haller Park, an animal sanctuary outside of Mombasa (in Africa), home to more than 150 large animals living on 150 acres.  And, it was after that dramatic rescue that the young hippo met and befriended Mzee, a 130 year old tortoise.  Caretakers noted that Mzee was not a particularly friendly animal, he was a loner who initially hissed at Owen and crawled away.  But in less than 24 hours, the two became friends.  And, the story of their unique friendship was heard throughout the world.


For those, like me, who missed the original news reports, the book is a wonderful telling of the complete story of the rescue, the introduction of the two animals and their lasting friendship.  It is also complete with information about both species, the geography of Kenya and Malindi and a description of Haller Park.  An enjoyable read for friends of all ages.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Major Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson is one of those books that makes you laugh, cry, cheer and scream. The book, detailed in photographs and emails from Iraq, offers a hard look at some of the unforgotten victims of war. It's the story of a stray dog in the middle of war-torn Iraq who, not only fights to survive, but chooses the person he decides he is going to survive with. Major Brian Dennis names the pitiful leader of the pack of wild dogs Nubs, because obviously someone has butchered the starving dog's ears -- and that's just the beginning. From the time the Major meets the young adult dog in October 2007, until the time the dog boards a plane in early 2008 from Jordan to San Diego by way of Chicago, the reader keeps wondering "How can this dog survive?"

Read this book! Tell your teachers and librarians to get this book and read it to students and classes. Share it with friends and siblings. I got this book six hours ago -- I've read it twice, once by myself and once with my son, Max. I plan on reading it tomorrow in class at Takoma Education Center, and then, again and again. This is a BIG story told sparingly in a little book -- it's about a man and a dog, but it is also about friendship, compassion, camaraderie and will. The war in Iraq is now in its 9th year; when reading The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle you will cheer wildly for Nubs and Major Dennis, but you'll also wonder when will the suffering end.