Review by Booklist Review
This beautiful photo-essay explores the animal-human connection and the urgency of the work to save the fastest land animals on earth. Hansen worked at the huge nature reserve and research center owned by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Namibia, southwestern Africa, and her account, which includes stories of animals raised at the center, packs in a lot of zoological information about cheetahs' life cycle, physiology, and role in the food chain. Hansen explains how conservation groups are helping the animals, (including the work to resolve conflicts with local farmers and the involvement of schoolchildren in raising awareness of the animals' plight) and the book offers an abundance of large, clear color photos, many taken by the author. Fans of books by Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey will identify with Laurie Marker, founder of the CCF\b , where\b science and research combine with tough love. A map, some fascinating scientific facts, a glossary, and a list of Web sites are included. --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Meet Chewbaaka, an ambassador for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. He is the subject of this book and has charmed many visitors, school groups, and area farmers. Chewbaaka is a rescued cheetah, raised with humans, and has a powerful purr. However, it is Laurie Marker, Time magazine's Hero of the Planet, who is responsible for his success story. Her research, PR work, and guidance have changed the cheetah's survival rates. In addition to bits of information about the animal's eating habits, size, and lifespan, Hansen, who worked for the CCF, also outlines the organization's methodology, care, and programming. Readers go along with Dr. Marker to rescue a baby cheetah, walk into the veterinary surgery to see a life saved, and observe a successful cheetah release. Well-conceived placement of the text and photographs with CCF's trademark side-strip of cheetah fur make the pages pop, but part of the report feels like "what Hansen did on her summer vacation" because of the short, choppy sentences. Overall, though, this is an effective photo journal of an African adventure and a CCF publicity piece outlining its work. It shows progress against ignorance and destruction as area farmers are educated to the real versus perceived threats to the cheetah and are given specially trained dogs to protect their goats. While there are many other books about cheetahs, this is the only one about the CCF in action.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Hansen visits the reserve of the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, describing the research and outreach efforts of the group and providing basic information about cheetahs. The many photographs capture the beauty and grace of the animals, as well as illustrate the researchers' work feeding, training, and caring for cheetahs that could not survive on their own. Websites. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
