Do unto animals A friendly guide to how animals live, and how we can make their lives better

*Starred Review* Stewart has a heart as big as all outdoors, which is helpful since her caring largesse extends to moles and squirrels, goats and sheep, as well as the more-commonplace cats and dogs. A lifelong animal lover and onetime veterinary technician, Stewart evinces a genuine empathy for all creatures, from the lowliest frog to the loftiest owl, and winsomely guides other animal enthusiasts in their desire to develop a more-rewarding relationship with man's best friend, whatever that turns out to be. An ardent proponent for the adoption of rescue animals, Stewart broadens that philosophy to include sanctuaries for farm animals as well. Married to the former host of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart, who announced their plan to create just such a haven for at-risk animals, Stewart is on a mission far above the typical, nominal celebrity cause du jour. Rich in informed insights on animal behavior, augmented by creative craft projects, and alluring with clever watercolor illustrations, Stewart's passionate and practical guide to living with domestic pets, backyard critters, and farm animals artfully combines sensible advice with grassroots advocacy. Stewart's zeal for animal welfare is infectious and sincere, and her desire to create a kinder world for animals and humans is earnest and essential.--Haggas, Carol Copyright 2015 Booklist

Part memoir, part practical guide, and part plea for the humane treatment of animals, this book is truly a dog's breakfast. Stewart, trained as a veterinary tech and spouse of Jon of Daily Show fame, divides her discussion into three sections: house pets, backyard wildlife, and farm animals. Her purpose is "to inspire all animal lovers to learn a little more and do a little more." She highlights the character and needs of the animals, emphasizing what each does for us and what we can do in return; some themes are repeated throughout (e.g., "Stewart Family Traditions," animal body language, crafts, etc.). Much of the book's charm comes from Ashlock's winsome illustrations, whereby even the most loathsome insect becomes cute. Stewart is full of advice, some good ("adopt, don't shop"), some unnecessary (take binoculars when bird-watching), and some just silly ("never approach a cow that is not accustomed to your presence and be sure to have an expert around at all times"). Verdict While the author's heart is unquestionably in the right place, her pen often is not. The writing is at times sloppy and contains errors (e.g., frogs don't eat decaying leaves), which undermines her admirable purpose. [The publisher reports that corrections will appear in a future printing.-Ed.]-Robert Eagan, Windsor P.L., Ont. © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.