From the award-winning author of the bestselling Library Mouse series
comes a biographical picture book about the true story of rhino champion
Anna Merz and the black rhinoceros Samia. With a portion of the proceeds
being donated to the Lewa Downs Conservancy, this engaging story is
perfect for animal lovers, animal rights enthusiasts, and fans of Me .
. . Jane.
When Anna Merz traveled to East Africa, she became appalled at the
rampant poaching that took place there, specifically toward the black
rhinoceros. Anna devoted her life to protecting the wildlife of the
region, founding a reserve in Kenya called Lewa Downs to care for them.
Anna kept a watchful eye on the animals, especially the rhinos. One day,
Anna found a small black rhino calf, likely abandoned by its mother. So
she nurtured the calf, named it Samia, fed it special formula, and even
let it sleep in her bed.
Everywhere Anna went Samia was never far behind. The two became so
close, in fact, that Anna soon learned how rhinos communicate with one
another. Anna was able to distinguish the rhino's many different grunts
and what she meant by them: "Snort! Snuff," cried Samia ("This is
fun!"); "Hoo-hoo-hoo!" she called ("I'm coming!"). But with time, Samia
got bigger . . . and bigger . . . and bigger--to the point where she
couldn't fit inside Anna's house any longer. It was time for Anna to
make the tough decision she always knew she would have to make at some
point or another: She would need to reintroduce Samia to the wild so she
could lead her life with the rest of her kind.
Richly illustrated with pen, ink, and watercolors, Daniel Kirk's first
nonfiction picture book brings awareness to wildlife protection and
fosters further understanding of animal rescue and welfare, positioned
in a sensitive way that's appropriate for young readers. Kirk traveled
to Kenya to see the reserve firsthand and his photographs grace the back
matter, which includes an author's note and bibliography.
