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Reviews
The Three-Legged Kitten
This book is a great example of the mission of the Little Five Star division of the Five Star Publication company. Their goal is to teach children to be tolerant of diversity and differences, as well as to learn the consequences of their decisions.
Children can see how even a perceived disability does not necessarily mean that one is limited. Though Tri-Ike is missing a leg, she is still able to run and frolic like any other cat. This can lead to a conversation about disabilities in humans, as well.
The story also teaches how to care for animals, no matter what, and to love them.
Again, Samuel Lopez provides colorful illustrations that will appeal to children. The end of the book is filled with real photographs of the real-life Tri-Ike, playing and having fun. You can’t help but fall in love with her spunk and vitality.
[more]
Stinky Little Scroungy
Most of the accompanying illustrations in this book are real photographs of the animals who live on the farm. Just a few of Samuel Lopez’s signature illustrations are in there. But these photographs bring a strong sense of truth and reality to the story.
The story demonstrates the kind of cruelty to animals that exists in this world, and shows how love and compassion can bring about miracles. It’s a great learning tool for children. [more]
Our Orphaned Owls
This is another book that is great for teaching children how to be compassionate toward animals. They learn how to care for birds, as well as a glimpse into the life cycle of the owl. It will make a good addition to any scientific study about birds in general, or specifically owls. [more]
The Miracle of the Little Kitten
The story uses a mix of child-like illustrations, interspersed with real photographs of Miracle. I think children will enjoy the illustrations and go crazy for the adorable pictures of the baby kitten.
The book can be used to teach children to be compassionate toward animals. It can also be a springboard for discussion about care of kittens. [more]
Our Orphaned Owls
Farmer Samuel Lopez and his wife Cheri lived in a century old farmhouse. Year after year a pair of owls chose to nest in a nearby eucalyptus tree. The joy of new life is always exciting and the couples, human and animal alike, enjoyed watching the "tiny owlets" grow into "soaring, swooping juvenile birds." During the sixth year the Lopez family welcomed a new family, but something was amiss in the air. The weather began to change and a storm began to brew. The storm lasted for many days and even the "hundred-and-twenty-year-old" eucalyptus tree was not able to protect one member of the owl family. Mr. Owl continued to bring food to his two owlets, but Mrs. Owl had disappeared.
Mr. Owl could bring the food, but he probably didn't have the know-how that would enable him to raise his little family. The nest was soon abandoned and Cheri's mothering instincts kicked in and she took the little owlets under her figurative wings and into her home. She dried them off and began to feed them. The smallest owlet, who probably had very little chance for survival, "might never have the chance to experience life on the hundred-year-old farm." The human parents began to nurse the baby owlets and fed them a diet that mimicked that which their own parents would have provided. Would their efforts prove useful or would the babies end up in a "backyard pet cemetery?"
I let this book languish on my desk for a few days and didn't even crack the cover, but once I did I was very interested in the story of the little owlets. Had one of the photographs on the inside pages been on the cover, I would have immediately been browsing its pages. The photographs are very appealing and make the reader want to give the old woot-woot cheer in hopes that the babies would survive. The story is charming and pulled me along quite quickly to find out just what happened at the Compassionate Pet Sanctuary where apparently many lost animal souls found a haven. The story would be a nice read and discuss story during circle or story time in a homeschool or classroom setting.
Quill says: "Whoooiiee, hoo-hooo, woot-woot-woot-woot..." this is a lovely, heartwarming tale that will captivate animal lovers everywhere!
The Miracle of the Little Kitten
Farmer Samuel could hear the pitiful mewing of a kitten, but could neither see nor hear him once he stopped to listen. Farmer Samuel and his wife Cheri lived in a hundred-year-old farmhouse, turned pet sanctuary, but every new life, especially one in trouble was of concern. Many times in the course of the day he heard the kitten cry out, but try as he might the baby could not be located. He thought perhaps he was going daffy and said to himself, "Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me." There have been stranger things happen, but realistically he knew there was an animal in need and it had to be found. The search went on for days and he knew that time would be limited for this baby if it he didn't locate it.
He couldn't find the kitten, but on the fifth day of the search, a day the baby surely would have died, Stinky Little Scroungy ran toward him "with something furry in her mouth." Stinky, who came up smelling like a rose, had found the little kitten, but he was "cold, stiff, and barely moving." Farmer Samuel rushed him in the house and put him next to the warmth of the woodstove. He hopped into his truck and dashed off to the general feed store to purchase some life-giving supplies for the new household addition. The farmer and his wife, Cheri, began to try to nurse the kitten and try to coax some life into him. They named him Miracle and hoped he would survive. After so many days outside, was this little one going to make it?
This is the type of heartwarming story I can definitely get into quite quickly. The book immediately brings the reader into the drama of this little lost kitten and makes him or her want to race to the end, hopefully to find a positive resolution. There was just the right amount of tension to get me to race to the end. A photograph of the kitten (probably the first), taken next to a pen, indicates to the reader just how tiny this kitten was and how dire the situation actually was. This is one story in a series of books about the Compassionate Pet Sanctuary. If you're an animal lover, you're going to love this little series of animal books!
Quill says: Cat lovers of the world are going to just love this purr-fect little Miracle story!
"In the animal rescue work I’ve done in Arizona and now here in North
Carolina, I often say (at least somewhat jokingly) that I’ve given up trying
to teach adults the importance of taking care of their companion animals.
In children, however, I always find a receptive and eager audience. That
gives me great hope for the future of all animals and for our society.
Samuel Lopez does a fantastic job of reaching children with the important
message of caring for animals."
Paul M. Howey, award-winning author of
Freckles: The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert
"I love stories about animals, and this is a heartwarming one. This series
of books teaches children the importance of kindness and compassion
towards animals and the joy that saving a little life can bring. I believe
that if children are taught at an early age to respect animals, they will help
make the world a better place. Children are taught by example, and the
examples that Samuel and Cheri Lopez show in this book will warm every
reader’s heart."
Rochelle Murphy, Volunteer
Crash’s Landing Cat Rescue and Placement Shelter
Published by: Little Five Star, a division of Five Star Publications, Inc.
ISBN: The Three-Legged Kitten (ISBN 978-1-58985-157-3)
Stinky Little Scroungy (ISBN 978-1-58985-158-0)
Our Orphaned Owls (ISBN 978-1-58985-159-7)
The Miracle of the Little Kitten (ISBN 978-1-58985-160-3)
Size: 8x8 / 24-28 pages
Published: Fall 2009
Price: $15.95 U.S. each/ Soft cover / Nonfiction / Illustrated
Website: www.TrueStoriesAboutSavingAnimals.com
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