Kakapo Rescue: Saving The World's Strangest Parrot (Scientists In The Field Series) Read Free Books and Download eBooks
On remote Codfish Island off the southern coast of New Zealand live the last ninety-one kakapo parrots on earth. These trusting, flightless, and beautiful birds—the largest and most unusual parrots on earth—have suffered devastating population loss.Now, on an island refuge with the last of the species, New Zealand’s National Kakapo Recovery Team is working to restore the kakapo population. With the help of fourteen humans who share a single hut and a passion for saving these odd ground-dwelling birds, the kakapo are making a comeback in New Zealand.Follow intrepid animal lovers Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop on a ten-day excursion to witness the exciting events in the life of the kakapo.
Lexile Measure: 950L (What's this?)
Series: Scientists in the Field Series
Hardcover: 80 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (May 24, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618494170
ISBN-13: 978-0618494170
Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #837,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #93 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Photography #276 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > History > Exploration & Discovery #416 in Books > Children's Books > Geography & Cultures > Travel
Age Range: 10 - 12 years
Grade Level: 5 - 7
I just finished reading this book aloud over lunch to my kids (six of them, ages 13 to 2) and I would say that it was a hit, overall. As you might expect with that age range, there were various degrees of "getting it" amongst the kids! However, we have also watched a DVD series called *Last Chance to See* that originally introduced us to the Kakapo, so that helped.Pros: fantastic photos! Wow! The text is enthusiastic, beautifully descriptive and has some nicely placed tongue-in-cheek parts. I was particularly interested in the sidebar piece on the original New Zealand conservationist, Richard Henry, and have assigned my 13yo the work of doing a report on him...seems like a great story waiting to be written by someone.Cons: Perhaps I was looking (personally) for some bits of more adult 'depth' to the writing and that would have been out of place for the overall work and it's anticipated audience; I'm not sure. I was greatly saddened by the unspoken but clear ENORMOUS amounts of money spent on each Kakapo alive. I would not want any species to go extinct, but - ouch! - so much on this bird species. However super-cool they are, they do not have the value of human life. Sometimes it's hard to get the right balance.
My daughter and I read many, many books together, but this one has really stuck with us. Perhaps because we had not read anything similar before, but I think it is because it was such an intimate glimpse into an heroic effort to save an animal that is so cute. As a parent, I felt it was an accessible glimpse into the life of a biologist, doing great worth with passion. I hope my daughter some day has the passion of the folks trying to save the Kakapo. My daughter was 8 when we read this and she loved it. The photography was wonderful and you really got a sense of the island and the birds. Highly recommend this one.
The child in me (my wife says that aspect of me never became "inner") was entranced by this book. Nine pound flightless parrots that smell like honey, play peek-a-boo with humans, and growl like puppies? Adult or child, one wants to know more!In simple, and yes, somewhat childlike language, this book details a story that has happened many thousands of times in recent centuries: A prevalent animal or plant species encounters humans and the animals that accompany us (dogs, cats, rats) and is subsequently reduced to extinction, or near extinction. The beauty and intelligence of the Kakapo make their story more poignant, but no more tragic than countless other similar tales. What is powerful about Kakapo Rescue is the fusion of breath-taking photography and the careful, non-judgmental telling of the impact our human presence has had on other living beings. Young and old readers are invited to contemplate how once thriving species (whales, passenger pigeons, kakapo) can be moved from almost innumerable abundance to catastrophic reduction by human action, AND they are invited to contemplate how dedicated, skillful, and committed humans can begin to undo the harm that has been done. The story of individuals, governments, and corporations banding together to nurture a devastated species toward recovery is powerfully hopeful. Regardless of age, a message of hope sometimes seems more a call to action than repeated and relentless tolling of disaster.Dr.Suess attempted to tell the story of our human impact on the Earth to children and adults in whimsical form; Kakapo Rescue tells it in stunning photos, simple and accurate prose, and in age-appropriate scientific language. Much as I admire Dr. Suess, as a young person I would have far preferred this fascinating book to any fictional allegory.Shortcomings? Hmmm. I hungered for more detail, more examples of the intelligent behavior of these birds, a more developed portrait of what it is to be a Kakapo. That said, this is one fine book for both the young, the young at heart, and any lover of nature, regardless of age.
Anyone age eight and above who has an interest in birds, conservation, and the out of doors would enjoy this well written and beautifully presented chapter book. The language is simple enough for young readers and sufficiently complex to hold the interest of adults who are interested in nature. The photographs taken by Nic Bishop are beautiful and like all his other books, make you feel as though your there. Author Montgomery and photographer Bishop traveled to the remote islands that are home to the only remaining kakapo; soft, fluffy, moss-green parrots in New Zealand. For ten days Montgomery and Bishop lived with the scientists, technicians, and volunteers working to save these rare and mysterious parrots. Written with warmth, humor, and suspense, "Kakapo Rescue" is truly and amazing read.
Author Montgomery and photographer Bishop traveled to the remote islands that are home to the only remaining kakapo -- soft, fluffy, sweet-scented (they smell like honey!), moss-green parrots in New Zealand. For ten days Montgomery and Bishop lived with the scientists, technicians, and volunteers working to save these rare and mysterious parrots. Heavy, flightless birds, kakapo nest in underground burrows from which they emerge to forage at night. Once as numerous as the buffalo that roamed the American plains, these defenseless creatures were easy prey when humans brought non-native predators to New Zealand, and by the mid-20th century kakapo were on the brink of extinction. In 1951 only 51 kakapo existed on Earth. As of September 8, 2010, there were 122--thanks to the efforts of New Zealand's National Kakapo Recovery Team. This book's magnificent photographs of exotic long-range vistas and detailed closeups transport the reader to the scenes. Written with warmth, humor, and suspense, "Kakapo Rescue" is highly recommended.
Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot (Scientists in the Field Series) Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot African Grey Calendar - African Grey Parrot Calendar - Parrot Calendar - Calendars 2016 - 2017 Wall Calendars - Bird Calendars - Monthly Wall Calendar by Avonside The Octopus Scientists (Scientists in the Field Series) The Bat Scientists (Scientists in the Field Series) Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia (Scientists in the Field Series) Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives (Scientists in the Field Series) The Tapir Scientist: Saving South America's Largest Mammal (Scientists in the Field Series) The Strangest Secret: For Succeeding in the World Today Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics: Volume II (3rd Edition) (Physics for Scientists & Engineers) Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 1: Mechanics, Oscillations and Waves, Thermodynamics (Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Chapters 1-21) Money: Saving Money: Success: Get More Money & Success In Your Life Now!: 3 in 1 Box Set: Money Making Strategies, Saving Money Strategies & World's Best ... Tips for Personal Finance & Life Success) Paleo Sharks: Survival of the Strangest Earl Nightingale's The Strangest Secret Millennium 2000 Gold Record Recording Money: Saving Money: The Top 100 Best Ways To Make Money & Save Money: 2 books in 1: Making Money & Saving Money (Personal Finance, Making Money, Save Money, Wealth Building, Money) Personal Finance: Budgeting and Saving Money (FREE Bonuses Included) (Finance, Personal Finance, Budget, Budgeting, Budgeting Money, Save Money, Saving Money, Money) Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion Saving the Big Cats: The Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Quarry Books) Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States (Jeffrey Glassberg Field Guide Series) Sea Turtle Scientist (Scientists in the Field Series)
