Jeff Corwin

December 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-Corwin began learning about animals at age three when he was given his first pet, a goat. Once his curiosity about animals was kindled, he never stopped exploring their world. This enthusiastic recounting of his life is a straightforward telling of the work it takes to realize a personal dream. Corwin shares the triumphs as well as the setbacks on his path to success. He also describes some of the mistakes he has made with wildlife. For example, he tried to eat raw harvester ants without studying the recipes of Native Americans, and they attacked the inside of his mouth and injected his cheeks, gums, and tongue with acid. This is a fast, easy read filled with entertaining anecdotes for animal lovers and fodder for biography assignments. A center section of full-color photographs of Corwin posed with some of the animals he studies is exuberant and fun. His larger-than-life personality shines through."Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2009
Grades 4-8 In this approachable paperback, the host of Animal Planet, Corwins Quest, Planet in Peril, and other popular TV programs blends his exciting adventures in the wild with his passionate call for conservation. Although he failed biology in high school, Corwin went on to become one of the worlds most celebrated wildlife biologists. He traces his interest in animals back to childhood; his curiosity about snakes, for example, started when he was bitten by a garter snake in a woodpile in his parents backyard. An insert of beautifully reproduced color photos from his global travels show him with a giraffe in Kenya, a moose in Alaska, and more. But whether he is talking about the importance of poop as a biological learning tool or about his encounter with a cheetah in Namibia or being grabbed by an elephant in Cambodia, he also speaks about the importance of conservation in the incredible frontier that starts in kids own backyards. The multiple exclamation marks are unnecessary, but the adventures are thrilling, and the messages are urgent.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)