Unlikely Heroes

August 4, 2014
Jennifer Holland (Unlikely Friendships) continues her series of profiles of amazing animals in this heartwarming and inspiring collection of tales of animalistic altruism. Featured in her latest are stories of dolphins saving swimmers from sharks and dogs alerting their owners to fires. There's Scarlett, the calico cat who repeatedly dashed into a burning building to save her five kittens; Alyna, the rabbit who uses a specially designed set of wheels to compensate for her paralyzed rear legs; Jasmine, the sweet Greyhound that has mothered animals of all kinds from birds and foxes to badgers and fellow dogs; and Wicket, a dog who's helping conservationists identify and track rare animal species. Holland's book is pure celebration of different animals and their amazing feats. Fans of her previous work will likely lap this one up. Readers looking to explore the nuances of animal altruism will likely be left wading in the shallow end of the pool. Color photos.

November 1, 2014

Gr 5-8-In this heartwarming follow-up to Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom (2011) and Unlikely Loves: 43 Heartwarming True Stories from the Animal Kingdom (2013, both Workman), Holland whips up enthusiasm for the selfless acts of different animals. The book is divided into "Superheroes" (animals engaging in thrilling acts of bravery, such as dolphins who rescue divers from great white sharks), "Everyday Heroes" (creatures still making an impact, including a llama that comforts the elderly and disabled), and "Big-Picture Heroes" (those unknowingly contributing to a larger effort, such as housecats that, through in-vitro fertilization, are gestating and giving birth to endangered black footed kittens). The heroes here run the gamut from wild to tame: rats sniff out landmines, a hippo saves a baby gazelle from a crocodile, a horse rescues his owner from an attacking dog, and more. A charming design enhances the text. Inspirational quotes set the mood for each section, insets throughout add related facts, and eye-catching photographs add to the adorable factor. The upbeat text has a positive tone, but these stories aren't mere fluff. They include plenty of quotes from experts, and Holland casts a critical eye over these tales, being careful not to anthropomorphize; for instance, when writing about the heroism of elephants, she also emphasizes that these large animals can be destructive. A sweet look at the animal kingdom.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

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