This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Keeling!
Written by Jeanne McNaney and illustrated by David Cochard, Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus is one of the most original picture books that I’ve read. Gabriella, the guardian angel of the Sumatra forest, transforms a young girl named Maya into an orangutan to help Gus the orangutan rescue his parents and to help the adult humans understand the devastation caused by animal trade and deforestation. The story introduces religious elements into what I would typically consider a legend-style narrative. The illustrations are colorful, with highly expressive faces, but they contain a couple of inconsistencies. At one point the story says that a man is hanging over a “raging waterfall”, but the illustration shows him dangling above two crocodiles in still water, and Maya’s outfit changes from t-shirt and jeans at the start of the book to a dress at the end. The style of illustration is one that I could see appealing to a wide age range of children. There is a lot of text, more than my kids were willing to sit through at their current ages (two and nearly four). They did, however, enjoy looking at the pictures while I narrated an abbreviated version of the story – and I think an older child would enjoy hearing the book or reading it on their own.
I think the book could be enhanced by including an educational section at the back with a few scientific facts, as I have found in several other books on similar topics. You can find more information on these topics through the book website. As it stands, the book is a great way to get children thinking about the impacts of animal trade and deforestation, and it encourages young people to stand up for others.
I received a copy of this book to review, and I have been offered a second copy as a giveaway. I’m excited to say that this giveaway is open WORLDWIDE! To enter:
- Tell me why you are interested in this book (mandatory entry)
- Tell me which of the charities listed at the book website you find most interesting (1 extra entry)
- Follow this blog (1 extra entry)
- Subscribe to this blog via email (1 extra entry)
You can leave separate comments, or you can tell me which things you did in a single comment – I’ll compile all entries into a spreadsheet to choose the winner so it doesn’t matter to me which one you do.
This giveaway runs until 9am US Eastern Time on February 15th, at which point I will choose a winner via random.org.
I always like to have new picture books to read to my girls.
Marci´s last blog ..Story Time
I follow your blog.
Marci´s last blog ..Story Time
I would like to win because we like to read about other cultures and animals of the world. And I follow your blog :) There are a lot of charities listed on the website, but the one that we contribute is WWF.
Natalie´s last blog ..The Art Box – February 8, 2010
Your review is really informative and it looks like a very interesting book. I would love to enter the giveaway as this is a book I’m sure both myself and sunnyboy would enjoy. I’m a follower of your blog. :)
sunnymama´s last blog ..Love and Kisses GIVEAWAY
I’m not entering the contest, but the book sounds fabulous. I LOVE children’s books! Thanks for the review and recommend. I will check it out.
I am also following you from MBC.
It sounds like a great book. I’d be interested in looking at it because of the message, though I’m interested in how it is presented. As far as the organization, Love 146!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy´s last blog ..A kiss
Thanks so much for the giveaway – please count me in.
I love children’s books – and this one has the most glorious cover.
Thanks!
Libby’s Library´s last blog ..Barbora Knobova / Author Guest Post
The Jane Goodall Institute.
Thanks
Libby’s Library´s last blog ..Barbora Knobova / Author Guest Post
Following – (Neas)
Thank you.
Libby’s Library´s last blog ..Barbora Knobova / Author Guest Post
Email subscriber – thanks so much.
Libby’s Library´s last blog ..Barbora Knobova / Author Guest Post
I’m interested to win this because it presents few scientific facts and it sounds like a good book to read
I think Orangutan Foundation International is very interesting because very few organizations support a group like this
Bachuchay´s last blog ..The HoneySuckle House Blog – Miche Bag Shell Cover Giveaway
I’m interested int his book because I’m trying to build up my daughter’s library with good books. She’s just gotten out of the ripping stage and I think it’s time to encourage her interest in books!
I think the Defenders of Wildlife sound interesting, I’ve never heard of them before!
I love to win this for my daughter because she LOVES books.
The charity listed at the book website that I find the most interesting is WWF
I follow your blog
I subscribe to your blog via email
I would love to win this because we are book crazies around here :)
Keeling´s last blog ..Tie-Dyed Coffee Filters
Love animal books!!
My nephew Jack would love this book-he is an animal lover
follow blog
email subscriber
*– Not an entry –*
Just wanted to let you know that I listed your giveaway in my blog!
Here’s the link:
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/childrens-book-from-joey-publishing.html
I hope it brings you more participants & followers. :)
Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com
I am interested in this book as any book that teaches about other cultures and countries through a story is a great one to have.
Julie´s last blog ..Postcards
We read every night before bed and animal stories are some of Lydia’s favorite. Anything that teaches her about other countries and about how we need to care about other creatures is very important.
I like that they support Polar Bears International. I love bears.
I would like to win this book for my kids because they love animal stories.
The charity I find most interesting is the Defenders of Wildlife.
I follow on Google friend connect.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
Love to win this book. My daughter love to read books. We always borrowed books from the library.
Followed your blog!
melanie´s last blog ..Baby registry
I want to show my little niece book
I would love to win this book to read with my grandkids.
I love polar bears and they are becoming extinct so that would be my choice of a charity
I’m a new follower of ur blog
I subscribed by email