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Book Cover for: Raising Don: The True Story of a Spunky Baby Tapir, Georgeanne Irvine

Raising Don: The True Story of a Spunky Baby Tapir

Georgeanne Irvine

Hardcover
Regular price$14.99With free membership trial$7.4950% off your first book+ Free shipping
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Gold Medal Winner:Benjamin Franklin Award -Young Reader/ Nonfiction (2023)

When Don the tapir was born at the San Diego Zoo, the wildlife care team was ecstatic. He was the first endangered Baird's tapir born at the Zoo in more than 30 years. But Don's mother wouldn't care for her newborn calf. So wildlife care specialists stepped in to ensure the survival of this precious baby tapir.

Don was bottle-fed and cared for around the clock. When he was old enough, caregivers taught him how to swim, a skill that he would have learned from his mother. Don loved splashing in the water as well as getting rubdowns and back scratches. Soon, his team of human friends grew to love Don and his spunky attitude.

When it was time for Don to meet the other animals that shared his home, though, some of them weren't very friendly: they spit on him, made loud noises, and kicked at him. He just made new friends, including his best buddy, a capybara named Bristle.

This is the true story of Don the spunky tapir, who not only survived a rocky beginning to life but also learned to thrive. Don showed that with a confident, spirited attitude, anything is possible, including bringing hope to the future of endangered Baird's tapirs.

Independent Book Publishers Association Gold Medal Winner!

Book Details

  • Publisher: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
  • Publish Date: Oct 11st, 2022
  • Pages: 36
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 9.26in - 9.32in - 0.41in - 0.92lb
  • EAN: 9781943198146
  • Recommended age: 06-10
  • Categories: • Science & Nature - General (see also headings under Animals• Animals - Animal Welfare

About the Author

Irvine, Georgeanne: - When Georgeanne "George" Irvine was a child, she slept with a dozen stuffed animals on her bed--a lion, two teddy bears, a tiger, a monkey, and more. It was indicative of what was to come: a lifelong career at the San Diego Zoo as a champion for wildlife and conservation as well as an author of two dozen children's books about animals. Photographing and learning about animals in their native habitats are passions for George. Her worldwide adventures have taken her to many of the wildest places on Earth--from the jungles, mountains, and forests of Asia and South America to the savannas of Africa as well as the Outback of Australia. George has devoted more than 40 years of her colorful career to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where she is director of publishing.

Praise for this book

"Lots of full-color, high resolution photos of Don, a real-life Baird's tapir at the San Diego Zoo, are a standout feature of this inviting volume, which introduces both basic information about tapirs and showcases the work of wildlife care specialists who work in zoos. . . . Don's adorable snout and soft spots and stripes will lure kids in, and the fascinating information about caring for an animal in captivity will keep them engaged."

--BOOKLIST

"This cheerful, accessible book will have wide appeal and is a terrific addition to any library!"

--proseandkahn blog

Filled with fascinating and inspiring facts about the tapir's journey, readers will find limitless inspiration from Don as well as his caretakers. The photography is stunning, with each image showcasing Don's vivacious personality and determination to succeed. Back matter includes additional information about tapirs, as well as ways to help wildlife. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review! Visit the affiliate link in my bio to purchase your copy today.

Sure to inspire more than one future zoologist!

--@oliviathelibrarian

"Irvine's narrative text is perfectly written so that young children can understand how Don grew to be a healthy young tapir with the support of the San Diego Zoo wildlife care specialists."

--Laura Mossa "beaglesandbooks.com"

"Even though Don the tapir is an animal, I think there will be kids who can relate to his feelings of being scared of something new, feeling hurt by friends or family, and the excitement of a day spent swimming in the pond. . . . The photography makes the readers feel a part of the journey raising Don and his life at the zoo."

-- "sincerelystacie.com"

At the San Diego Zoo, a baby Baird's tapir named Don got off to a rough start: His confused first-time mother didn't know how to care for him, and humans had to take over.

Nicknamed "the cutest watermelon in the world" for the melon-like stripes and spots on his round body, Don thrived -- but faced a tough time learning to be a tapir and making (animal) friends.

Georgeanne Irving's narrative of Don's young life -- and his eventual home at a new zoo -- offers a fascinating tapir's-eye view of the work that zoo employees did. Packed with endearing photos, it's the next-best thing to seeing Don in person.

--The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, VA

I like the honesty about what's involved in raising a zoo baby by hand. And author, Georgeanne Irvine shares the inside scoop, as she has worked at the San Diego Zoo. I also like that backmatter highlights things families can do to help wildlife.