About this item
Highlights
- An inside look at the life of leopard cubs from nature photographer Suzi Eszterhas World-renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas loves leopards, but their elusive nature makes them hard to photograph.
- 7-10 Years
- 9.6" x 7.6" Hardcover
- 40 Pages
- Juvenile Nonfiction, Animals
Description
About the Book
"Leopards are known for being shy and elusive, and leopard mothers are even more so. Imagine, then, having the rare opportunity to follow and photograph a mother leopard and her cubs. When world-renowned nature photographer Suzi Eszterhas was given the chance to do so, she jumped on a plane to Botswana. And through this collection of informative diary entries and stunning photos, readers are able to share this rare privilege. This compelling chronical of Suzi's time following a female leopard spans roughly a year and a half, but between the informative first-person observations and the photos of rarely seen moments in the wild, the time flies by. The story begins with Suzi arriving at the Jao Reserve in Botswana's Okavango Delta and meeting Kambango, the local tracker and guide who would become her close friend and whose knowledge and expertise she relies on throughout. They go immediately to the mother leopard's den where, after waiting patiently for a number of hours, Suzi catches her first glimpse of the newborn cubs and her joy is palpable. From here on, readers are along for wild ride that is sometimes bumpy (such as a dramatic close encounter with the mother who feared for her cubs' safety), sometimes smooth (the entries and photo captions are rich with observations of the cubs' behavior as they grow up, as well as more general information about leopard behaviour) and sometimes even a bit uncomfortable (such as the grim reality of having to watch the cubs learn to hunt by practicing on a wounded kudu calf). Throughout the whole diary, though, the excitement in Suzi's voice is clear, and her entries are full of her sense of wonder and respect for these amazing and secretive animals. Endmatter includes a Q&A with Kambango, who played such an essential role in this adventure, as well as a glossary of terms."--Book Synopsis
An inside look at the life of leopard cubs from nature photographer Suzi Eszterhas
World-renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas loves leopards, but their elusive nature makes them hard to photograph. So when Suzi is invited to photograph a leopard and her cubs at a nature reserve in Botswana, she packs her bags and boards a plane to Southern Africa!
Through a series of diary entries, Suzi invites readers to follow two leopard cubs as they grow from tiny furballs to fierce predators. It's a dangerous world for leopard cubs, so their mom is always close by--feeding her little ones, protecting them from threats, and teaching them how to survive in the wild. Suzi captures sweet maternal moments, dangerous encounters, and hilarious antics--such as when one of the leopard cubs sleeps in a pile of elephant poop!
Stunning full-color wildlife photography brings the leopard cubs to life, while fun facts throughout the book deepen the reader's understanding of these amazing creatures. Suzi's passionate storytelling and compelling voice will evoke respect for all wildlife and inspire readers to help protect it.
A portion of the royalties from sales of this book will be donated to Children in the Wilderness, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable conservation through the education and leadership development of rural children who live close to African reserves.
Review Quotes
"The author's writing style is perfect for a young audience of animal lovers. She shares her reactions and emotions--excitement, impatience, fear, exhaustion, delight--naturally in easy to read and often amusing text ... Between images and facts, the reader will gain considerable knowledge about this species."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"
"This dynamic diary allows children to follow in the footsteps of a notable photographer and writer. A Leopard Diary is highly recommended for wildlife lovers of all ages."-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"
"Written in a series of present-tense diary entries, the story creates a great sense of immediacy ... An appealing choice for animal lovers."-- "Booklist"
"A gifted animal photographer records encounters with a wild leopard and her offspring ... Fascinating reading and viewing."-- "Kirkus Reviews"
"For young readers, this is an adventure of a lifetime. [A] real treat in book format ... Put this book on the shelves and let readers go on this adventure; it is well worth the purchase."-- "School Library Journal - STARRED REVIEW"