Bulu - by Dick Houston (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Fans of narrative non-fiction, true dog stories, and African wildlife will want to check out Bulu!

Born on a crocodile farm in Zambia's untamed South Luangwa Valley, the puppy seemed different from his littermates. Too quiet. Unresponsive. Terriers are usually full of energy and bouncing off walls. But not this one. Nobody wanted him. Enter Anna and Steve Tolan--former police officers who had left behind their life in England to live in the African bush. People thought the Tolans were a bit different, too. The peculiar puppy suited them perfectly. They named him Bulu, or "wild dog" in the local Nyanja language.

Living in the bush, Bulu not only found his voice, he also found his calling as a foster parent to the orphaned baby animals--including warthogs, monkeys, elephants, baboons, bushbucks, and buffalo--cared for by the Tolans. But Bulu's protective nature led him into terrifying situations in the wild. It's a miracle he survived! But survive he did, disarming people with his wacky ways and nurturing once-unwanted creatures like him until they too could be set free. Bulu's story is a joyful confirmation of dogs as unique spirits, capable of love, compassion, and bravery.

Packed with vivid descriptions of encounters with crocodiles, lions, leopards, poisonous snakes, armed poachers, and more--and illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs--Bulu: African Wonder Dog is a great resource for meeting Common Core State Standards that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

About the Author

Dick Houston has spent most of his adult life in Africa as a safari leader, conservationist, writer, and teacher. Born in Ohio, he taught English at schools in the United States, Venezuela, Kenya, and Zambia. As a safari leader, he ran journeys across the Sahara Desert, through the rain forests of central Africa, and in the bush country of eastern and southern Africa. He has written on African topics for Smithsonian, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Reader's Digest. His commitment to saving Africa's vanishing wildlife led him to help found Elefence International, a nonprofit group dedicated to elephant conservation in Zambia. You can learn more about him and Elefence International at www.elefence.org.