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A Boy and a Jaguar

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals... Then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man "Time Magazine" calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation" as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chen explores truths not defined by the spoken word. Contributor Bio: Rabinowitz, Alan Dr. Alan Rabinowitz has dedicated his life to two causes: protecting the world's thirty-six wild cat species and advocating for stutterers as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America. His conservation work has been chronicled in the New York Times, Scientific American, Audubon, Outside, Jerusalem Report and National Geographic Explorer, among others. He tells audiences that he feels lucky to have been given the gift of stuttering and believes that without it, he would not be on the path of his passion—saving big cats. This is his first book with Houghton Mifflin. Visit www.panthera.org and www.stutteringhelp.org. Contributor Bio: Chien, Catia Catia Chien is an avid painter who works from her studio in Southern California. She is a collection of fun entomology facts and has been known to prefer soup over most other types of food. Besides filled with vivid imagination, her work is described as rich with whimsy, colors, and energy. She is currently producing work for the children's book market, film and animation, comic book anthologies, and galleries.
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from March 3, 2014
      In his first book for children, conservationist and adult author Rabinowitz frames his lifelong struggle with stuttering against his equally long-held love of animals, which led to a career spent studying and advocating for them. “I am a stutterer,” he explains. “If I try to push words out, my head and body shake uncontrollably.” The first-person present-tense narration creates an intimate connection to the author’s pain as he is placed “in a class for disturbed children,” subjected to unsuccessful treatments, and considered “broken” and disruptive by teachers. With animals, however, his words flow easily, and a young Alan promises a lonely jaguar at the Bronx Zoo: “If I can ever find my voice, I will be their voice and keep them from harm.” Shadowy charcoal lines and the often-muted colors of Chien’s paintings amplify Alan’s solitude, but also reflect the profound joy, wonder, and healing he discovers studying animals in the wild. It’s a candid and deeply resonant account of a hard-fought battle against societal stigma, and an embrace of one’s true talent and calling. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Anna Olswanger, Liza Dawson Associates. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

    • School Library Journal

      July 1, 2014

      Gr 2-4-As spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America, Rabinowitz is a role model for those dealing with speech difficulties. As a child, he discovered that, while his ability to communicate with other people was a challenge, he had a rare empathy for animals. In this autobiographical work, listeners learn how he overcome difficulties to gain a college education and eventually become a jaguar conservationist in Central America. The evocative text shows how his feelings of being trapped by a disability are reflected in his understanding of animals that are also unable to communicate their needs. Children coping with speech disorders will find comfort and hope in his example. Adam Grupper narrates the story with clarity and compassion. This audiobook, however, would be best paired with the physical book, because the illustrations add another level of understanding to this warm and inspiring story.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

      Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:670
  • Text Difficulty:3

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