Module 7: Owen and Mzee

Summary. The first sentence reads, "This is the story of two great friends: a baby hippopotamus named Owen, and a 130-year old giant tortoise named Mzee." Sound crazy? Yes, but in a heart-warming way that many animal lovers will appreciate. A pod of hippos were in the path of a tsunami; all were killed, except one stranded baby hippo struggling to survive. Humans, many of whom had been devastated by the storm as well, worked tirelessly to save him; they named him after one of his rescuers, Owen Sobien. He was taken to an animal refuge where he met a giant Aldabra tortoise named Mzee. Mzee spent most of his time alone, and didn't like much of anyone, either animal or human, until he met Owen. The lonely, desperate little (600 lb.) Owen adopted this "mama-sized" tortoise and soon they were inseparable. The last sentence tells it all: "Our most important friends are sometimes those we least expected."

Citation. Hatkoff, Isabella and Craig, and Paula Kahumbu. Owen and Mzee: the true story of a remarkable friendship. Photography by Peter Greste. New York: Scholastic. 2006. Print.

My Impressions. I don't know what I like best about this book. The writing is clear and uplifting, it tells the story of these two creatures in faraway Africa without bogging down in detail or glossing over difficulties. The photography, by a BBC photojournalist, is stunning, and shows more than the words could tell. The story itself is unexpected, has many twists and turns, and has a happy ending. There is information about geography, biology, ecology, veterinary science, wildlife preservation ... the list goes on and on. All I can say is, "How did it take me this long to read this book?"

Awards. American Library Association Notables (2007); School Library Journal Starred Review (2006); Publishers Weekly Best Books (2006); Publishers Weekly Starred Review (2006); American Booksellers Association Book Sense Children's Picks (Summer 2006), Orbis Pictus recommended reads, and several state book awards.

Library Uses. I've seen this book performed as a puppet show for preschoolers, and it was great. As a discussion starter for elementary aged children, it could be read aloud before asking some questions about animals, friendship, kindness, or ecology. One could even show just one or two photos from the book and have young children make up a story about why the picture is that way (the hippo is going to eat the tortoise, they met in the jungle, whatever).

Reviews. (Publisher's Weekly) Remarkable" seems too tame a word for this memorable book about a friendship between two wild creatures. Its genesis lay in Greste's photo of a baby hippo snuggling with a giant tortoise, which appeared in newspapers the month after the cataclysmic 2004 tsunami. Craig Hatkoff and his then six-year-old daughter, moved by that image and by the accompanying article, decided to learn more about these animal companions-and to write their story. They do so succinctly and smoothly, ably aided by Kahumbu, manager of the Kenyan animal sanctuary, Haller Park, where the two creatures now live. Greste's crisp, closely focused photos will instantly endear the title characters to readers. When the tsunami struck Kenya, Owen was separated from his mother and the rest of their pod and became stranded on a coral reef. Several spreads chronicle the hippo's difficult rescue and transport to the sanctuary. Once set loose, he immediately scrambled toward Mzee (the Swahili term for "wise old man"), a 130-year-old Aldabra tortoise: "Owen crouched behind Mzee, the way baby hippos often hide behind their mothers for protection." The unadorned text allows the facts themselves to move readers, making clear how the improbable bond between the now inseparable mammal and reptile has helped resilient Owen recover from his traumatic ordeal. ("Most [wildlife experts] have never heard of a mammal... and a reptile... forming such a strong bond.") Priceless images document the pair swimming together or nuzzling, their rough skins complementing each other. In several of Greste's photos, the two creatures appear to have genuine smiles on their faces. Readers will have the same. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

(School Library Journal) K-Gr 5-When the six-year-old contributor to this book saw the photograph documenting the extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise (Mzee), she persuaded her father to help tell their story. Originally an e-book, the hardcover version begins with images of the duo, whetting readers' appetite and providing reassurance as the potentially disturbing plot unfolds. After a scene depicting a pod of hippos near the Sabuki River in Kenya, the text describes the 600-pound baby's displacement and separation from the group during the 2004 tsunami. Children witness the challenging rescue and meet the knowledgeable staff at an animal sanctuary. From Owen's first approach for protection to Mzee's unexpected tolerance, the photographs, mostly by BBC photojournalist Greste, capture the pair eating, swimming, snuggling, and playing together. Their contentment and peace are palpable. Because it is sensitively structured, with careful choices about what is emphasized and illustrated, the situation does not overwhelm readers. The text and the back matter are brimming with information about the animals, their caregivers, and the locale. This touching story of the power of a surprising friendship to mitigate the experience of loss is full of heart and hope. A worthy complement is Ann Morris and Heidi Larson's glimpse at a human family's loss and recovery in Tsunami: Helping Each Other (Millbrook, 2005).-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.