The Crane and the Keeper: How an Endangered Crane Chose a Human as Her Mate by Meeg Pincus & illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara [review]

The Crane and the Keeper (ages 4 - 8)

  

ISBN: 9781536232363
Hardcover $18.99 USA
Smithsonian Kids
Candlewick Entertainment

My thoughts:  An interesting true story about an endangered species female crane whose name is "Walnut" that is isolated from her peers and fails to manage to imprint adequately on the cranes to enable her to mate and reproduce. This is sad because her being able to reproduce will provide more varied dna in the remaining cranes to enable healthy reproduction.

She sadly imprints on a young man who is a crane keeper. He is innovative in his care and develops a way to help her. She ultimately begins to raise her own young and so enables the cranes to survive.

A well written text that is gently illustrated  will provide entertaining education demonstrating the need for humans to intercede when necessary but to avoid imprinting on young animals (or birds). 

I found it interesting that this particular crane lived to be 42 years old and Chris Crow, her "crane keeper," was her care taker the entire time.

Note: A Junior Library Guild Selection.

About the book: The true story, widely reported on social and in print media, of a white-naped crane who saw her human keeper as her mate—forging a remarkable connection that might just save a species 

What was wrong with Walnut? The white-naped crane was friendly and curious—except when it came to other cranes. Raised by humans, Walnut didn’t see herself as a bird and could not live peacefully—or breed—with others of her species. Rejected by several zoos, she arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Conservation Biology Institute. Would this be her last chance? Meanwhile, Chris Crowe had also just arrived at the zoo, as crane keeper. It was his job to care for and help breed the birds at the institute. It was clear that breeding Walnut wasn’t going to be easy, but with skill and patience, Chris slowly earned the crane’s trust, and an extraordinary partnership evolved. In a Smithsonian Kids picture book sure to appeal to wildlife fans—and anyone who appreciates a unique unlikely friendship tale—award-winning author Meeg Pincus shares the story of the incredible bond between a crane and her keeper.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.