Saving the Baghdad Zoo: A True Story of Hope and Heroes

This is a very interesting subject and book. I was hoping for one that was more appropriate for an elementary aged reader, but I'm still pleased.

Good photos but not a lot about the 'saving'. I got Babylon's Ark at the same time and that book provides provides the history.

already reported on this

A unique perspective on how war affects zoo animals, set in the aftermath of war in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003-2004. This book should suit young readers in grades 2-6, but I found it interesting as an adult. It's 64 pages, with photos, maps, personal narratives, factoids, a source bibliography, and an index. I was especially interested to see the photos of the rescued animals because I'd read Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo, written by Lawrence Anthony.A good story, and even better because it's true! Glad I bought it. These long-suffering zoo animals deserved to be heard, so Halls and Sumner gave them a voice. We see how they were abandoned during the war, left to starve in their cages, and how they won the hearts of a diverse group of helpers: Iraqi citizens in Baghdad, US Army soldiers, wildlife experts from South Africa, etc.The co-author, Major William Sumner, was the military expert assigned to the zoo. It was his job to oversee the zoo, providing care for the abandoned dying animals, and repairing broken cages, water pumps, lights, etc. One of the biggest challenges was finding enough food, water, and medicines for the starving animals in bombed-out Baghdad. In addition, he helped rescue dying animals that were caged in Hussein's palace zoo, without water and food, probably abandoned during the US Army's "Shock and Awe" bombing attack. From the palace menageries and from other private zoos, Sumner and his colleagues rescued starving lions, cheetahs, monkeys, camels, swans, etc. They also rescued 16 pedigreed Arabian horses from the most dangerous part of Baghdad, evading snipers along the way.There are plenty of photos, but they are not of the best quality. Some are blurry or grainy. But still, I was pleased to see photos of old Saedia the blind brown bear (how happy she was to finally feel the earth and grass, after 23 years in a concrete cage), and Xena the lion, and the lion cubs (befriended by dogs), and the sad lonely dehydrated pelican (finally given a pool of clean water), and Lumpy the camel (watered, fed, shaved clean and bug-free), etc., etc.The stories of these neglected animals was heartbreaking, but the book ends on a promising note. Finally, the Baghdad Zoo and her brave animals were in much better condition, ready to welcome public visitors again. A hopeful day.An important story about war and animals, peoples and politics. An account that should be told and remembered!However, the narrative rambles around a bit, and some pages had a light brown background with off-white print, making it a little hard to see the text. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the photos are certainly interesting, but not of professional quality. That's why I went with 3 stars.

A fantastic account of one of the few bright spots of the Iraq War. Well told by the man who lived it and well written and contructed by Kelly Milner Hall. Kudos to both!

When we read this story aloud in class, some of my kids started cheering for the ways that people helped the animals.

Good