Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus review and giveaway



I love children's books that focus on conservation of the environment, teach global awareness, and teach them about endangered animals. Recently I was sent a review copy of “Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus” (Ovation Books, October 2009, 978-0-9814534-6-0); here's what I thought of it:

The Basics
Here's a summary from the publisher:
In “Miracle in Sumatra,” author Jeanne McNaney follows Gus, a young orangutan as he discovers his parents have been trapped by hunters who have come to Sumatra to hunt the orangutan. With the help of his friends, Maya, a little girl, and Gabriella, the guardian of the jungle, Gus sets out to save his parents and teach the trappers about the importance of their natural habitat in Sumatra.

The Bongga
Any book that brings attention to the plight of endangered animals and teaches children about the importance of global conservation is welcome in our home! The gorgeous cover illustration and the fun, colorful comic-book illustrations inside really invite kids to pick this book and open it up. The story is long enough for older children (and there's enough action and suspense to keep them entertained), but the simple language makes it appropriate even for younger readers. Also, I think even young children will be able to relate to the plight of Gus and Maya; my kids certainly did. More importantly, I'm hoping they will find inspiration in Maya's actions and realize they are not too young to speak up and make a difference.

The Blah
I don't mind having angels in the story, especially since Gabriella, the angel, looks more like a Balinese princess than a biblical seraphim, but the constant reference to doing God's Will is sure to turn off parents who are not of the Christian faith -- which is a real pity, because I think eco-responsibility is a moral value that transcends any one religion, and the story would have just as powerful without any religious undertones.

The Bottom Line
If you don't mind the religious references, this is a good book to reinforce the message of global awareness, conservation, and the power of one person to make a difference.


Win It!
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a copy of "Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus". To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and tell me which endangered animal is closest to your heart.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following, (you can only do each extra entry once; please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

1) Become a fan of Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (leave a comment with your FB id).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(leave a comment with your Blogger profile name).

3) Leave a comment on any of my blog posts on Finding Bonggamom (leave a comment here with the link to the post that you commented on).

4) Join any of the other giveaways currently running on Bonggamom Finds (leave a comment here with the name of the other giveaway you joined).

5) Tweet this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your tweet). Here is a sample tweet you can copy and paste:

Win a copy of "Miracle in Sumatra" from @bonggafinds http://tinyurl.com/ybtngne

Maximum of 6 entries per person. This giveaway ends at midnight PST on March 4, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on March 5 and post the winner's name as soon as the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclaimer: . I received a review copy of the book in order to review it, but no monetary compensation. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.

27 Comments, Leave yours here:

Angela on February 19, 2010 at 9:08 AM said...

Eagles because they are such amazing birds.
veniceangel@hotmail.com

Angela on February 19, 2010 at 9:09 AM said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/ChildrensNook/status/9343660973
veniceangel@hotmail.com

moushka on February 19, 2010 at 10:47 AM said...

Last summer hubby and I went on vacation to Mexico. I was fortunate enough to be there to witness a mama Sea Turtle come ashore and lay her eggs. Which the resort reps promptly dug up, allowed us to hold one of the eggs momentarily and then put them in a safe place to hatch later (102 eggs!)

The next night I got to not only watch a batch of hatched babies being released but I got to hold one.

The endangered Sea turtles are now very dear to my heart.

karenmed409 on February 19, 2010 at 5:20 PM said...

The Polar Bears,without them we can't continue to study the arctic marine ecosystem

karenmed409 on February 19, 2010 at 5:20 PM said...

Facebook Fan
Karen Medlin

karenmed409 on February 19, 2010 at 5:21 PM said...

google follower
karenmed409

karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 on February 19, 2010 at 5:21 PM said...

tweet http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/9362312405

Amy B. on February 20, 2010 at 6:39 AM said...

I'm a fan of the bald eagle
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
adennispac@yahoo.com

Amy B. on February 20, 2010 at 6:40 AM said...

I bacame a facebook fan
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
adennispac@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Polar bears. Global warming is decreasing their glacial habitats.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Kristie on February 20, 2010 at 8:41 AM said...

I've always thought Panda Bears were cute-it's sad to know they are an endangered animal.

khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Terra Heck on February 21, 2010 at 3:04 AM said...

Eastern Timber Wolf
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck on February 21, 2010 at 3:05 AM said...

I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck on February 21, 2010 at 3:05 AM said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/partymix25/status/9425375753
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

The panda bears.
BETH
bethnaf at hotmail dot com

Tracysweetangl on February 24, 2010 at 8:42 PM said...

Love the Bald Eagle! Thanks for the chance! Tracy


SWEETANGL5632@AOL.COM

Tracysweetangl on February 24, 2010 at 8:52 PM said...

follow your blog

SWEETANGL5632@AOL.COM

Tracysweetangl on February 24, 2010 at 8:58 PM said...

email subscriber

SWEETANGL5632@AOL.COM

Winning Readings on March 1, 2010 at 1:16 PM said...

I love tigers!

And the Christian aspect of this book actually appeals to me. Would love to share this with my daughter...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

We posted about this book at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/03/miracle-in-sumatra.html

Anonymous said...

Bald Eagles

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Jan on March 1, 2010 at 4:15 PM said...

Panda bears!

I would love to share this book with my grandchildren, they always ask if Grandma has any new books to read when they come over.

Thanks for the chance.

Jan on March 1, 2010 at 4:16 PM said...

I am a new follower

alongtheway at telus dot net

Unknown on March 1, 2010 at 8:23 PM said...

I'm going with elephants.

Unknown on March 1, 2010 at 8:24 PM said...

Facebook fan Milcah

apple blossom on March 2, 2010 at 5:36 AM said...

the Hyacinth Macaw is a beautiful bird. I love them.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Dev parikh on March 3, 2010 at 9:58 PM said...

also entered your baby bunch giveaway

bonggamom on March 10, 2010 at 1:54 PM said...

This giveaway is now closed. THanks to everyone who entered and congratulations to the winner: #1, Angela!

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