Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus

Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus

Author: Jeanne McNaney
List Price: $16.95
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Language: English
Publisher: Ovation Books
Publisher website: www.ovationbooks.net
Book website: www.joeypublishing.com
Category: Children’s picture book
Date of publication: October 16, 2009

My take: Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus is a truly beautiful story with an important moral lesson. On the surface, it’s the story of a young orangutan Gus and his human friend Maya who both find the courage to speak up and save Gus’s parents and other trapped orangutans from hunters. But underneath the story, another lesson resonates – the absolute necessity of the conservation of our natural habitats (like Sumatra) and their inhabitants (like orangutans). Using young characters like Gus and Maya help children relate to the story and feel empowered to actually help – issues such as conservation, saving the planet, etc. can feel so overwhelming to our smallest citizens that it is nice to see a book where they see they can make a difference. And the illustrations are simply gorgeous – so colorful and detailed you feel like you are right there in the jungles of Sumatra with Gus. Simply a wonderful book; I can’t wait to pick up a copy of “The Legend of Honey Hollow” for more of Mrs. McNaney’s environmental message.

About the Author: Jeanne currently resides in Old Greenwich, Conn., with her husband and three young children. Her first children’s book, “The Legend of Honey Hollow” (Ovation Books, January 2009), introduces children to environmentalism and the dangers of global warming. She has served on the board of Pathways, Inc., which provides housing for mentally ill adults. She currently sits on the board of governors for the We Are Family Foundation and is an active volunteer with the Old Greenwich School.

About the Illustrator: French artist David Cochard has been a freelance illustrator since 1996. He received his Masters of Art at the University of Paris VIII and became chief designer of “Le Goinfre,” an award-winning comic fanzine. Currently residing in Argentina with his wife, Sandrine, David runs his own illustration company, Ilustra World.