Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 2010. Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot. Photos by Nic Bishop. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618494170

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot is an amazing look at the extremely rare kakapo parrots, who only remain on the remote Codfish Island off the southern coast of New Zealand. At the beginning of the book there are only 87 kakapos left in the world. They are unusual birds, the world’s largest parrot, weighing in at nine pounds, with soft green feathers that smell of honey (due to bacteria that lives on their feathers) and facial whiskers. They live underground, are nocturnal, and cannot fly. They growl, boom, or make the “ching” sound of a cash register instead of talk. They are curious about people, a characteristic which has led to their downfall in the past. The author gives a detailed natural history of the bird who once numbered in the millions and the suffering the species has encountered in the last 700 years of its contact with humans, who through hunting and the introduction of non-native species have decimated the birds’ populations. The author explains how difficult it is to find these birds in the wild and the extraordinary efforts fourteen volunteers are making to try to prevent the extinction of this remarkable species. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Naturalist and award-winning author Sy Montgomery’s writing is sympathetic to the plight of the bird as she eloquently and accurately relates their story, one she has waited five years to tell. She has once again teamed up with acclaimed photographer/illustrator Nic Bishop for their sixth book together. Through her easy-to-understand words, readers are able to learn extensive details about the birds’ biology, behavior of animals on Codfish Island, and the technology used to track the kakapo. Her presentation is engaging, never dry or overwhelming. Readers will feel as if they are there with the volunteers and scientists who with strong dedication and passion explain their work on behalf of these amazing birds. Part of the Scientists in the Field Series, Montgomery’s adventures in her ten-day excursion with the scientists and volunteers makes the lives of those scientists in the field real and accessible to readers ages 6 through adult. Her narrative is moving and inspiring, exploring the wonder of a new chick and the sadness of the passing of a patriarch. She thoroughly explains the uniqueness not only of the kakapo but of New Zealand and a number of the unusual inhabitants of the isolated island nation. Montgomery also includes author’s notes, a postscript and bibliography giving information on websites, how to support the kakapo rescue effort, and further suggested reading, along with an index of important terms to aid in research.

Dr. Nic Bishop’s finely detailed, color photographs help readers to see the bird up-close, providing otherwise impossible glimpses into the lives of these extraordinary birds. His stunning photography is matched with maps and diagrams to allow readers to have a feeling for the daily lives and location of the kakapo. There are insets on maps to ensure that readers understand the birds’ location. There are boxes of fascinating facts about the birds and New Zealand to intrigue readers. R. Wingrave’s drawings give young readers an introduction to scientific illustration. Altogether the book is visually rewarding, showing science in action, providing a glimpse into the life of the birds and those who are trying to save them.

This wonderful book introduces an amazing animal that most readers will have never heard of before, but will never forget. The captivating story of the race to save the kakapo will inspire readers, young and old, to consider their role in the world and in the lives of the animals with whom they share the planet. It is a highly recommended read.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2011 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

2011-2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Master List 

Starred review from Booklist Review: “As usual, Montgomery's delight in her subject is contagious, and throughout her enthusiastic text, she nimbly blends scientific and historical facts with immediate, sensory descriptions of fieldwork. Young readers will be fascinated by the incredible measures that the passionate workers follow to help the new birds hatch, and many will share the team's heartbreak when some chicks die. Bishop's photos of the creatures and their habitat are stunning; an awe-inspiring, closing image of the world's eighty-seventh known Kakapo emerging from its shell captures the miracle of birth, for any species. Like many of the team's previous titles, this offers excellent support for units about animal conservation. Grades 4-7.” 

Starred review from School Library Journal: “Grade 5–8—Take a parrot. Color it green. Give it soft, fluffy feathers, and whiskers. Give it sumo proportions and take away its power of flight. Make it nocturnal, and have it nest underground. Aha! A kakapo! Once millions of these rather affable birds waddled all over New Zealand...Excellent photos and a readable, conversational text provide an intimate look at a concerted effort to save a drastically endangered species unfamiliar to most of the world outside Down Under.” 

Starred review from Kirkus Reviews: “Under the careful supervision of forest rangers and volunteers on an island off the New Zealand coast, the nearly extinct, flightless Kakapo parrot is the object of an intensive rescue effort described by this experienced writer-photographer team...As always, the photographer's remarkable and clearly reproduced photographs support and enhance the text. The book's careful design is unobtrusive: The progress of an opening egg sets off page numbers, and fern patterns provide a subtle decoration. Bibliography and a website encourage readers' further explorations. Wonderful.”

Starred review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "More than most books about environmentalism or endangered species, this will encourage kids to consider how hands-on action can genuinely make a difference and how scientific contributions can be made by people who never go near a test tube."
 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Watch the story of the Kakapo rescue at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5ViXUeofA

*Have children explore websites about the Kakapo such as:

Kakapo Recovery:  http://www.kakaporecovery.org.nz/  and their kids’ site at: http://www.kakaporecovery.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=15&Itemid=244 where they can listen to the Kakapo’s voice

The Fabulous Kakapo, for more facts about the kakapo: http://www.kakapo.net/en/

*Investigate if there are any endangered animals locally using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website:  http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ and discuss what could be done to help them.

*Other Scientists in the Filed Series books by this author/photographer team:

Montgomery, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea. ISBN 0618496416

Montgomery, Sy. Saving the Ghost of the Mountain. ISBN 0618916458

Montgomery, Sy. The Snake Scientist. ISBN 0756907403

Montgomery, Sy. The Tarantula Scientist. ISBN 0618147993

*Other Scientists in the Field Series books. There are a total of thirty-six books in the series:

Burns, Loree Griffin. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion.  ISBN 0547328605

Carson, Mary Kay. The Bat Scientists. ISBN 0547199562

Jackson, Donna M. The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature. ISBN 0395869765

Lourie, Peter. The Manatee Scientists: Saving Vulnerable Species. ISBN 054715254X

Turner, Pamela S. Project Seahorse. ISBN 0547207131

*Other conservation and endangered animal books:

Dobson, David. Can We Save Them? Endangered Species of North America. ISBN 0881068233

Garbutt, Nick. 100 Animals to See Before They Die. ISBN 1841622362

Hoare, Ben. Eyewitness: Endangered Animals (DK Eyewitness Books).  ISBN 0756668832

Jenkins, Steve. Almost Gone. ISBN 9780060535988

Kalman, Bobbie. Endangered Tigers (Earth Endangered Animals Series).  ISBN 0778718506

Wright, Alexandra. Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species. ISBN 0881064890