Book Title: Wild Lives: 50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History (available here)
Author: Ben Lerwill
Illustrator: Sarah Walsh
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Publication Date: September 2019
Most Suitable For: KS2
Reviewed By: Kirsty A, KS2 Teacher & English Lead
Wild Lives is a collection of 50 stories about animals that made history in extraordinary ways. The stories have been separated into 5 distinct areas (Rescue & Protect, Adventure & Explore, Change & Solve, Discover & Pioneer and Inspire & Influence) to allow the reader to dip in and out at their pleasure. The layout of each story is simple yet informative with key factual information being supported by beautiful illustrations, photographs, quotes, maps and some background to the specific context of each story.
This book enables the reader to see how loyal and caring animals can be to humans and how they are prepared to put themselves in difficult challenging situations to save others, demonstrating true bravery, courage and compassion. These stories could be enjoyed as a non-fiction read for pleasure as well as a reference book for a class or school library. There are extras to enjoy including a world map showing which country each animal was born in and a blurb written by Sir David Attenborough.
Children (most likely KS2) will love to pick it up, find their favourite animal or historical era and learn about it in a clear and concise way. The book describes itself as ‘extraordinary true tales of wild and wonderful lives’ and it certainly doesn’t disappoint!
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You can order Wild Lives online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Kirsty for reviewing it.
Where next?
> Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub
> Browse our Topic Booklists
> View our printable year group booklists.
> See our Books of the Month.
