Review and Give-Away (Winter's Tail)

Today I am reviewing and hosting a give-away of a wonderful new release from Scholastic Press - Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again.  

Here is the publisher's synopsis: 

When Winter, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was found trapped with her tail badly damaged, she was not expected to survive. This is her miraculous story, from her rescue to learning how to swim again to her unprecedented success using a prosthetic tail. This is also a celebration of her indomitable spirit.

It wasn't until I sat down to type up my review that I realized that Winter's Tail  is written by the authors of Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship (a New York Times bestseller that I have been meaning to read; see recent review on Mama Smiles blog) and How One Little Polar Bear Captivated The World (Knut).  It is no surprise then, that this endearing book is so beautifully written.  I think it would appeal to any fans of animal and ocean life, but would be an especially wonderful book for children with prosthetic devices, hearing aids, or other assistive devices.

Excerpt: "One cold winter morning, just off the east coast of Florida, a baby female dolphin managed to get tangled up in a crab trap.  In the effort to free herself, the dolphin caused the ropes securing the crab trap to the buoy to become wrapped around her tail.  The more she struggled, the tighter the ropes became, quickly strangling her tail.  Luckily, a nearby fisherman caught a glimpse of this unusual situation and came to set the little dolphin free.  It was not clear she would survive.  And even if she did survive, how would a dolphin manage without a tail?  How would she swim?  How would she thrive?  Life without her tail would cause many challenges, but with the help and case of a great number of dedicated people, a dolphin named Winter would beat the odds.  In return, Winter's story would inspire and warm the hearts of people all over the world."

The photographs throughout the book alternate between beautiful shots of Winter swimming and detailed images of her rescue and treatment.  They show the multitude of people who were involved with her care and the wonderful reception she received from an adoring public.

The suggested reading age is 4-8.  I just flipped through the photos with our two-year old Bibliophile and then read it on my own.

Additional Links

• Official Winter's Tail website
  
• Book Trailer
  
• Meet the Authors
  
• Discussion Guide / Lesson Plan
  

Give-Away Details

One reader will receive a  Winter’s Tail prize pack consisting of:

• Dolphin Plush
• Dolphin Key Chain
• Winter’s Tail game for Nintendo DS
• Copy of Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned To Swim Again  Book.

Prize value is $81.99!

How to Enter:

1. Comment on this post for one entry.

2. Follow or subscribe to Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile and leave a comment letting us know.

3. Blog about this give-away and leave a comment letting us know.

4. Tweet with a link to the give-away and leave a comment letting us know.

Maximum number of entries: 4 per person.  The Winter’s Tail book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail).  Please make sure that I have a way to contact you if your email address is not available in your profile.  Deadline: November 9, 2009, midnight, Mountain Time.

Essay Contest

If you have any young readers/writers in your home, or if you are a teacher, take a look at this essay contest that Scholastic is running.  "Scholastic wants to hear about an animal that has most inspired your children by having them tell us about their favorite animal hero in 200 words or less.  One grand prize winner and his/her guardian will receive a trip to visit Winter at her home in Clearwater, Florida, one night's stay at a hotel, $500 travel voucher, a Winter prize pack and a Nintendo DS Game system!  10 runners up with receive a copy of Winter's Tail, a Winter's Tail Nintendo DS game and a Winter plush doll!"  

I was provided with one copy of Winter's Tail in order to write this review.  Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post to Amazon.com will provide us a modest commission through our affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.