At 12 years old, Bindi Sue Irwin, daughter of wildlife conservationists Terri and Steve (the late "Crocodile Hunter") Irwin, is already a celebrity and advocate for animals.
Born in 1998, she was named after Steve's favorite female crocodile at Australia Zoo, the family's wildlife park in Queensland, and their dog (Sui). Surrounded by animals from an early age, she was only three years old when she made her debut on her father's television show. She has since appeared in her own wildlife series, Bindi: The Jungle
Girl,
which aired on Discovery Kids (2007-2009) and earned her an Emmy in 2008. Last year she made her feature film debut, starring alongside Beau Bridges inFree Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove, which was released direct to video in March
2010.
Since Steve Irwin's death in 2006, Bindi has toured the world and made public appearances to discuss her work and her commitment to continuing her father's conservation efforts. She was recently featured along with her mother and younger brother, Robert, on Part Three of Oprah's
Ultimate Australian Adventure, a show that highlighted Steve's legacy and the 1,500 acre Australia Zoo that the family still runs.
Now, Bindi Irwin can add star of her own book series to her list of accomplishments. Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, "Bindi Wildlife Adventures," a series of early chapter books (Gr 2-5) inspired and co-created by the charismatic young conservationist, launches this month. The fictional stories feature Bindi as the main character along with her mother and brother. Some of the tales
are set at the family's Australia Zoo while others take readers to diverse destinations around the globe. The lively books combine adventure and wildlife conservation themes, and the
effervescent Bindi is a likable protagonist and inspiring role model.
The first book, Trouble at the Zoo, takes place on the day of Bindi's 11th birthday party, an underwater-themed extravaganza (and fundraiser to stop illegal whaling) complete with colorful costumes, contests, and a whale-sized cake. However, the festivities—and the fate of an Australian Zoo resident animal—are put in jeopardy when a selfish 10-year-old boy decides to take home one of the facility's water dragons. With quick thinking (and the help of a green-winged macaw), Bindi finds a way to help Zac realize his mistake before it's too late.
In Rescue!, Bindi and her friend Hannah are on a horse trek in South Africa when they discover that a nature preserve for the endangered giant sable antelope is being used for illegal hunting at night. After the girls are caught spying, they must figure out exactly who the bad guys are and then prove their case to the authorities.
Back at home, the third adventure has Bindi and her best friend Rosie witnessing the devastating effects of a raging Bushfire! on local fauna. The girls rush to help out at the Australian Wildlife Hospital, and even accompany Rosie's veterinarian dad on a rescue vehicle, working hard to help the injured animals, including a mother koala and her baby joey. Another installment, Camouflage, which centers on a missing Komodo
dragon in Singapore, will publish in June, with two more titles scheduled for a fall release.
Reflecting the real Bindi's sunny demeanor and unwavering commitment to her cause, the books are breezy and upbeat. Suspense and tension build to satisfying conclusions as the characters take on each tale's dilemma and convey effective but not-too-preachy points about environmental issues. Written in clear and descriptive language, occasionally sprinkled with a few more challenging words, the accessible narratives express enthusiasm for the subject matter and an inviting sense of wonder about the natural world. Details about the featured creatures are smoothly integrated into the texts, and "Animal Fact Files" are appended. Each title features a cover photo of Bindi posed with one of the highlighted critters and graphic motifs that echo the setting or plot elements. The neon-bright colors of the book design—and, of course, Bindi's dazzling smile and familiar persona—will draw in readers.
Suggest these titles to youngsters who are interested in animal tales or eco-adventures. Kids can visit the Australia Zoo website to find out more about the facility, the species that live there, conservation issues, and Bindi's fascinating world.
Publication Information
KUNZ, Chris. Trouble at the Zoo. ISBN 978-1-4022-5514-4.
IRWIN, Bindi. Rescue! with Jess Black. ISBN 978-1-4022-5517-5.
BLACK, Jess. Bushfire! ISBN 978-1-4022-5520-5.
Ea vol: Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. 2011. pap. $4.99.
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