Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin - (Children's Animal Book) by Darcy Pattison (Hardcover)

About the Book

When the New Zealand government officially protected a dolphin 1904, it was the first time a government protected an individual animal.

Book Synopsis

"A sweet and vivid historical tale." Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing, historical tale of early twentieth-century wildlife conservation." Booklist Online

This children's animal book explains the first conservation law passed in the world. In the late 1800s, a worldwide conservation movement started to gain momentum. One question people asked was this: How can we save the wild animals?

A mysterious fish, in a remote waterway, swam into history and helped answer this question. Meet Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand dolphin who won the hearts of travelers and inspired a nation to protect him with legislation in 1904.

Pelorus Jack lived near French Pass, a notorious waterway in the South Island of New Zealand. With gorgeous, lifelike illustrations, this story transports readers to New Zealand's rugged shores where Pelorus Jack befriends sailors and locals in his role as guardian of the steam ships.

As his fame grew, though, so did the danger from collectors, hunters, and adventurers. How could people protect this amazing dolphin?

Bird. Mammal. Marine Mammal. Spider. Amphibian. Reptile. Mollusk.

This series includes the story of the oldest bird in the world, a spider in space, an orphaned puma cub, a bullfrog with a world-record leap, the poignant story of saving a species from extinction, the dolphin who inspired a government to protect him, and a humble snail who teaches us to observe.

The series is much more than just an introduction to the animal kingdom. It chronicles the story of how humans interact with animals in various ways: how we enjoy, challenge, admire, endanger, and save them. It's a fabulous series for kids to learn about the amazing and extraordinary complexity of animals.

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  • Rosie the Ribeter: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
  • Diego, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise: Saving a Species from Extinction, Starred Kirkus Review
  • Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin: Inspiring a Government to Protect an Individual Animal
  • Jeremy, the English Garden Snail: Heredity, Science, and #snaillove,

Review Quotes

"A sweet and vivid historical tale." Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing, historical tale of early twentieth-century wildlife conservation." Booklist Online