About This Book

A little jaguarundi (wildcat) attempts to save the other endangered animals of the rain forest in this story based in South America. Jaguarundi calls a meeting with the other animals, and tries his best to convince them to leave the rain forest for the river to find a new place to live — a place where they can be free. But the animals don't want to leave, and each tells him the reasons why they won't. One animal, a coati (a member of the raccoon family), however, decides to leave with jaguarundi, and together they begin their long and tiring journey. But as they approach their new home at long last, they realize their journey has been a futile one: their new "home" has been taken over by humans. They soon find a new place to settle, and their life soon blooms. Cooper's accompanying illustrations are luxuriously quiet and rich, building on Hamilton's engaging text and creating a marvelous combination of struggle, splendor, and finally, survival. The end of the book features facts about and paintings of each endangered animal mentioned in the book. This is an engaging book that will help readers begin to understand the importance of the rain forest and the many wonderful creatures that call it home.