  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 10/01/2011 Gr 1–3—Caution: This book may cause the warm-fuzzies. Orphaned wild burro Roo and litter-runt puppy Rena become livestock guardians and, eventually, friends on the author's ranch. They are initially paired to protect lamb orphans from predators. Youthful, mutual wariness eventually unfolds into friendship between the two. In the meantime, their work is displayed in words and pictures. Roo is shown in a stare-down with a distrusted ram, keeping him from her flock. Rena sniffs inquisitively and lovingly at her charges. Lambs go about their adorable lamby business. Heartwarming photos and clear, accessible text combine to make this story a winner. Display this book with Jon Katz's Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm (Holt, 2011), another fine, nonfiction photo-fest of working farm animals. The Guardian Team is perfect for classroom—and family—reading time. Lovely.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI - Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 12/01/2011 A companion title to Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs (2005), this warm photo-essay tells a story of the animals on the author’s sheep ranch in Wyoming, where she adopts a young orphaned burro, Roo, who bonds with a pup runt, Rena, and together they protect the newborn lambs on the ranch from coyotes and other predators. The bonding begins when the animals are still young, and beautiful color photos, some of them very close-up, show the small pup, the donkey, and the sheep first in scared standoffs, but also curious, and then bonding, the protectors licking the lambs’ faces, nipping and teasing in friendly play-fights. As they grow up close together, the guardians keep the lambs safe and free. Kids will be drawn by the immediate, cuddly drama that blends work and play, biology, and an affectionate pet story. In a final note, Urbigkit fills in more about the burro’s natural guarding instinct and how sheep, burros, and dogs are working friends on her ranch. - Copyright 2011 Booklist. Loading...
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