Owen and Mzee Were Best Friends
Written: Sep 10 '07 (Updated Sep 12 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Tale of friendship, the rescue, photographs
Cons: Web resources are somewhat spotty in quality, but the book is quite good.
The Bottom Line: It's easy to see why this children's book about an unusual friendship between a hippo and a tortoise was a top seller.
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| pestyside's Full Review: Owen & Mzee Books |
Rather than opening with “Once Upon a Time” this story opens with “This is the true story of two great friends: a baby hippopotamus names Owen and a 130-year old giant tortoise named Mzee.” This book tells how a baby hippopotamus found comfort in 2004 with a giant tortoise. While true, it seems as unlikely as a fairy tale.
Mzee was a rather large (giant) tortoise quite content with living his life free of relationships. Tortoises are not necessarily social animals and I suspect he was somewhat unnerved when one day a baby hippo decided to bond with him.
Owen became an orphan following a devastating tsunami, which actually came after heavy December rains that flooded the river where Owen and his family lived in Kenya. Heavy flooding following torrential rains washed Owen and his family down the river misplacing them. Owen became separated from the family pod, he became stranded on a coral reef, and naturally became frightened. He wanted his mom. Finally his namesake, a brave visitor with a truck, Owen Sobien, and many other concerned people, found a way to rescue him. Owen couldn’t be returned to the wild and other pods wouldn’t accept him so they found a sanctuary willing to take on the responsibility of this baby hippo.
Still scared and lonely, needing his mommy, once at the Haller Park Sanctuary Owen decided to cling to a grumpy old tortoise, Mzee. Slowly the tortoise began to accept his new companion and this book provides charming pictures and stories that depict Owen hiding behind, and cuddled next to, Mzee. Over the next few years it became clear that Owen’s survival was due to that unique relationship. At first when Mzee walked away Owen would follow, but later when Owen walked away Mzee would follow.
This picturebook is illustrated with photographs that document the true story of this friendship. Easy-to-read text tells the story of Owen and Mzee. One story highlights unexpected behavior and interactions between this very unlikely pair. Tortoises don’t form families, especially with mammals. However, this tortoise did have a good relationship with the sanctuary’s chief animal caretaker, Stephen, so that might explain the behavior.
“Soon, they were inseparable. Their bond remains very strong to this day. They swim together, eat together, drink together, and sleep next to each other. They rub noses. Owen leads the way to different parts of the enclosure, then Mzee leads the way. Owen playfully nuzzles Mzee’s neck, and Mzee stretches his neck forward asking for more, just as he does when Stephen tickles him under the chin.”
There is so much for us to learn in nature and stories such as this illustrate the infinite possibilities of how much we don’t know. While reading this young readers will quickly understand that friendships can form through unexpected relationships. They can naturally occur with classmates and neighbors who share similar interests, but if we are receptive friendships can form when we least expect it. There is a strength that comes from friendships that makes it possible to overcome many hardships. In this case Owen was capable of overcoming the loss of his mother when good fortune placed him next to a giant tortoise.
This heartwarming story about an unusual friendship created a charming picturebook with appeal for elementary school readers. Younger readers will enjoy the pictures but the text might be too advanced for early childhood. Older readers will want to visit the Haller Park website, www.lafargeecosystems.com and explore additional photos. Educational content found at this site also includes simple fact sheets on other animals found at the sanctuary. Older readers will also enjoy www.owenandmzee.com where they can learn more as well as join the fan club. The book concludes with more facts about Kenya, the small town of Malindi, Aldabra Tortoises (Mzee) and Hippopotami. It offers a link to a somewhat unimpressive discussion guide.
This story of hope began in December 2004 and Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship was released in March 2006. This gained international recognition in 2004 and 2005. Young Isabella Hatkoff (six at the time) saw a photograph of this unlikely couple and asked her father to write a book about the relationship. The resulting story was told by Isabella and her father, Craig Hatkoff, with assistance from Dr. Paula Kahumbu (ecologist and conservationist) and photojournalist Peter Greste. Peter Greste took some of the original photographs that gained the international recognition. The story continues in a second book, Owen and Mzee, The Language of Friendship, which was released in January 2007.
The Future For Owen?
Today Owen no longer lives with Mzee but only because his new friend Cleo doesn’t share the same bond and presented safety risks for the slow moving giant tortoise. Cleo originally joined Owen and Mzee because she appeared lonely. She quickly developed a friendship with Own, but this part of the tale is not told in this particular book. Today Owen lives with his friend Cleo at the sanctuary, but that would never have happened were it not for Mzee’s acceptance and friendship. I found this an uplifting and engaging tale, one that will offer hope and hold special appeal for children struggling to create their own friendships.
Some interesting thoughts that occurred to me while reading this book:
• Adult hippos can weigh up to 8,000 pounds. It had to take a lot of water and energy to wash this family down stream.
• Baby hippos are dependent upon their mothers for four years
• Hippos can live up to 40 years in the wild and 60 years in captivity.
This book is my third contribution to the Fight Illiteracy W/O. Join Cindy's and Dramastef's Fight Illiteracy W/O! I challenge others in this W/O to see who can submit the most reviews and contribute the most books! What a great idea.
Recommended:
Yes
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