Gr 4-7Divided into two sections, this book provides examples of animals being helped through the use of prostheses and adaptive devices. The first section, "The Comeback Animals," shares stories of a number of individual creatures, ranging from large (Chouk the elephant) to small (Estella the guinea pig). Descriptions of their physical challenges are juxtaposed with the ways in which they have been fitted with artificial limbs or orthopedic devices to improve their quality of life. The second section, "The Wizards of Prosthetics," focuses on a few of the people who design the technologies that assist these animals. Insight into the devices' conception give mention of STEM-related processes, which may motivate readers to do further research and try some creative problem-solving of their own. The short narratives are heartwarming, expanding on the animals' personalities and sharing a few details about the ways in which their caretakers have made their lives more enjoyable. VERDICT This book is sure to appeal to animal lovers and future veterinarians. A must-have for nonfiction shelves.Sarah Reid, Four County Library System, NY

Utilizing technology that mostly originated with treatments for humans, some animals are now being fitted with custom-designed prostheses. This effort portrays in clear, simple language and numerous accompanying, attractive color photographs the experiences of a wide variety of animals that have benefitted from prostheses. Felix, a lamb who lost a rear leg to a predator; Fawn, a calf injured at birth; and Allison, a sea turtle missing three of her flippers, are among the animals described. Brutus, a Rottweiler who lost all four feet to frostbite, can now chase squirrels. Some homegrown solutions include such cleverly crafted devices as a Rollerblade wheelchair for a goose, a skateboard for an African tortoise, and a brace with wheels that's restored mobility to a paralyzed rabbit. Following the brief chapters that focus on specific animals are some that describe the work of three makers of prostheses and orthotics, two of whom wear prosthetic limbs themselves. The text makes it clear that the challenges presented by disabled animals are unique, and each one requires creativity and imagination to surmount myriad obstacles. A refreshing minimum of sidebars makes for easy reading. Each chapter is printed on a different color background; one that employs white text on orange is less easy to read than others. Fun just to browse but entertaining and enlightening to read. (Nonfiction. 8-14)

There's no way a book this adorable will stay on the shelves, which is fitting considering it's about animals on the move sabled animals to be exact. Eleven captivating stories profile animals that have suffered an injury or mobility challenge that they've overcome with an indomitable spirit, a team of caring humans, and a prosthetic or orthotic device. Furstinger goes right for the heart with her accounts of animals like Brutus, a dog whose frostbitten paws were replaced with four new prosthetic feet; Estella, a guinea pig fitted with a tiny wheelchair; and Mr. Stubbs, an alligator with a high-tech faux tail. Color photos of creatively cavorting creatures fill the book's pages, emphasizing that the benefits of helping these animals extend beyond simple locomotion to their overall happiness and well-being. This book also carries numerous STEM connections, from the prosthetics' designs, the shared advances between veterinary and human medicine, and a page devoted to low-tech solutions, such as PVC-pipe walkers and a skateboard-scooting tortoise. Inspiring and heartwarming.