Horn Book (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Animal rights advocate Laidlaw exposes backstage conditions of animals in entertainment, from live animal shows to circus acts and movies. The admittedly agenda-driven text's examples of neglect and abuse combine with photographs and sidebars to underscore the message that animal lovers have an obligation--and the ability--to create change; suggestions for action, FAQs, and an "Organizations to Contact" list provide tools. Glos., ind.

School Library Journal (Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2011)

Gr 4-6 Laidlaw's goal in this heart-wrenching title is to inspire his audience to try to make the world a better place for animals. His description of the hard life of Jumbo, an unfortunate elephant, is cringe-worthy. Captured in Africa as a baby after his mother was killed, Jumbo was forced into performing for audiences in Europe and North America, before being killed in a train accident in Canada. Photographs of chained, caged, and tethered animals are disheartening. A leashed bear is shown performing on a bicycle. Dogfights, bullfighting, horse racing, etc., are detailed, and reprehensible breeding practices are mentioned. It would be a rare individual who would not come away from this book horrified by the suffering of these creatures. The title ends with suggested ways to help entertainment animals and a list of helpful organizations to contact. The cover, showing a circus elephant performing a stunt, seems adorable at first. After reading the book, it seems cruel. This is a difficult, important topic, and Laidlaw does a worthy job of bringing the suffering of these animals to light. Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

ALA Booklist (Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2011)

Laidlaw, a wildlife-protection biologist, recounts the numerous ways animals have been abused in the entertainment industry. After explaining what all animals need (adequate space, freedom of choice, access to family, and things to do), he catalogs specific instances of abuse that have occurred at circuses, on movie and television sets, at exhibitions, in zoos, and at rodeos and other sporting events. Two final chapters offer hope for change ggestions for alternatives (using computer-generated animals in television and films and providing sanctuaries for animals unable to return to the wild) and a list of ways to help animals used for entertainment. Laidlaw, who also wrote Wild Animals in Captivity (2008), is passionate about changing the views of his readers, even if the specifics he cites are disturbing. However, his clearly argued text; crisp, captioned color photos; and appended list of organizations make this an important source for animal advocates. Give this to activist fans of Peg Kehret's Saving Lilly (2001) or Kenneth Oppel's Half Brother (2010).