Chinese Tigers

Jan Latta, author and wildlife photographer of True to Life Books, has published 4 Big Cat books in traditional Chinese.  They can be purchased with or without the English version to help children with second language reading. Jan follows animals in the wild to tell their stories. She travelled to Sri Lanka to photograph the elusive leopards, Africa for the cheetahs and lions, and India for the endangered tigers.

Free educational videos showing animals in their natural habitats in the wild are available.

  

Contact Jan Latta for discounts  janlatta@truetolifebooks.com.au

Ziggy the Zebra

Ziggy the Zebra by Jan Latta (True to Life Books)
PB   RRP $14.95
ISBN 9780980872763
Review by Dianne Bates

Australian Jan Latta is an author, wildlife photographer and publisher of 14 True to Life books which educate children about endangered animals. To create the books she follows animals in the wild to tell their story in photographs and in words. In her latest book, Jan introduces Ziggy, a Burchell zebra from the plains of Africa.

With simple, large text font and clear, glossy photographs, the book tells (from Ziggy’s viewpoint), the story of the appearance of zebras on Earth three million years ago. We learn about Ziggy’s family, his appearance as a foal and zebras’ daily routines and habits. In the annual migration we learn, for instance, that mares lead the family group with other zebras following in single file.

In the back of this 32 page book are helpful zebra facts. Of particular note are facts about zebra numbers, with fewer than 2,500 Grevy Zebras in the wild. There are also fascinating trivia facts, such as the zebra being a symbol of beauty in Africa. As well, in the back of this book, are animal art and craft activities for children, with a last page of interesting websites.

In the past I have bought some of Jan’s animal books for children aged 5 to 8 years. They are good value and highly recommended.

Jan is available for school presentations and workshops; see www.truetolifebooks.com.au for information and educational videos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adventures with Ollie the Orangutan

Adventures with Ollie the Orangutan by Jan Latta (True To Life Books)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-0-9808727-0-5

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

                              

There is something extremely exciting about discovering things that are real and interesting. Jan Latta is author, photographer and publisher in this incredible true-to-life series of twelve books which has been created to ‘educate children about endangered species’. She went into the Borneo rainforest to photograph and document the lives of the orang-utans in the wild for this publication.

Ollie the orang-utan is the narrator. He is depicted in his natural habitat and through the amazing photography that shares the page with the text we are invited into his family life. He informs us about his heritage, where he lives, what his name means in the Malay language, and why they are frequently known as the ‘red ape’. He is pictured still and in motion; with his mother as she teaches him to climb and where to find food, and in tender and moving poses that show how similar the apes are to humans. The text is light and entertaining with significant words highlighted in various colours.

Ollie tells us about the orang-utan’s eating habits, height and weight of the male and female, the special names for various parts of their body, how they swing from tree to tree, and where and how they sleep.

The book ends with a double page listing of Orang-utan Facts which include lifespan, numbers remaining, diet, and a list of incredible Did You Know? statistics. Interesting websites are listed along with recommended reading and information on organizations that help the orang-utans. Well priced, these 24 page books are easily accessed and worthwhile. The series is suitable for ages 5+ in the company of an adult to answer questions, for older children as research projects, or simply for pleasure and awareness.

Adventures with Mia the Meerkat

Adventures with Mia the Meerkat by Jan Latta (True To Life Books)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-0-9756770-7-0

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Jan Latta went to Namibia in 2009 to photograph meerkats in the wild. Unfortunately time was against her and she was forced to produce this book through visits to the Mogo and Taronga zoos. It is the ONLY book in the series which was created from a zoo environment.

Mia the meerkat is the narrator. She introduces us to her family group which is called a gang, and guides us through their daily life and habits. She shows and tells us how and where they live and forage for food, and how and what they eat. (Mia’s favourite food is scorpion, with sting removed of course!)

We learn about their homes; tunnels called burrows that they dig with their front curved claws, and why there are 70 entrances. Then there are the personal details of their grooming habits, the twenty sounds used to communicate with family, and the benefits of their extremely acute senses.

This is an amazing fact book which incorporates a great deal of information. A list of Meerkat Facts at the end includes their scientific names, habitat details, body length, height and weight, birthing, diet and lifestyle, with interesting websites for additional research.

The pages are set out with wonderful life-like photos, lovingly taken, that bring to life the accompanying text. These are a terrific series to teach children