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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
** I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Sasquatch Books in exchange for an honest review **
The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca is a compelling nonfiction about the remarkable rescue of an orphaned orca calf, Springer (A73), whose story captured the hearts of whale lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Springer, officially called A-73, is a healthy adult orca today. But she was orphaned and alone when she was found in Puget Sound near Seattle in 2002. The lonely two-year-old befriended a ferry and appeared sickly. Puget Sound is a busy shipping area and whale experts figured she would die if left there. Canada and the U.S. teamed up to rescue her and return her to B.C. to be reunited with her family.
“Fifteen and half years ago Springer was orphaned, 300 miles from home, starving, sick and completely alone,” said Lance Barrett-Lennard, director of the Cetacean Research Program at Ocean Wise. “Her rescue, relocation, reunification with relatives and transition to motherhood is an incredible story. I see it as testimony to both the resiliency of killer whales as a species and to the wonderful things we humans can do when we work together on behalf of — rather than against — nature.”
The Spirit of Springer was a beautiful and heart-warming read, which really shows off the incredible resilience and intelligence of Orca’s. I can’t thank the amazing people enough who were involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of Springer. The illustrations in this book were absolutely stunning and made this an even more enjoyable read, it’s incredible to read online that Spirit is still doing well today and has even started her own family.
The Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca is a compelling nonfiction about the remarkable rescue of an orphaned orca calf, Springer (A73), whose story captured the hearts of whale lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Springer, officially called A-73, is a healthy adult orca today. But she was orphaned and alone when she was found in Puget Sound near Seattle in 2002. The lonely two-year-old befriended a ferry and appeared sickly. Puget Sound is a busy shipping area and whale experts figured she would die if left there. Canada and the U.S. teamed up to rescue her and return her to B.C. to be reunited with her family.
“Fifteen and half years ago Springer was orphaned, 300 miles from home, starving, sick and completely alone,” said Lance Barrett-Lennard, director of the Cetacean Research Program at Ocean Wise. “Her rescue, relocation, reunification with relatives and transition to motherhood is an incredible story. I see it as testimony to both the resiliency of killer whales as a species and to the wonderful things we humans can do when we work together on behalf of — rather than against — nature.”
The Spirit of Springer was a beautiful and heart-warming read, which really shows off the incredible resilience and intelligence of Orca’s. I can’t thank the amazing people enough who were involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of Springer. The illustrations in this book were absolutely stunning and made this an even more enjoyable read, it’s incredible to read online that Spirit is still doing well today and has even started her own family.
[a:Donna Sandstrom|21192373|Donna Sandstrom|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png][b:Orca Rescue!: The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer|59737602|Orca Rescue! The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer|Donna Sandstrom|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638395011l/59737602._SX50_.jpg|89346619]
While this book had beautiful images and did discuss true events (and my son generally enjoyed it) there seemed to be a bit of a bias in how it was written as far as the humans involved are concerned. It sort of glossed over some of the realities of how things were handled. I recommend Donna Sandstrom's book on this event instead of or in addition to it, as it's more historically accurate. Donna was then and is now involved with Orcas/Killer Whales in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea and is able to provide first hand knowledge of Springer's story.
If you've seen any of the "Whale Trail" signs in Washington beaches or ferries - That's Donna!
While this book had beautiful images and did discuss true events (and my son generally enjoyed it) there seemed to be a bit of a bias in how it was written as far as the humans involved are concerned. It sort of glossed over some of the realities of how things were handled. I recommend Donna Sandstrom's book on this event instead of or in addition to it, as it's more historically accurate. Donna was then and is now involved with Orcas/Killer Whales in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea and is able to provide first hand knowledge of Springer's story.
If you've seen any of the "Whale Trail" signs in Washington beaches or ferries - That's Donna!
[a:Donna Sandstrom|21192373|Donna Sandstrom|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png][b:Orca Rescue!: The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer|59737602|Orca Rescue! The True Story of an Orphaned Orca Named Springer|Donna Sandstrom|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1638395011l/59737602._SX50_.jpg|89346619]
While this book had beautiful images and did discuss true events (and my son generally enjoyed it) there seemed to be a bit of a bias in how it was written as far as the humans involved are concerned. It sort of glossed over some of the realities of how things were handled. I recommend Donna Sandstrom's book on this event instead of or in addition to it, as it's more historically accurate. Donna was then and is now involved with Orcas/Killer Whales in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea and is able to provide first hand knowledge of Springer's story.
If you've seen any of the "Whale Trail" signs in Washington beaches or ferries - That's Donna!
While this book had beautiful images and did discuss true events (and my son generally enjoyed it) there seemed to be a bit of a bias in how it was written as far as the humans involved are concerned. It sort of glossed over some of the realities of how things were handled. I recommend Donna Sandstrom's book on this event instead of or in addition to it, as it's more historically accurate. Donna was then and is now involved with Orcas/Killer Whales in the Puget Sound/Salish Sea and is able to provide first hand knowledge of Springer's story.
If you've seen any of the "Whale Trail" signs in Washington beaches or ferries - That's Donna!
I didn't know the story of Springer even though I was living in Seattle at the time of this event. An uplifting, feel good story and beautifully illustrated! A delightful read.
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
A great non-fiction read about an orphaned orca, Springer, and the journey scientists and doctors made to reunite her with her pod. My kids loved it. We learned about orca pods, their migration habits, and how different pods speak different dialects. The book is more wordy than your typical picture book, but I thought it was a great way to portray the story of Springer.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Glad this one was selected for the 2023 IL Bluestem Award list because it brought it to my attention. I know readers will love getting to know Springer!
The true story of rescuing and releasing an orca whale.
I love reading books about topics that I've never heard of and I've definitely never heard of Springer the orca whale. There was so much great imagery and information in this book, which makes it super accessible for kids. It was beautiful to hear a story about people helping animals and making it their mission to help give Springer the life she deserved. I appreciated all the information at the end about how she's doing now, maps of the locations talked about and how you can help orcas. For example, by not going to theme parks featuring orcas.
I love reading books about topics that I've never heard of and I've definitely never heard of Springer the orca whale. There was so much great imagery and information in this book, which makes it super accessible for kids. It was beautiful to hear a story about people helping animals and making it their mission to help give Springer the life she deserved. I appreciated all the information at the end about how she's doing now, maps of the locations talked about and how you can help orcas. For example, by not going to theme parks featuring orcas.
A beautifully illustrated and written story about the rescue of an orca in Seattle and Vancouver island. Learned a lot and will be looking forward to learning more about Springer.
My 12 year old son was not super excited about it, but he and my husband both enjoyed this story. I think everyone would love it.
My 12 year old son was not super excited about it, but he and my husband both enjoyed this story. I think everyone would love it.