Randy Houk

I liked reading this book, since I hadn't read it in a very long time. This is a true story based on a manatee named Chessie that traveled into the Chesapeake Bay in 1994. I liked that it was based on something that actually happened and I found that the use of poetry made all the information easier to digest and more interesting to read. The illustrations in the book make the story much easier to follow. The big idea of the book, since it was written to raise awareness by the Human Society, is to be aware of how humans impact animals and how to help them survive: "If one day, you see him floating / Right beside you, when you're boating, / Please remember to take care: / Manatees are growing rare." This idea is demonstrated by showing the negative affect motorboats can have on manatees and the positive impact humans can have when they help animals move to the place where they can survive.… (mais)