Tracey Stewart (2)

Very quick read with lots of good info. I now know how to correctly pet dogs, cats, horses, pigs, chickens, and cows. I know how to read their general body language, as well as the general body language and behaviors of a host of other domesticated and wild animals.

Fact of the book: cows are able to cry real tears, and they hold grudges.

This book is for animal lovers. This book will be a little hard for animal lovers who also eat animals because it does such a simple and good job of showing the complex personalities of other species.… (mais)

I bought this one with some trepidation because when it comes to animals I have the emotional stability of a 5 year old and I avoid anything that touches upon animal cruelty like the plague. But I was drawn in by the promise of learning how to interpret the secret language of my cats and bring more wildlife into my back garden.

Ultimately, I was disappointed with it. It's beautifully illustrated and Stewart has definitely done her research and has a great sense of humour but it's definitely geared towards either a much younger audience or people who've lived in an urban setting their whole lives. The language and narrative style definitely suggested to me a younger target audience; middle grade was what I kept thinking as I was reading.

She didn't share anything about cats (or dogs for that matter) that I didn't already know or I'm not already doing (Easter-cat is a huge fan of all the massage techniques except the under-the-chin rub). Nothing new in the wildlife section either, even if none of it applied to living on the other side of the world. Then there was the farm section. This section contained what I dreaded: graphic commentary and anecdotes about the appalling condition stupid people keep their animals and their complete disregard for humane treatment. I get it, I really do, but I already have crippling moral struggles with my omnivorousness (for health reasons, my doctors insist I keep some meat in my diet) - reading this just makes me feel impotent and even more guilt-ridden.

It's important that people know about this stuff; it's more important that something is done to stop it and Stewart is doing her part; for that she gets my support. I just wish the book offered me a higher level of information that it did. I'd definitely recommend this book for middle-grade kids though, as it is a great introduction.… (mais)

The subtitle is "A Friendly Guide to How Animals Live, and How We Can Make Their Lives Better". This is primarily focused on the rescue dog and cat in the beginning, then expands to include the ways in which humans force birds, reptiles, rabbits and farm animals to bend to our will. Stewart is an animal activist but you won't find any finger-shaking here, just the facts about how animals are often living against their nature for our convenience and what can be done about it. There are also many true tales of animal rescue that have happy endings.… (mais)

I finished 2 books in one day – VERY different types of books. This one I finished after the other, and it was a lovely way to end my reading day.

I highly recommend this book to all vegans, to all families, and especially to people who have companion animals or relate to others’ animals, who live in areas with any kinds of wildlife, including urban dwellers, those who enjoy and appreciate nature, gardeners, and those who love crafts. In other words, I recommend this to many of my real world and online friends. I think this book would make a great gift for most people and most families.

I was thrilled to get an autographed copy (even though unfortunately I wasn’t able to get to any of her local events) even though I usually don’t care about autographs. I do like autographed books though, especially since in recent years I’ve relied mostly on the library and have purchased very few books.

I’ve been “in love” with Jon Stewart for years. Now I’m also “in love” with his wife & kids, the whole family. They’re a wonderful family and I believe other families will appreciate getting to know them and getting ideas from Tracey about activities in which they can participate.

This book is gorgeously illustrated. The pictures perfectly complement and enhance the text portions. They’re integral to the book.

The book is divided into 3 sections: Animals at Home, Backyard Wildlife, and Falling in Love in the Farm. The edges of the pages paper are color-coded: Animals at Home (pale pink), Backyard Wildlife (pale blue), and Falling in Love on the Farm (pale yellow), and also lavender for the Acknowledgements, Resources, and Index.

Teens and adults will be interested in Tracey’s autobiographical parts. I loved the humorous parts and was interested in her experiences and the various changes that she made in her life. All ages, including young children, will be interested in the heftier sections about animals, especially kids old enough to read and to help with the crafts ideas and the ways to help animals suggestions. So many great tips are given about how to properly relate to and help various types of animals, and if I could have a garden I’d be making thorough use of the suggestions provided. If I ever get to meet a horse I now know better how to approach and get to know one, and while I already knew a fair amount about relating with dogs and cats I still found the included information about them helpful.

Tracey is vegan and now Jon is mostly vegetarian. (I hope he goes vegan and is vocal about it.) The reader isn’t really told about the kids and what they consume. I appreciated how the author shares so much about her family, but while still careful about their privacy and not revealing more about them than I think they’d want or is appropriate. She talks mostly about herself and the animals.

This is not exactly a “vegan book” in the strict sense of the word. However, with all the descriptions of animal species and individuals within each species, including animals typically used for food and other things by humans, I hope the “message” gets across to those not yet vegan. The message, such as it is, is relatively subtle, in a way, but that makes this book appropriate for all audiences, and I think that is a huge positive. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable and educational book.

My only two quibbles: 1. It’s farmed animal not farm animal, or should be, and 2. Gene Bauer co-founded Farm Sanctuary; he wasn’t the sole founder, but I know that these two details, particularly the latter, are of little interest to those who have not already very involved for a long time in the vegan movement.… (mais)