Douwlina: A Rhino's Story

Gr 2–5—After her mother was killed by poachers, Douwlina was adopted and cared for by humans. Interesting details capture the logistics of an animal growing up without a mother; when Douwlina moved to a farm, the son had to teach the baby white rhino how to take mud baths. Concise sentences and bullet points add information about the species, though source notes are absent. The author conveys her observations of Douwlina: "she did not dent my car that day, but in her eagerness to visit with people, she has left a number of scratches and dents on other vehicles." Mixed-media scenes rely on patterned borders, textured designs, cut-out images, and photographs. The frequent use of a color font creates a jarring effect against each bright page. The placement of full-page photographs of African wildlife appears disjointed in its presentation rather than painting a richer picture of the rhino's natural world. The author's religious beliefs most significantly influence the text during her earnest call to action. "At the time of her birth, only God knew if she would live and one day thrive. The goodness of God worked through the love and kindness of people caring for His little rhino." Limitations aside, there is much heart in this story of survival.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC