Books with author Janet Huntington

The little kaka that lost its way; the kereru with the broken wing; the tuatara that went floppy; the whio that couldn’t fly, the kea with the broken foot . . . All these stories and more from Wildbase, the remarkable New Zealand native animal veterinary hospital, told by expert natural history writer Janet Hunt. This is the perfect book for everyone who cares about our wild creatures and wants to know more about how they are helped when they are ill or injured. Children, parents and teachers will be entranced and inspired by the stories of how skilled vets can cure our endangered species.

The little kaka that lost its way; the kereru with the broken wing; the tuatara that went floppy; the whio that couldn’t fly, the kea with the broken foot . . . All these stories and more from Wildbase, the remarkable New Zealand native animal veterinary hospital, told by expert natural history writer Janet Hunt. This is the perfect book for everyone who cares about our wild creatures and wants to know more about how they are helped when they are ill or injured. Children, parents and teachers will be entranced and inspired by the stories of how skilled vets can cure our endangered species.

Written in a fresh, lively and informative style, A BIRD IN THE HAND looks at a number of New Zealand's unique creatures, the places where they are safe and some of the people who are working to keep them that way. It includes many endangered species and others that are ancient and/or interesting. Starting with the moa, as important historical background, the book features kakapo, kiwi, hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), kaka and kea, black stilt, Hamilton's frog, NZ falcon, short-tailed bat, giant snail, peripatus, tuatara, black robin and albatross. Each creature is introduced in a light and child-friendly way with an anecdote often featuring a DoC worker who, from vast experience, knows the creature well. There are fact boxes for those who want to know more and fascinating side stories. Nearly all of the creatures owe their continued existence to island sanctuaries of some sort (offshore or mainland). A BIRD IN THE HAND underlines their continui ng fragility, the danger that introduced animals present and the part that all of us continue to play in ensuring the safety and continuance of endemic species. ** Winner of the Non-Fiction award AND the Book of the Year in the NZ Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults 2004 Winner of the Elsie Locke Medal for Non-fiction in the LIANZA book awards 2004**

Three more endearing stories of helping New Zealand wildlife from the case files of Wildbase Hospital. Wildbase Hospital in Palmerston North is a very special hospital for very special animals, and in this follow-up to the hugely successful How to Mend a Kea, author Janet Hunt focuses on the tales of three kiwi who have been treated there. The stories are fascinating and touching accounts of their different experiences at Wildbase, and the innovative approaches to their treatment and rehabilitation that were needed to ensure their eventual return to the wild. Linked to the wider issues of kiwi conservation, these tales introduce readers to the challenges and triumphs of caring for New Zealand’s unique national icon. Wonderful photos, a lively text and an engaging design all combine to make this a superb book.