Railway Jack: the True Story of an Amazing Baboon

Description

Jim was a South African railway inspector in the late 1800s who lost his legs in an accident while at work. Unable to perform all his tasks with his disability but desperate to keep his job, Jim discovered a brilliant solution, a baboon named Jack. Jim trained Jack to help him both at home and at the depot. But when the railway authorities and the public discovered a monkey on the job, Jack and Jim had to work together to convince everyone that they made a great team. This inspiring true story celebrates the history of service animals and a devoted friendship.

KT found history a boring subject in school - but now it's the passion of her writing. She earned a degree in biology and conducted animal behavior studies before switching to a corporate career. After raising two children and several litters of curly-coated retrievers, KT began writing, spotlighting special animals who had affected the lives of everyday people. She and her husband live in Minneapolis where the four-legged members of their family have always been special. KT hopes to inspire others to be curious about the world, one true story at a time. Cesar Samaniego was born in Barcelona on 1975. He grew up with an artist father, smelling his father's oils, reading his comic books, and trying to paint over his father's illustrations! He attended Llotja Arts and Crafts School and graduated with honors in 2010. Since then he has published many books and provided art for apps, textbooks, and animations. Cesar lives in Canet de Mar, a small town on the coast of Barcelona, with his wife, daughter, five cats, and a crazy dog.

A warm, engaging tale of the bond between a resourceful man and his service animal.-- "Kirkus Reviews" Both the art and the narrative steer clear of any anthropomorphization of Jack. Back matter includes photos of Jack and Wide at work, an author's note, information on primates, the history of service animals, discussion questions, and a glossary. . . .The book successfully shows people's relationships with service animals and offers a positive portrayal of disability. . . .A good conversation starter that will need some unpacking.-- "School Library Journal" In the annals of service animals, there can be but few to equal Jack, a chacma baboon who operated switches, fetched keys, and performed other complex tasks at South Africa's Uitenhage train station in the 1880s for Jim, a station attendant who had lost both legs in an accident. . . .Though the story itself is a sunny one, portraying a loving two-way relationship, the discussion questions add necessary balance by bringing up issues of exploitation, keeping wild animals in captivity, and the perils of anthropomorphism.-- "Booklist" It's a human story, a story of resilience, a story of a dependent relationship and the human/animal connection, and most of all, a story of great friendship.-- "Kevin Kling, author, playwright, and coommentator for National Public Radio's"