'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Review: Adventures in the Wild with Jan Latta

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to come face to face with a lion, pat a wild cheetah, or watch a majestic giraffe lumber past followed by her skittish baby?

Jan Latta has had these amazing experiences, and her spectacular photography allows us to share them with her. She has a true talent for capturing the beauty and heart of a place, showing us the wild, untameable landscape of Africa yet sharing touching moments of the awe-inspiring animals she encounters.

Adventures in the Wild follows one of Jan’s trips to Africa. Written in first person, it draws readers in as they fly in to Africa and learn about the animals waiting there. Jan’s photographs put us right there along side her, seeing what she sees and marvelling at the magnificent creatures we meet.

We travel through the wilds, camping and following animals. We feel the tension as there is a rustling and rumbling outside the tent, opening the tent flaps to see a large bull elephant only a metre away! And whilst staying in Nabiosho camp, a lion pride surrounds the camp every night, their roars vibrating through your body.

This book gives kids a rare insight into experiences most of us can only dream of. We see the tender moments of a lion playing with her cubs and baby elephants playing in the water. Yet along the way we learn how the animals interact with each other, how they give warning signals, hide their young and hunt.

My ten-year-old loved this book. She was fascinated by the antics of the animals and revelled in telling me all the new facts she had learned. Such as that there are nine different patterns that giraffes can have and that baby giraffes fall on their head when they are born but can run only ten hours later!

With chapters focussing on different animals, including lions, zebras, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and birds, this book covers a wide range of African animals and gives interesting information on all of them. The photography really brings it to life and makes you part of the adventure and leaves you feeling a genuine connection with these beautiful animals.



Title: Adventures in the Wild with Jan Latta
Author/Illustrator: Jan Latta
Publisher: True to Life Books, $20
Publication Date: August 2019
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN: 9781645700999
For ages: 8+
Type: Non-Fiction