I first saw sea lions (to remember, I probably saw them when I was little but that doesn't count) in the Milwaukee zoo last year. I was instantly in love. They are so cool! So I was pleased to take a look at this book about a special sea lion.

Astro was found alone when he was only a few days old. He was taken to the Marine Mammal Center and fed and cared for until he was ten months old, when the Center returned him to the wild. Or at least they tried! Astro's early experiences had imprinted him on humans instead of other sea lions and he refused to return to the sea. Finally, Astro was sent to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and is now happy in their exhibits and working with the people studying Stellar sea lions.

The text is detailed enough to grab the attention of older children but could also be easily abridged and read aloud to younger children. Animal stories are always a strong draw and this one is clearly expressed and has lots of fun plot points that will hold children's attention. I had to read through a couple times before I appreciated the quasi-realistic illustrations. I was confused because I thought they were digitally altered photographs, then realized they were actually a mixture of paint, colored pencils, and crayons. I would have preferred photographs, but I think most children and parents will enjoy the more artistic illustrations.

The book includes information on Stellar sea lions and comprehension games and questions. I would have liked to see a further information section, but a quick google search will bring up plenty of further information on Astro (including lots of cute utube videos....ahem).

Verdict: There are only a couple general information books out there on sea lions and this title makes a nice addition to the limited information and will pique kids' interest in these fascinating animals. Take a look at your collection on marine mammals and if you only have a few titles, or outdated materials, I would recommend adding Astro when you update this section. It's a real child-pleaser!

ISBN: 9781607180760; Published August 2010; Review copy provided by author.

Jeanne Walker Harvey has written an amazing true story about a special sea lion that was stranded as a pup and later rehabilitated at the Marine Mammal Center. What's so incredible about the story line of the main character Astro, is that upon his release into the sea, he would keep coming back. Would Astro be able to return to the wild? Indeed, curious minds want to know.

Not only is this a great educational book but a fun one for home schools, animal lovers, and for all ages who care about endangered and threatened species. Once you hear about Astro's story, I guarantee this, you and your family will fall in love with Astro and his "stellar" life.

From all the details of the rehabilitating steps that have begun at Santa Cruz to more information gathered and shared at the Mystic Aquarium regarding how he was moved to Connecticut, you will want to purchase this wonderful picture book. Towards the back of the book it looks like a Junior National Geographic section on Stellar Sea Lion facts of their life cycle and the difference between a sea lion and a seal.

In addition to the author presenting well researched information and a passionate heart toward one sea lion's rescue, you'll find the real life illustrations by Shennen Bersani complimenting the text warmly. A real page turner book leading the young reader on to learn more!

Guiding children through education and discovering their environment about nature and marine animals, I believe you will find it here in this wonderful 5* picture book and I highly recommend this one to you. You'll find teaching activities, interactive quizzes available, plus Spanish text and so much more.

Thank you Jeanne for introducing Astro to our family. We rejoice with many who have learned that this very lucky sea lion is safe and he is home. We LOVE his story and wish you much continued success! ( )

Steller sea lions are a threatened species; so when a scientist spotted an abandoned pup swimming off the coast of California, the Marine Mammal Center was contacted to save the it. Following the rescue, workers at the Center prepared the sea lion, nicknamed Astro, for his return to the wild - the usual course of action. However, after multiple attempts to return Astro to the ocean (including one in which Astro swam for three days to return to shore, where he came aground and participated in an elementary school's walk-a-thon!), researchers and scientists finally concluded that Astro was not a candidate for reintroduction into his native habitat. After a stop at UC Santa Cruz, Astro found a permanent home in at the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. You can see him there today.

Astro: The Steller Sea Lion is an engaging teaching tool for readers and students seeking to learn about animal rescue, Steller sea lions, or threatened species. Astro's unique adventures make his story as entertaining as it is informative,

"Finally, he let go. With a huge splash, Astro swam deep into the ocean. His friends cheered. But . . . 10 days later, Astro swam under the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco bay. He climbed onto a sandy beach in someone's backyard - not far from The Marine Mammal Center."

Astro had bonded with humans and was not interested in returning to the ocean.

The text is large and the vocabulary is fairly simple, making this a book that children can enjoy without help. Plain font, black text appears in the open spaces of sea and sky in Shennen Bersani's stunning illustrations. The double-spread ilustrations are near photographic quality, though the book jacket notes that she uses colored pencils primarily, "sometimes using a mixed-media technique of colored pencils, crayons, and paint." The results are precise and strikingly realistic.

Back matter includes species facts, information and maps on Steller sea lions, life cycle information, and "Sea Lion or Seal?"

This is a story that does not have the happy ending that children may be expecting; Astro cannot be reintroduced to the wild, however, this is a good lesson on the limits of man's influence over nature. The best that we can do is the best that we can do.

Curiously, the book's cataloging summary lists it as fiction. Though minor details may have been changed, Astro and his adventures are most certainly real. Links to a video about Astro and a link to a related newspaper article are below.

This is an attractive and informative book that will appeal to students, teachers, and marine life enthusiasts.
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