Jack Hanna

This book is very interesting. It relays how a real safari is, while including amazing photographs of animals in their natural environments, out in Africa (Kenya and Uganda). It was really cool to see a kind of behind the scenes toolbar Jack Hanna's adventures.

This has got to be one of the best animal books for kids that I’ve ever seen. Geared toward early and middle readers, WACKIEST WILDEST WEIRDEST is chock full of interesting information and colorful, up-close photographs of some strange and/or ferocious creatures. Thirty animals are spotlighted starting with the blue-footed booby and ending with the naked mole rat. Each featured animal is presented with several different photos, general information about the animal’s description, habitat, show more and diet, as well as specific details regarding why they are included among the world’s wackiest, wildest, or weirdest animals. Included are land animals, sea creatures, birds, reptiles and even insects.

Both of the kids at my house thoroughly enjoy looking at this book and have already spent a good deal of time ooohing, aaahing, and ew-yukking over its pages. And speaking of pages, the book is printed on a nice heavy stock, almost a light cardboard, which will resist tearing during the multiple reads this book is sure to endure. There’s also a nice glossary at the back defining such terms as “tragelaphid” (a spiral-horned antelope) and “macropod” ( a type of marsupial, literally meaning “big feet”).

My only criticism, and what keeps me from giving this a full 5-star rating, is that the DVD which is included was a BIG disappointment. It has bloopers from Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild and, unfortunately, it was pretty boring. The situations weren’t very funny, especially to young kids. I would have expected to see a lot of animal action in a DVD accompanying this kind of book, but this one was peopled with, well, people! My 5-year-old niece exclaimed “I want to see animals! Where are the animals?” That sums up my thoughts on the DVD.

The book itself is great, though. I have to admit to eagerly sneaking off with it one night so that I could look through it in peace! I would not let the disappointing DVD prevent me from purchasing this book. I only mention it because it was included with the book and promoted on the cover. If there had been no DVD at all, I would have rated this book 5 stars.

So, bottom line – I highly recommend THE WACKIEST WILDEST WEIRDEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD. You can use the DVD as a coaster. show less

Somehow I led a sheltered life. A friend asked me to go with her to hear Jack Hanna speak and I agreed, wanting to keep her company, but never having heard of the man. I got the book because it was autographed.

Wow! His talk was amazingly informative and amusing at the same time. I watched a couple of his programs on television and enjoyed them, too.

This book sounds like him -- I could hear his voice in my head. However, what moves it into the five-star realm for books is the man's passion show more which shines in this book. His tireless efforts have obviously increased awareness of the fragility of the continued existence of some species. What impressed me most was that he cares about people, too. He is obviously a man of faith (explaining why Thomas Nelson published the book) and he acts to better the lives of those who need it.

I am happy I bought this book and read it. show less

This 1989 book covers the career of zoo director Jack Hanna up to that time, including his early ambition to have his own zoo, his adventures with various animals in his charge, his appearances on the Letterman show, and the safaris he led to Africa. Filled with colorful, touching anecdotes, including some that will have you rolling on the floor, the book is accompanied by plenty of black and white photos and a couple color photo inserts with pictures of twin gorilla babies, baby cheetahs, show more giraffes, elephants, camels, and more. If this book has not been updated since publication...and I haven't checked yet...it should be because I'd like to find out if the Columbus Zoo ever got its panda visit and how things turned out for the zoo in the nearly two decades since this came out. But this book does stand alone...the anecdotes and, regrettably, the dire environmental message, stand alone. show less