Moto and Me
From 7 to 10 | 40 pages
Moto and Me tells the remarkable firsthand story of wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas’s care for an orphaned baby serval—a small, spotted wildcat—in Kenya. When a grass fire separates the serval from his family, a ranger asks Suzi, who is living in a bush camp and is skilled with animals, to be the serval’s foster mom.
The book chronicles Suzi’s tender care of Moto, including how she feeds, bathes, and plays with him, and helps him develop hunting skills. Her goal is to help him learn how to survive on his own in the wild. After 6 months, he is ready to leave—a difficult good-bye, but exactly what Suzi had worked for. Stunning photography illustrates this touching and rare wildlife rescue story.
The book chronicles Suzi’s tender care of Moto, including how she feeds, bathes, and plays with him, and helps him develop hunting skills. Her goal is to help him learn how to survive on his own in the wild. After 6 months, he is ready to leave—a difficult good-bye, but exactly what Suzi had worked for. Stunning photography illustrates this touching and rare wildlife rescue story.
"A model of narrative nonfiction for the elementary-age audience...an encouraging example of wildlife rescue and release with guaranteed child appeal." - Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
"Tender...a vibrant, small-scale comeback story." - Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
"[Suzi Eszterhas's] passion for wild animals is, as always, evident and contagious. There's no way to describe the color photographs other than: SQUEEEE...! Highly recommended for ages 7 to 10." - Ingram
"A tender and heartwarming account that's certain to delight children, especially animal lovers." - School Library Journal
"Photos of Moto, both as a fluffy-faced baby and an active, handsome adult, are the clear scene-stealers, but plenty of interesting facts on servals are included. More than one reader will consider following in Eszterhas' footsteps." - Booklist
"Such a good idea for a book and such wonderful writing... I can’t imagine how any kid could resist at least thumbing through the pages." - A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ)
"This appealing wildlife story is told with authentic detail by a talented author/photographer with expert credentials... Highly Recommended." - Canadian Review of Materials
"Woven throughout the story are facts about servals and their natural environment, and the photography is stunning." - Ithaca Child Magazine
A Junior Library Guild selection, 2016
Children's Literature Association of Utah's Beehive Award, 2019
Texas Cypress-Fairbanks Horned Toad Tales List, 2019
Maine Student Book Award, 2019
2019-2020 Triple Crown Awards
