A mother cat and her kittens, shot with a pellet gun. A poacher illegally stalking a bear. Peg Kehret tells these true stories and more as she invites readers into her life on a small wildlife sanctuary.
Vividly showing the joys of animal rescue while providing facts about the animals and birds she encounters, Kehret also shares the tragedy of her husband's sudden death, and the pain of losing Pete, the shelter cat who co-authored three of her books. Written with honesty, heart, and humor,Animals Welcome is a personal glimpse into the life of an author who loves animals, and the philosophy by which she lives. —Goodreads
First Line: Most of my books include an animal. I've written about elephants, bears, llamas, dogs, cats, chimpanzees, a rabbit, a pig, a 'possum, a horse, a pony, and a monkey.
What Others Are Saying: "Each chapter is a new adventure with a cat or dog that comes into Kehret’s life, and young readers who love animals will enjoy these chatty anecdotes."—Kirkus
"This book is a collection of heartwarming snapshots centered on animals from feral cats, black bears to peacocks. You just never know who is going to show up when the welcome mat is out and all animals are welcome."—Layla Morgan Wilde
What I Thought: This was a delightful read and would make a fun read-aloud for children. I was amazed at the adventures that the author has had with all kinds of animals. Her writing is clear and concise and her story telling is exceptional. My favorite was sad but so full of hope and promise that I found it inspiring. In the chapter entitled "My Life Changed Forever," Kehret relates the loss of her husband Carl and how she found purpose and joy once again through her first foster cat. "I still miss Carl and always will, but his workshop is no longer a sad, empty space,"writes Kehret about the workshop turned—Home For Wayward Cats...Strays Welcome!
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Who: Peg Kehret has always loved to write. As a child, she wanted to be either a writer or a veterinarian; now she includes animals in most of her books. She grew up in Austin, Minnesota, and had a happy and normal childhood except for a bout with polio which paralyzed her from the neck down and hospitalized her for nine months. However, she made nearly a complete recovery. She graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Minnesota for one year.
She married Carl Kehret in 1955, and moved to California two years later. They adopted two children, Bob and Anne. As a young mother, Peg completed one more year of college. In 1970, Peg and Carl moved to Washington State where she still lives.
What: Kehret has published 47 books, the majority being children's books. She has won awards in just about every state. Here are just a few:
Later this week join me for an interview with NW author Katherine Schlick Noe author of Something To Hold. The book is based on her own experiences on an Indian Reservation in Oregon. Read the review, here.
If you haven't checked out other MMGM reviewers, you are really missing out on some great books to put on your TBR list for 2013!
