Superheroes

So...did you notice the foreshadowing in one of my previous posts?

Next week, we're looking at superhero resources.

Say Woof!: The Day of a Country Veterinarian

Gibbons, Gail. Say Woof!: The Day of a Country Veterinarian. New York : Maxwell Macmillan International, 1992.

Plot: The book introduces young readers to veterinarians by recording a typical day for a country vet. While he takes care of some animals in his clinic, he must also go on "house calls" to farms and dairies. Also, he must help animals in emergency situations. 

Genre: Animals, Veterinarians

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Similar Titles: I Want to Be a Veterinarian, DK Readers: Animal Hospital

Personal Thoughts: Overall, a good picture-book introduction to veterinarians. The terms are simple, but not condescending and the illustrations are visually appealing. Includes a glossary at the end of the book.

Side note: I really like the lighting in the picture. I wonder if I can replicate it.

All Creatures Great and Small

Herriot, James. All Creatures Great and Small. New York : St. Martin's Press, 1972.

Plot: Alf Wight, under the pen name James Herriot, reflects on his first few years as a veterinarian in pre-WWII Yorkshire. While much of his expertise relied on the quack remedies and educated guesses of the pre-antibiotic medical world, his experiences continue to resound with vets and animal lovers. His early adventures eventually guide him to "three cylinder" cows, bossy farm wives, escaping chickens, fainting cowman, dying horses, grumpy pigs, lovable lapdogs, and his wife. 

Genre: Veterinarians, Animals, Biography

Reading Level: I started reading this in middle school, but some situations and technical terms may be ill-suited for the sensitive and squeamish.

Similar Titles: All Things Bright and Beautiful, Hero of the Herd, While You're Here, Doc: Farmyard Adventures of a Maine Veterinarian

Personal Thoughts: A must-read for animal lovers. The series seems to touch sentimentality of people who like animals. However, most of the reviews I read tend to ignore the grittier aspects of the book, such as the nature of the injuries or reactions of the owners. Veterinarians suffered (and continue to suffer) from the same degrees of frustration and joys as any other profession. Herriot addresses this fact, without becoming too mushy or too technical.

The series inspired a television program in 1972. It ran until 1990, and can still be found on DVD and NetFlix. 

So, you wanna be a vet?

As I once mentioned, I am currently employed by an aquarium. Last week, I encountered a guest that insisted he/she wanted to be a veterinarian. While this is a common comment and reasonable expression, I wondered if he/she would really want to be a vet if he/she really knew how much work, politics, people, and science were involved with the occupation.

This week's theme is dedicated to him/her. We will review works about veterinarians.

At the Stables, Horse and Dog