A True Story

Written by Jane Kurtz Illustrated by Claire Messer

This is a fictional tale about Clara, a famous rhinoceros that was taken in as a calf by a Dutch sea captain 260 years ago. This adorable Indian Rhino traveled with Captain Van der Meer where she became a wonderful ambassador for the species. As many know, rhinos have the reputation of be ill-tempered, deadly and cruel. Clara proved these assumptions to be wrong in her lifetime.

Today, many would feel that having someone travel with what should be a wild animal in this way is wrong but as the author’s note says the captain truly treasured Clara and took the best care of her he could. The note also discusses how with conservation efforts these rhinos are now numbering in the thousands although in the past very few were left alive and the species was almost extinct. II would recommend this book as an extra purchase as philosophies on wild animal care have changed and this may take some explaining to do if one was to want to read it aloud to groups and young children.