From the award-winning author of the bestselling Library Mouse series comes a biographical picture book about the true story of rhino champion Anna Merz and the black rhinoceros Samia. With a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Lewa Downs Conservancy, Rhino in the House ’s engaging story is perfect for animal lovers, animal rights enthusiasts, and fans of Me . . . Jane . When Anna Merz traveled to east Africa, she became appalled at the rampant poaching that took place there, specifically toward the black rhinoceros. Anna devoted her life to protecting the wildlife of the region, founding a reserve in Kenya called Lewa Downs to care for them. Anna kept a watchful eye on the animals, especially the rhinos. One day, Anna found a small black rhino calf, likely abandoned by its mother. So she nurtured the calf, named it Samia, fed it special formula, and even let it sleep in her bed. Everywhere Anna went Samia was never far behind. The two became so close, in fact, that Anna soon learned how rhinos communicate with one another. Anna was able to distinguish the rhino’s many different grunts and what she meant by them: “Snort! Snuff,” cried Samia (“This is fun!”); “Hoo-hoo-hoo!” she called (“I’m coming!”). But with time, Samia got bigger . . . and bigger . . . and bigger—to the point where she couldn’t fit inside Anna’s house any longer. It was time for Anna to make the tough decision she always knew she would have to make at some point or another: She would need to reintroduce Samia to the wild so she could lead her life with the rest of her kind. Richly illustrated with pen, ink, and watercolors, Daniel Kirk’s first nonfiction picture book brings awareness to wildlife protection and fosters further understanding of animal rescue and welfare, positioned in a sensitive way that’s appropriate for young readers. Kirk traveled to Kenya to see the reserve firsthand and his photographs grace the back matter, which includes an author’s note and bibliography. K-Gr 2—Anna Merz, the founder of a rhinoceros sanctuary in Kenya, finds and raises a frail black rhino calf she names Samia. This straightforward description of a wild animal's rescue stands out for the specificity of its setting, made clear to young readers with maps of the world and of Africa with all its countries. An inset pinpoints the location of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Samia's home. The digitally added color in Kirk's illustrations, created with graphite pencil, is particularly effective on the endpaper scenes showing the rolling savanna of the sanctuary in daytime and twilight. The rhino looks almost cuddly at first in these softly rounded images; her growth is charted effectively over the course of the narrative. One striking spread depicts Samia, nearly full-grown but still thinking she could wander into the house at will, wedged in a doorway. At the beginning and end, Merz is seen reading to her rhino friend: "She found that reading to the little animal calmed her down." In an afterword, the author/illustrator describes how his curiosity about Merz and Samia was raised by reading Merz's obituary. Kirk's research included a trip to the Lewa sanctuary. VERDICT A pleasant addition to storytimes about animal rescue and rehabilitation.—Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD "A solid introduction to wildlife conservation...Samia saves the story, offering great appeal for young readers and moving the lively narrative along with her antics."― Kirkus Reviews "Kirk’s full-color, playful illustrations render the amiable rhino with cute features, and the savannah scenes are rich with lively detail...A playful glimpse into the life of a conservationist."― Booklist "This straightforward description of a wild animal’s rescue stands out for the specificity of its setting, made clear to young readers with maps of the world and of Africa with all its countries... A pleasant addition to storytimes about animal rescue and rehabilitation."― School Library Journal "This wonderfully illustrated, charming true story is another great book for introducing environmental issues and some of the joys and challenges they engender." ― School Library Connection Daniel Kirk is a graduate of Ohio State University and is the bestselling author of the beloved Library Mouse series, as well as a range of picture books and novels for young readers, including The Thing About Spring , ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas , and the Elf Realm trilogy. He currently lives with his family in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. While researching Rhino in the House , he visited Lewa Downs Conservancy in Kenya where he went on a photo safari, saw Anna Merz’s home, and interviewed those who had known her and who are carrying on her work.