QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop Photography

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Photographs by Nic Bishop

Bibliography: Montgomery, Sy. 2006.  QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Bishop, Nic. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Plot Summary:  The story centers around the search for and capture of Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea.  The story follows two men, Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop, as they search for these rare creatures with a team of scientists. 

Critical Analysis: As an animal lover I adored this book. The story of the tree kangaroo was astounding.  It felt as if you had stepped into Jurassic Park with all of the strange animals and birds.  My favorite line from the story is on the very first page. “ In a place like this, we half expect a hobbit or a troll to show up. But it’s better than that. The animals who really do live here are even more fantastic.” The author, scientists, and photographer take you to a place many of us can only dream about.  We not only see them finding these rare creatures but also how they tag them for study and rerelease them.  The pictures were just magnificent.  The photographer, Nic Bishop, did an amazing job of capturing the expedition and the people. However, my favorite pictures are the ones of the animals, insects, and plants. There are pictures of birds, tree kangaroos, weevils, snakes, and breath-taking scenery.  The pictures really do make the story come alive for the reader.

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “ The books’ fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them.”

·      Booklist: “As usual, Bishop’s color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work.”

Connections:

·      This story is a great way to introduce expeditions and wildlife preservation efforts

·      The story can help children understand the process by which scientists go through to study rare species in order to better preserve and care for them.

·      Other titles by this author:

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer. 2009. SAVING THE GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN: AN EXPEDITION AMONG SNOW LEOPARDS IN MONGOLIA. ISBN: 978-0618916450.

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer.  2007. THE TRANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN: 978-0618915774