Adventures of Riley – Operation Orangutan
By: Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz
Illustrations and Layouts by: Ulkutay and Ulkutay, London.
Published by: Eaglemont Press 2007
Ages: four years and up.
Theme: adventure, science, excitement.
Opening Lines: “Pippen has been gone for days and I can’t find him anywhere!” said Riley. “But I have to go or I’ll miss my flight.”
Synopsis: While his mother stays home looking for his cat, 9 year old Riley travels to Borneo with his Uncle, a scientist. and extended family members including cousin Alice. Searching for orangutans, learning their habitat and environment issues, Riley embarks on an adventure in an unusual hot air balloon. After spotting sun bears, flying frogs and strangler figs, Riley makes a rain forest discovery. Will this be his new pet, and what rare event does he witness in the unpredictable forests of Borneo? You will have to get this book to find out.
Why I like this: This book is one in a series of “Adventures of Riley” by Amanda and Laura. Every book contains fascinating fact boxes, a glossary of terms, additional information at the back of the book, and a smart blend of illustration and “real-life” photography, with different stories, a different place, different animals, and each a great learning tool, captivating young readers, with adventure and action in the wilds whether Riley is in the jungle or out on the ice. Like in all the books, there is a letter in the front of the book inviting Riley to join his Uncle and other extended family on an adventure kids would jump to have a chance at!
Interesting Note: Produced with the assistance of wildlife experts from the Smithsonian, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the World Wildlife Fund, the series’ titles include Tigers in Terai, Safari in South Africa, and Amazon River Rescue. The books are published by Eaglemont Press, a Washington-based publishing company cofounded by Lumry that specializes in books that focus on nature and the environment. Other books by Lumry draw on her talent as a photographer, including Homespun: An Intimate Portrait of an Amish and Mennonite Community and Cayman: A Photographic Journey through the Islands, the last which features over 200 photographs by Lumry and Wengerd that bring to life the three-island group that is a favorite of tourists.
Resources/Findings: The book itself is dotted with facts, at the back is a glossary and links for more information.
Here are some other books in the series, with links to more…. http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Riley-Polar-Bear-Puzzle/dp/054506838X/ref=pd_sim_b_5
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Riley-Safari-South-Africa/dp/0545068266/ref=pd_sim_b_4
Here is an interview with the author… http://grist.org/article/lumry/full/
This is a website listing resource links for kids with pets… http://m.parenthood.com/article/detail.php?article=5543
Pop over and visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Love, love this idea. Thank you for introducing me to this series, Diane!
LOL, I thought of you the minute I saw this. I think you will find it very interesting. Enjoy!
Animal rescue? International travel? Sounds like our family’s kind of book. Thanks for posting it!
Yes, I thought the same thing. This particular book reminded me of my time in an Orangutan reserve. Enjoy!
That’s quite a list of stellar experts collaborating on this title! I’m interested to read. (curious to know how the missing cat figures in?)
Arrr…. now if you read the book you will know he appears at the end. You know the old saying,; better the pet you know than a new one. …lol. 😉
Wasn’t familiar with this series Diane. I really love the idea of the children accompanying an uncle/scientist on an adventure of searching for orangutans, learning their habitat and environment issues. Great pick!
It is a great educational book while still having a historical fiction story throughout. Interesting concept! Glad you like this, Pat.
Sounds really interesting, esp. the visual execution. Thanks, Diane.
Yes, thought you would like the visual concept, Julie. Embedding photo within illustration. Thanks, Julie.
Looks like a good example of a non-fiction adventure book. . .thanks for sharing it with us!
It is. Thanks, Jarm.
Wow! This looks like an excellent adventure series! My Princesses are looking for a good series to get into. I’ll have to tell them about this. Thanks!
Your very welcome, rhythm. Enjoy!
Diane…what is fascinating to me is that so many of the PPBF picks this week are non-fiction type books…I’ve started with number 1 on the list…and most of them so far are NF! They do say that great minds think alike.:) 🙂
Great review and the resource list is wonderful, Diane…thanks for telling us about this one!
Yes, true great minds think alike. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this one, Vivian.
This sounds like a seies I would love! Thanks for introducing.
Your very welcome, Darlene.
This sounds exciting and adventurous, Diane. I must look out for it. Cheers!
Hope you find it, Catherine. Thanks for stopping by.
THis looks like a very interesting series. I can’t wait to see which the library has. THank-you.
Cool! Glad you liked this, Joanne. Hope your library has the series.
Very cute summary! I like how the uncle is a scientist. 🙂
Thank you, Erik. It’s very educational as well as having a fun story. Enjoy!
Sounds like a fun and interesting book, Diane! Thanks for sharing!