The Crane and the Keeper: How an Endangered Crane Chose a Human as Her Mate
by Meeg Pincus; illus. by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara
Primary, Intermediate    Smithsonian Kids/Candlewick Entertainment    40 pp.
1/25    9781536232363    $18.99

This nonfiction picture book tells the intriguing story of Walnut, a white-naped crane who imprinted on a human when she first hatched in 1981. Over the next two decades, she is subsequently sent to, and removed from, multiple zoos due to aggressive behavior. At the age of twenty-four, she enters a specialized breeding program for endangered cranes under the care of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), where she forms a close relationship with crane keeper Chris Crowe. Pincus skillfully weaves information about animal behavior and themes of trust and companionship into a story that highlights how patience and understanding can lead to extraordinary connections. The text is informative and accessible, detailing Walnut’s journey while emphasizing the importance of conservation and explaining the critical role of breeding programs in preserving wildlife. O’Mara’s digital illustrations, using soft colors that beautifully capture the realistic expressions of the crane, effectively convey the bond between bird and human. Back matter includes a glossary, a bibliography and resources, an interview with Crowe, and further information about NZCBI.

From the ">January/February 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.