Wildlife rehabilitator Lil Anderson has a whole new story about beavers that will endear them to every reader. Anderson works for the Ministry of Natural Resources and also runs a wildlife rehabilitation centre from her home in Northern Ontario. This book, her first, is the true story of two of her little charges, a pair of beaver kits that grow and play together, love and cherish each other, and mourn openly when one is lost. If you enjoyed Kay McKeever’s stories about raising owls, you’ll want to read this one. Anderson is a natural storyteller and brings just the right mix of detail, emotion, and humour to her tale. And, although things don’t always go right, the story has a happy ending.

The 16 chapters are sprinkled with simple pen and ink sketches by Sandor Szucs, and the centre of the book features eight pages of small colour photos of animals Anderson has cared for. Readers will learn a great deal about beaver biology, habits, and habitat. Anderson also includes stories of other animals she has rescued over the years, including a white-tailed fawn, a groundhog, and a young bald eagle. Each case reveals new insights into animal behaviour. Anderson explains the failures realistically and also cautions readers against taking in wild animals. Rehabilitation organizations are listed in the back of the book, along with contact information. The length of the book lends itself best to older readers; however, it would also make a successful read-aloud book and an excellent resource for the classroom, providing all kinds of spin-offs for imaginative teachers.