Trakr Searches for Survivors Heroic Animals

(Paperback)

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Description

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. Narly 3,000 people were killed, and many were trapped under the collapsed buildings. When Canadian police officer James Symington heard about the attacks, he knew he and his trained search and rescue dog, Trakr, had to help. Follow Trakr's lead as he and Symington bravely search and dig through the rubble to help rescue survivors of one of the deadliest days in U.S. history.

Reviews

True stories of heroic animals are presented in graphic novel format, from a military bear in World War II to the bomb-hunting dog that saved lives in the current war in Ukraine. Text boxes provide introductions and background information, while word balloons carry the mostly fictionalized dialogue between characters; actual quotations appear in bold font. Comic book style illustrations provide visual backdrop, conveying events and personalities effectively. Panels consistently pace each story, while larger frames are used for more dramatic moments, showing kittens stranded in a fire (Scarlett Braves the Flames), for example, and a search dog arriving at Ground Zero (Trakr Searches for Survivors). While the animal exploits are the focus, their relationships with humans are also explored. VERDICT An appealing combination of true-to-life animal heroes and graphic novel storytelling.--Steven Engelfried, formerly at Wilsonville Public Library, OR "School Library Journal"

Author Bio

The author of the Amazon best-selling hardcover Batman: A Visual History, Matthew K. Manning has contributed to many comic books, including Beware the Batman, Spider-Man Unlimited, Pirates of the Caribbean: Six Sea Shanties, Justice League Adventures, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You When not writing comics themselves, Manning often authors books about comics, as well as a series of young reader books starring Superman, Batman, and the Flash for Capstone. He currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Dorothy and their two daughters, Lillian and Gwendolyn. Visit him online at www.matthewkmanning.com. Mark Simmons is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist based in San Francisco. His past work includes comics for publishers such as Capstone, Behrman House, and Rebellion, as well as animation and advertising storyboards, animated operas, and other strange things. He also teaches comic art, figure drawing, and wildlife illustration for local zoos, schools, and museums. He loves animals of all kinds, especially bugs! For more info, visit www.ultimatemark.com.