REVIEW: My Wild Life by Suzi Eszterhas
As a young girl, Suzi Eszterhas knew she wanted to be a wildlife photographer. But how did she go from snapping pictures of cats in her backyard to taking photos of cheetah cubs in Kenya? In this nonfiction picture-book biography, Eszterhas invites readers to find out what her life is like behind the lens.
Spectacular photographs of animals paired with compelling anecdotes will instantly draw readers in. Each section of the book explores a unique part of Eszterhas’s job with energetic and engaging language. Along with photography tips and stories about life in the field, Eszterhas’s sections on conservation and treating animals with respect will enhance readers’ awareness of these issues. End matter includes answers to common questions Suzi has been asked.
Filled with adorable animals, stories from the field, and subtle lessons on resilience and female empowerment, the story of Eszterhas’s wild life asks readers to pursue their passions, while treating the natural world with curiosity, kindness, and respect.
Dear Ms. Eszterhas,
When I see wildlife photographs or documentaries, I think “Wow, how cool is that! Someone gets paid to do this for a living.” Then I begin to imagine all the hard work, patience, and skill that goes into getting paid to do this amazing job. This book answers a lot of questions about what goes into getting the perfect shots: studying up on animal subjects ahead of time to be ready for how they act and where they might be, being ready to live and be outdoors for days to months at a time, gaining the trust of animals, setting up blinds, and working with game wardens and trackers who know the area and the animals. The not so fun parts: watching out for ticks up your nose and bugs laying eggs in the soles of your feet. The rewards: priceless chances to see wildlife up close and personal and make a difference in conservation efforts and raising awareness. The pictures in the book are fantastic and I appreciate them even more now knowing what went into getting them. B+
~Jayne
Want to know more or do you know a teenage girl who is interested in photography? Check out Girls Who Click
AmazonBNKoboBook DepositoryGoogle
This sounds fascinating apart from those ticks and bugs… yikes! Thanks for the review, Jayne.
@Kareni: Yes … the ticks and bugs. I remember watching a documentary about a National Geographic photographer who talked about the swarms of midges and flies most of them had to sit through while waiting for “that perfect shot.” And then about how he got some type of worm infection that almost killed him. I knew then that I would never last in this profession no matter how fascinating it looked. ☺