The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship - Owen & Mzee

This book is a perfect role model for children. It is such a touching and compassionate story about a hippo and a tortoise coming together and becoming friends. This shows how kind-hearted two animals can come together being friends that anything in life can also happen even when you don't suspect it or wouldn't believe it until you see it.

Cynthia Marie Rizzo author of "Angela and the Princess" and "Julie and the Unicorn"

This book is beyond heartwarming...my eyes brim with tears nearly everytime I read this remarkable story about dear Owen and sweet Mzee. My girls have been inspired by this story to not just let something be...get involved if you think it's right and not to judge a situation, to think "outside the box" and see how brilliant mother-nature is! This is a survival story and WE LOVE IT! Buy it, NOW!

This story of unconditional love is the perfect book ot have in your house or read to a class. Children are always more open to learning lessons of humanity when it is presented by less initmidating characters such as, a tortoise and a hippo. The book is engaging and chock full of facts, making it fun and educational. If your child loves tortoises, I also recommend A Boy And A Turtle. The colorful and adorable characters in this book will introduce your child to relaxation. What a concept, children being exposed to compassion, unconditional love for self and others and relaxation.

I purchased this book because of my grandchildren, but when I read it, I realized that it is also a very good book for grownups. The story of these two - one very old, one very young - is hard to resist. And there is much to learn from their tale. I told my daugher about the book, and she volunteered my reading the book to my grandson's kindergarten class. The children loved the story and the remarkable accompanying photographs. And I loved sharing it with them. In addition to teaching about animals, the story of Owen and Mzee illustrates a wonderful life story about friends and friendships that we can all learn from.

This book was soooo sweet. It's lovely to finally know the whole story behind the popular internet photo that circulated for so long. It it chock full of amazing pictures of these friends and is also educational, explaining some geography and animal behavior. I highly recommend it for all ages. I bought it for my husband and he loved it as much as our 7 year old!

I am simply blown away by everything about this book and story. I have shared this heartwarming story with everyone who will listen. I congratulate Isabella (6 yoa) who had the vision and her father who had the know-how to make this book happen. Regardless of age or gender, you will be astounded by this book; the relationship between the main characters normally just does not happen in nature. But the photos made me a believer. Life is mysterious!

The beautiful story of tortoise and hippo is, honestly, rather botched here by inconsistent and infrequent photos, and poor writing. The writing meanders back and forth over the fine line of engaging and educational necessary for elementray school level books. The writing is rather poor, the story focuses on inconsequential details, and an opportunity to discuss captivating aspects of the tortoise/hippo relationship are misssed. We should probably fault the editing, because it seems that a decent, if a bit schmaltzy and dreamy, tale was forced, ham-fisted, into educational prose. It's almost painful to read.

The story itself is great, and the book is worth having to engage children in a discussion of the pictures. But the photos, too, are not great. The quality is inconsistent, there are too few pictures, and several are repetitive.

Get the book, tell your child your own version of the story, and celebrate the friendship of these creatures, which humans have maligned with this mediocre book.

I originally purchased this book for my 7 year old and I am considereing keeping this for myself! It's a priceless story of the unlikely relationship between a rescued baby hippo and an old loner tortise. Well written and the pictures are truly worth a thousand words.

...my kids love that saying and Owen and Mzee certainly are BFFs. Owen & Mzee is the story of the extraordinary friendship between a baby hippo (Owen) and a 130-year-old giant tortoise (Mzee). A good read with a positive message for young readers.

This book is a truly miraculous and wondrous tale of the power of love and friendship in human and animal life. I purchased copies of this book for myself and for people ranging in age from 4 to 65. I dare anyone to read it without getting teary-eyed. It is awe-inspiring and fascinating. A MUST HAVE book.

We love this book and the sequel"Language of Friendship". I'm glad we purchased both, you will be wanting to know what happens next in their remarkable story. My son is 8 and loved the frienship between the 2 animals. In fact, his teacher was very intrigued and I will be reading both to his class at school. Beautiful pictures and quality pages, nice colorful hardback book.

this true story is enjoyable and informative for both children and adults. the cooperation and concern of owens human helpers and the bond between owen and mzee were truly special. the photographs in this book were excellent.

This is a heart warming story of love, friendship and the bond that keeps us all together-our need for each other. It proves that life's lessons are all around us if we only stop long enough to look.

When the tsunami hit back in late 2004, some animals that were now homeless were moved to Hallard Park in Kenya (an animal sanctuary). Owen (130 year old hippo) was one of the animals moved and within three minutes of being in his new home, he met Mzee, the tortise. Ever since the two have been inseperable. It's adorable to see through these pictures the amazing friendship that has been formed. They swim, eat and play together. This story has touched so many hearts and it shows that after disasters, can come hope and resiliance. It also shows that love can develop in the most unlikely places. This book is a treat for absolutely anyone. Whether you are an animal lover or not, this story is simply amazing and the beautiful pictures show the cute twosome caring for each other. Such a great, beautiful read. Go get this now for yourself or a gift. It will appeal to everyone for sure.

When the tsunami hit back in late 2004, some animals that were now homeless were moved to Hallard Park in Kenya (an animal sanctuary). Owen (130 year old hippo) was one of the animals moved and within three minutes of being in his new home, he met Mzee, the tortise. Ever since the two have been inseperable. It's adorable to see through these pictures the amazing friendship that has been formed. They swim, eat and play together. This story has touched so many hearts and it shows that after disasters, can come hope and resiliance. It also shows that love can develop in the most unlikely places. This book is a treat for absolutely anyone. Whether you are an animal lover or not, this story is simply amazing and the beautiful pictures show the cute twosome caring for each other. Such a great, beautiful read. Go get this now for yourself or a gift. It will appeal to everyone for sure.