Ajeet the sloth bear had been awake for hours, eating his fill of ants and termites. His tummy was full, but he used his strong paws to shake the mango tree until a few came tumbling down anyway. His sister, playing in the grass, called to him. "Ajeet, come and play with me before Mamma Bear calls us back to the cave," she shouted.
Ajeet peeked through the bushes, and then stopped. Who were those strange men? Before he knew it, the little sloth bear had been taken far away, where he would soon learn his fate...
Inspired by the conservation work of Wildlife SOS in India, Ajeet the Sloth Bear tells the story of a young bear who is captured and forced to dance for entertainment. Ajeet is afraid of humans, but he senses kindness in a little boy named Ravi.
The bear begins to feel hope again as he realizes Ravi wants to set him free. Could he get back to the family and life he longs for? Find out in Ajeet the Sloth Bear, by Gail Jewel Hunte. For ages 7 and up and beautifully illustrated in full color by artist Rhonda Van.
"Wildlife SOS has worked with hundreds of bears like Ajeet, bears taken from the wild as cubs. It is always challenging to explain to a child what that experience would be like for a young bear. Through the eyes of Ajeet the sloth bear, a young reader will learn compassion for animals and a desire to keep them free."-Nikki Sharp, Executive Director, Wildlife SOS
"I loved Ajeet the sloth bear! It sends out a very strong message both to children as well as adults-respect animals and their habitats. You have drawn attention to the poverty which exists in India very subtly, along with an idea that money can be earned in a different, much kinder way. All in all a delightful read! Much love and best wishes for a super success."-Shama Noorani Choudhary, Author of Communications from Your Angels
