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Bringing Up Beaver: Two Orphaned Beaver Kits, Their Humans, and Our Journey Back to the Wild
A lively and engaging account of one human’s relationship with a remarkable and charming orphaned beaver kit.
On May 10, 2020, an orphaned beaver kit was found in St. Albans, Vermont and handed over to John Aberth, a licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitator. Over the next two years, John raised the kit, whom he nicknamed "BK," and prepared him for release back into the wild. During that time, John and BK developed a special and unique bond, which John documented in a daily diary. That diary became the basis for Bringing Up Beaver, a lively and engaging account of one human’s relationship with a wild animal.
Bringing Up Beaver is more than just a feel-good story about human encounters with nature. Full of fascinating observations about beaver behavior and biology, Bringing Up Beaver also documents the unique challenges and obstacles to be faced and overcome in rehabbing a wild beaver kit. Populating the story are plenty of other wild creatures that John encountered in the course of his rehab, including other beavers—one of whom became BK’s mate—as well as hawks, owls, mink, and weasels. For anyone who has been charmed by a beaver's smile or enjoyed books like Fox and I and Eager, Bringing Up Beaver is a must read that will give us a new perspective on the wildlife and nature that exists all around us.
On May 10, 2020, an orphaned beaver kit was found in St. Albans, Vermont and handed over to John Aberth, a licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitator. Over the next two years, John raised the kit, whom he nicknamed "BK," and prepared him for release back into the wild. During that time, John and BK developed a special and unique bond, which John documented in a daily diary. That diary became the basis for Bringing Up Beaver, a lively and engaging account of one human’s relationship with a wild animal.
Bringing Up Beaver is more than just a feel-good story about human encounters with nature. Full of fascinating observations about beaver behavior and biology, Bringing Up Beaver also documents the unique challenges and obstacles to be faced and overcome in rehabbing a wild beaver kit. Populating the story are plenty of other wild creatures that John encountered in the course of his rehab, including other beavers—one of whom became BK’s mate—as well as hawks, owls, mink, and weasels. For anyone who has been charmed by a beaver's smile or enjoyed books like Fox and I and Eager, Bringing Up Beaver is a must read that will give us a new perspective on the wildlife and nature that exists all around us.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published August 5, 2025
20 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
John Aberth
24 books12 followersJohn Aberth serves as associate academic dean at Castleton State College, where he teaches history.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 16, 2025
Very VERY cute and easy read. But powerful advocacy message, and I learned so much about beavers! 🦫
September 1, 2025
First of all huge shout out to him for all the work to help save these beautiful animals. The fact that people are still trapping beavers is incomprehensible to me. They clearly do tremendous work to mitigate the effects of climate change, and there is no justification to keep killing them.
January 3, 2026
Maybe I am a beaver because I too be thinking “damn” 🎷🦫
September 7, 2025
A quick and informative read about what it takes to raise an orphaned beaver kit (as well as what goes in to rehabbing several other animals) and commentary on the cruelty of trapping and the inadequate oversight of the government agencies tasked with managing wildlife. I have a much greater understanding about beavers now and also substantially increased appreciation for wildlife rehabbers.
August 22, 2025
John Aberth is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Vermont. In May of 2020 he got his first beaver call. Beavers are different than many other wildlife rehab because if they are young kits they need to stay with the rehabber for 2 years. They also require socialization so John and his wife would need to interact with the beaver kit like they were his family. "...Nine out of ten beaver kits in rehab die, often due to 'rehabber error' (p. 8-9) and a lack of bonding would make the kit depressed and lonely. John and his wife create environments for the beaver kit (whom they name BK) both inside and outside. During their two years with BK they learn a lot about rehabbing beavers, they help him find a mate (another orphaned, rescued kit), and find a new pond for him and his mate to be released. The book includes a selection of photos which is great because you get to actually see BK and some of the other animals Aberth rehabbed during the BK time period.
I LOVE beavers so I was really looking forward to reading this one. It also has a great cover that really draws you in to the story. But I didn't love this one. Maybe it was a little too repetitive - a LOT of poo talk and descriptions, a lot of descriptions of refilling water tanks, washing bedding, etc. It is an interesting story and I admire Aberth and his wife for spending so much time (and it is a LOT of time) doing this to help wildlife. Aberth and his wife don't have children and it was a little off-putting to me how much he referred to themselves as beaver-parents. Two years is a long time and of course you would bond with BK, but that aspect of the story was odd/off-putting to me. I did really like the postscript about "the tragedy of trapping" that highlights how harmful animal trapping can be and how untold numbers of beaver kits die when their parents are trapped. I think hunting for meat/food is fine but trapping seems to only be for fur or "nuisance" and there are other ways to handle those issues. Plus there is just a lot more suffering and cruelty in trapping. Overall, this is an interesting book but I didn't love it as much as other animal memoirs I've read. I would highly recommend Eager: the surprising, secret life of beavers and why they matter by Ben Goldfarb and Aberth quotes him in the postscript as well.
I LOVE beavers so I was really looking forward to reading this one. It also has a great cover that really draws you in to the story. But I didn't love this one. Maybe it was a little too repetitive - a LOT of poo talk and descriptions, a lot of descriptions of refilling water tanks, washing bedding, etc. It is an interesting story and I admire Aberth and his wife for spending so much time (and it is a LOT of time) doing this to help wildlife. Aberth and his wife don't have children and it was a little off-putting to me how much he referred to themselves as beaver-parents. Two years is a long time and of course you would bond with BK, but that aspect of the story was odd/off-putting to me. I did really like the postscript about "the tragedy of trapping" that highlights how harmful animal trapping can be and how untold numbers of beaver kits die when their parents are trapped. I think hunting for meat/food is fine but trapping seems to only be for fur or "nuisance" and there are other ways to handle those issues. Plus there is just a lot more suffering and cruelty in trapping. Overall, this is an interesting book but I didn't love it as much as other animal memoirs I've read. I would highly recommend Eager: the surprising, secret life of beavers and why they matter by Ben Goldfarb and Aberth quotes him in the postscript as well.
November 8, 2025
In Bringing Up Beaver, John Aberth delivers a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply insightful memoir that bridges the emotional world of human empathy with the instinctual wisdom of the wild. What begins as the rescue of a single orphaned beaver kit transforms into a two year odyssey of compassion, discovery, and coexistence a journey that reveals as much about humanity as it does about nature.
Aberth, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, recounts his experience raising a beaver kit he affectionately names BK, documenting the process with the keen eye of both a scientist and a storyteller. His daily observations initially intended as field notes evolve into a moving narrative of trust, curiosity, and mutual understanding. The prose is vivid yet grounded, blending emotional intimacy with ecological insight. Readers come to see not only the charming personality of BK, but also the remarkable intelligence, engineering instincts, and social complexity that define beaver life.
What makes Bringing Up Beaver stand out is its balance between warmth and realism. Aberth does not romanticize wildlife rehabilitation; he portrays it with honesty, including the fatigue, setbacks, and emotional weight that accompany preparing a wild creature for independence. Yet even amid those challenges, his writing glows with reverence not only for BK but for the broader natural world that shaped him. The book subtly underscores themes of stewardship, patience, and the humility required to coexist with other species on their own terms.
For readers who loved Fox and I by Catherine Raven or Ben Goldfarb’s Eager, Aberth’s memoir feels like a natural continuation tender yet informative, personal yet universal. It reminds us that behind every successful rehabilitation story lies a partnership between instinct and care, and that the line between human and animal understanding is far thinner than we think.
Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and scientifically grounded, Bringing Up Beaver is a tribute to connection between human and animal, nurture and nature, captivity and freedom. It’s a must read for anyone who has ever been moved by the quiet intelligence of wildlife or inspired by the fragile but powerful relationships that bridge our worlds.
Aberth, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, recounts his experience raising a beaver kit he affectionately names BK, documenting the process with the keen eye of both a scientist and a storyteller. His daily observations initially intended as field notes evolve into a moving narrative of trust, curiosity, and mutual understanding. The prose is vivid yet grounded, blending emotional intimacy with ecological insight. Readers come to see not only the charming personality of BK, but also the remarkable intelligence, engineering instincts, and social complexity that define beaver life.
What makes Bringing Up Beaver stand out is its balance between warmth and realism. Aberth does not romanticize wildlife rehabilitation; he portrays it with honesty, including the fatigue, setbacks, and emotional weight that accompany preparing a wild creature for independence. Yet even amid those challenges, his writing glows with reverence not only for BK but for the broader natural world that shaped him. The book subtly underscores themes of stewardship, patience, and the humility required to coexist with other species on their own terms.
For readers who loved Fox and I by Catherine Raven or Ben Goldfarb’s Eager, Aberth’s memoir feels like a natural continuation tender yet informative, personal yet universal. It reminds us that behind every successful rehabilitation story lies a partnership between instinct and care, and that the line between human and animal understanding is far thinner than we think.
Beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and scientifically grounded, Bringing Up Beaver is a tribute to connection between human and animal, nurture and nature, captivity and freedom. It’s a must read for anyone who has ever been moved by the quiet intelligence of wildlife or inspired by the fragile but powerful relationships that bridge our worlds.
November 4, 2025
There are books about nature, and then there are books that immerse you in it that remind you that our human story is deeply intertwined with the wild. Bringing Up Beaver belongs to that rare second category.
John Aberth’s account of raising an orphaned beaver kit, affectionately named BK, is so much more than a wildlife rehabilitation story it’s a tender exploration of trust, responsibility, and the delicate balance between love and letting go.
From the very first pages, Aberth’s genuine compassion and curiosity shine through. He doesn’t romanticize the experience he shows the late nights, the uncertainty, the constant weighing of what’s best for a creature who must one day return to the wild. Yet, through his honest storytelling, we witness the evolution of something quietly profound: a relationship built on patience, respect, and mutual learning.
What makes this book fascinating is its blend of heart and science. Aberth offers vivid, insightful observations about beaver behavior their intelligence, social structures, and endearing quirks all without ever losing the intimacy of his personal journey. Readers gain not only an understanding of BK as an individual but also a deeper appreciation for beavers as ecosystem engineers, emotional creatures, and teachers in their own right.
His writing is vivid yet humble, filled with small, unforgettable moments the sound of gnawing wood in the quiet of the night, the first tentative swim, the bittersweet day of release. Every page reflects Aberth’s deep respect for nature’s rhythms, and for the emotional complexity of letting a wild creature go back to where it truly belongs.
For anyone who loved Fox and I, H is for Hawk, or Eager, this book feels like coming home. It’s both informative and profoundly moving the kind of story that lingers, making you look differently at rivers, wetlands, and the quiet lives being lived there.
Ultimately, Bringing Up Beaver is not just about raising a beaver it’s about what it means to relearn wildness in ourselves. It reminds us that compassion for the natural world isn’t sentimental; it’s necessary.
John Aberth’s account of raising an orphaned beaver kit, affectionately named BK, is so much more than a wildlife rehabilitation story it’s a tender exploration of trust, responsibility, and the delicate balance between love and letting go.
From the very first pages, Aberth’s genuine compassion and curiosity shine through. He doesn’t romanticize the experience he shows the late nights, the uncertainty, the constant weighing of what’s best for a creature who must one day return to the wild. Yet, through his honest storytelling, we witness the evolution of something quietly profound: a relationship built on patience, respect, and mutual learning.
What makes this book fascinating is its blend of heart and science. Aberth offers vivid, insightful observations about beaver behavior their intelligence, social structures, and endearing quirks all without ever losing the intimacy of his personal journey. Readers gain not only an understanding of BK as an individual but also a deeper appreciation for beavers as ecosystem engineers, emotional creatures, and teachers in their own right.
His writing is vivid yet humble, filled with small, unforgettable moments the sound of gnawing wood in the quiet of the night, the first tentative swim, the bittersweet day of release. Every page reflects Aberth’s deep respect for nature’s rhythms, and for the emotional complexity of letting a wild creature go back to where it truly belongs.
For anyone who loved Fox and I, H is for Hawk, or Eager, this book feels like coming home. It’s both informative and profoundly moving the kind of story that lingers, making you look differently at rivers, wetlands, and the quiet lives being lived there.
Ultimately, Bringing Up Beaver is not just about raising a beaver it’s about what it means to relearn wildness in ourselves. It reminds us that compassion for the natural world isn’t sentimental; it’s necessary.
September 11, 2025
I am always on the lookout for books like his about animals, for a book club that I’m part of. I really enjoyed this book. John and Laura work very hard to rehab animals in Vermont, and raising a beaver is the most work of all, since they would typically stay with their mother for two years. Everything they did to various problems that presented themselves during the rehabbing process was extraordinary, and I really loved reading about them finding a mate for BK, the subject of this story. Rehabbers perform a tremendous service to prevent unnecessary suffering, and often death (although animals are often too injured or taken away too soon from their parent(s) to survive. The account could have been very dry, but John, who was a professor before becoming a rehabber in retirement, writes a very engaging story. It is also a quick read, with lots of pictures, so you can see BK’s development along the way. Personally, I loved it.
October 8, 2025
This is a very personal story about wildlife rehabilitation, and it doesn't shy away from the animals that don't survive treatment. Serious, sober, and surprisingly sweet, looking through this window into the first two years of an orphaned beaver's life was charming. It was also persuasive. I appreciated Aberth ending the book with strong evidence against beaver trapping to discuss how we can address the problems these animals face as a society rather than one cute animal at a time.
That said, you know there are lovely, glossy photos of the baby beaver as inserts in the center of the book. Excellent viewing for animal lovers.
That said, you know there are lovely, glossy photos of the baby beaver as inserts in the center of the book. Excellent viewing for animal lovers.
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September 26, 2025Bookshop Santa Cruz 2025 Fall Reading Challenge selection.
John Aberth is a master wildlife rehabilitator. In Bringing up Beaver, he chronicles the two years he spent caring for an infant beaver kit until he was ready to be released back into the wild. He spares few details. You'll learn a great deal about young beavers and the significant commitment of energy and time required for their rehabilitation.
John Aberth is not a master writer. He tells it like it is, more like a conversation at the kitchen table with a friend who is more concerned about the animals he's caring for than weaving a great story. He also doesn't delve much into beaver history or biology, but he does offer some well-thought-out perspectives on trapping, which he shares in the final chapter.
If you liked Beaverland, you'll appreciate this more focused study of a one beaver (there are a few more side characters) as he grows up.
John Aberth is a master wildlife rehabilitator. In Bringing up Beaver, he chronicles the two years he spent caring for an infant beaver kit until he was ready to be released back into the wild. He spares few details. You'll learn a great deal about young beavers and the significant commitment of energy and time required for their rehabilitation.
John Aberth is not a master writer. He tells it like it is, more like a conversation at the kitchen table with a friend who is more concerned about the animals he's caring for than weaving a great story. He also doesn't delve much into beaver history or biology, but he does offer some well-thought-out perspectives on trapping, which he shares in the final chapter.
If you liked Beaverland, you'll appreciate this more focused study of a one beaver (there are a few more side characters) as he grows up.
October 13, 2025
I'm an avid reader of books about beavers, so I enjoyed many aspects of this book. My admiration for what the Aberths do is boundless. Other books I've read about this Keystone Species mentioned that beaver are highly social, but they failed to convey that baby beaver will literally die without adequate socialization. Bringing Up Beaver was a revelation in that regard. So this is an interesting book, simply told, in many regards but from a reader's perspective not as good as "Eager" by John Goldfarb.
September 9, 2025
This is more than just a charming, heartwarming story about raising a wild animal. In the final chapters the author reflects on the challenges of dealing with a bureaucracy designed to protect and preserve wildlife but which, because it is controlled by hunting and trapping interests, fails to do so. Kudos to the author for telling this story and having the courage to criticize the authorities for failure to carry out their stated mission.
October 27, 2025
A cute read about a licensed volunteer wildlife volunteer who writes a diary on his efforts to rehab a beaver kit(baby). He takes you on a two year adventure to raise this animal to maturity and then his release back into the wild. It is heartwarming of a couple who not only take care of this beaver's physical needs but its need for familial contact. The author shows you the playful and affectionate side of these incredible animals. Recommend that you find it in your local library.
November 9, 2025
What would it be like to raise an orphaned beaver? Follow along with BK and his adoptive human parents as they travel down some long and winding roads to find a new home for their young charge. I was fascinated to hear about the experience of raising an orphaned beaver and the challenges faced by these dedicated rehabbers on their journey to rewild their orphaned baby. As a bonus, if you are a Vermonter this entire journey happens in our corner of the world.
October 20, 2025
I absolutely loved "Bringing Up Beaver" by John Aberth!
It's a clear-eyed, honest - and still somehow unbearably cute - account of how hard it is to raise orphaned beaver kits so that they can be released back into the wild.
We need more people like John and Laura in this world, and we need more books like "Bringing Up Beaver"!
It's a clear-eyed, honest - and still somehow unbearably cute - account of how hard it is to raise orphaned beaver kits so that they can be released back into the wild.
We need more people like John and Laura in this world, and we need more books like "Bringing Up Beaver"!
October 21, 2025
This was an adorable book. Two stars for the writing, four stars for the content and we’ll give it a solid three. Great entertainment.
Also noted is that this was the first large print book I tried post recurrence of eye condition and it was a comfortable read and I’m excited to try more large print books in the future !
Also noted is that this was the first large print book I tried post recurrence of eye condition and it was a comfortable read and I’m excited to try more large print books in the future !
November 14, 2025
Wild animals rescue by a couple with serious skills and big hearts. Sweet, inspiring (“See, there are good people in the world”) and really interesting. Bringing up 50 pound intelligent, affectionate, water centric rodents in your basement is a challenge. Releasing them back into the wild perhaps more so.
November 15, 2025
“A gentle, heartfelt memoir that surprised me with how emotional it was. I’ve read wildlife stories before, but this one felt incredibly personal and genuine. The bond between the author and the young beaver was moving, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always full of compassion. A beautiful reminder of how much we owe the natural world.”
August 29, 2025
Fascinating description and explanation of caring for orphaned or injured beavers so they can be returned to the wild. I learned quite a bit about how beavers live and are such social animals. It also shows how much wildlife rehabilitation folks give of themselves to care for animals.
October 29, 2025
This book was an absolute delight! It was wonderful following the process of an animal rehabilitators' first experience with beavers and the many challenges that come along with it. The Dating Gameshow chapter got many chuckles out of me. Really enjoyed this one!
November 15, 2025
“Such a touching and beautifully written story. The author’s patience and heart really shine through, and I was completely charmed by the little beaver. Perfect for anyone who loves nature, memoirs, or animal rescue stories.”
August 12, 2025
Great read
November 7, 2025
I enjoy reading stories about unusual animals...it was interesting to learn about beavers and this story about how two were rehabbed back into the wild.
December 13, 2025
I dreamt in beavers!
January 18, 2026
A fun read with an important message for maintaining healthy ecosystems. Well done!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews