Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals

by Nancy Furstinger

Chris P. Bacon was born with malformed legs, but with the help of a wheelchair made of construction toys, he’s become a hero to people with similar challenges.

Nancy Furstinger profiles Chris P. Bacon and many other animals in Unstoppable —all of whom are making their way around with the help of prosthetics, braces, orthotics and wheelchairs! Readers will meet the caretakers, prosthetists, vets, and loving families that help to make recovery possible. Furstinger offers a glimpse into the cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printing and brain-controlled prosthetics, that are helping to improve the lives of animals and humans alike.   

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Childrens, Dogs, Technology

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 10, 2017

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: All the animals in this book inspire us with their gumption.

Premise/plot: This nonfiction book is dedicated to some amazing animals and the humans with big hearts and creative minds that have helped them overcome adversities. The focus is, for the most part, on the animals. But would these stories have happy endings if it wasn't for the humans involved? The humans who have opened their hearts, their homes, their minds and welcomed special-needs animals into their lives. The animals may have a resilient attitude and charisma. The animal stories may melt the heart. But I can't help thinking the stories would be tragic if it weren't for the humans. Perhaps it is easy for the animals to steal the show. Perhaps it is right that they should.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Some of the stories are bittersweet. But the bittersweet stories start out bitter--with animals being abused, neglected, having an accident--and end sweet. That is a thousand times better than stories that start out sweet and end bitter.

I would recommend this one.

[Kent District Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My children and I really enjoyed reading Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals by Nancy Furstinger. We would recommend it to animal lovers and those interested in tech. You will cheer for all of these incredible animals!” – Liz at Plainfield Township

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profiles animals with prosthetics, braces, wheelchairs, etc.

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals by Nancy Furstinger – Furstinger looks at many different animal species and several different types of prosthetic devices which have been made for them. Each of the 11 stories include background on the animal, how their disability occurred and how their specific device was made. Animals from little Estella the guinea pig who needed a mini wheelchair to Chhouk the baby elephant who sustain a sever foot injury from a poacher’s snare to Mr. Stubbs the slippery American alligator who needed a new tail are all featured with full color photos and supporting information on those who dedicated their life to helping these special needs animals. Animal loving tweens or those with an interest in science or biology will enjoy reading individual stories or the whole book. Grades 3-7

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction book tells the stories of amazing animals- and the truly wonderful and caring people who helped give them their best lives. In this book, you can read stories of a pig, turtle, llama, goat, alligator, guinea pig and many more animals who need the assistance of prosthetics, wheelchairs, braces, and orthotics to move around the sanctuaries they call home. Two of my favorite stories were about Chris P. Bacon, a pig who's first wheelchair was made of legos, and Mr. Stubbs, an alligator who received a prosthetic tail based on research done through infrared video cameras- just like in the movies. Not only will readers (of all ages) be uplifted by their stories, but the pictures in the book are beautiful and heartwarming. A wonderful book.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great, heart-warming book. This will appeal to all. My 6 yr old grandson loved me telling him about the elephant with the fake foot (got caught in a hunter's trap), the alligator with the fake backend and donor tail, the turtle who lost 3 flippers (and could only navigate in a circle), the paralyzed rabbit with the wheeled cart, and many other animal with injuries that required human intervention to survive. It is amazing what modern science can do. In animal preserves around the US, these animals live out their lives with prosthesis made to order. Fascinating book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Animal lovers will love this!
I do wish the photos showed more up close shots of the actual adaptations - some were unclear and it was difficult to see the prosthesis.
I also enjoyed the last section which highlighted a few of those who create the technological wonders for these lucky animals.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about animals and prothetics!

[Tammy Flanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laura Renick-Butera]

for Goodreads repository
Note: I actually read Animals that Build Things, by Nancy Furstinger, but it's not listed in Goodreads, so I included this one to represent my non-fiction title.

[Ann Singer-Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute read! My 5 yo son and I loved this book

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an engaging book for children and adults, alike. Learning about the use of prosthesis for animals is quite appealing. It seems so often animals are "euthanized" for fixable medical issues, but these animals were lucky enough to find people who worked to increase their quality of lives despite obstacles. I love how so many rescuers, veterinarians, and human doctors worked together with college students to create mobility for limb damaged animals. I had heard about Winter, the dolphin, but this book introduced me to many more amazing and wonderful stories of focus, failure, and ultimately, successful adaptations to allow for full lives after injury or birth defect. Using all the non-fiction text features my teachers prefer for our students, my students can learn about any of the farm, zoo, wild, and pet animals in this book. The glossary addresses the scientific language, though within each section, the narrative text manages to weave definitions beautifully for readers, as well. Captioned full color photographs of the heroes who helped these animals and the animal subjects makes this as wonderful a book to browse as it is to read. I can only imagine that this book will appeal to animal lovers as much as students who learn about how appendages can be crafted in a myriad of ways to help any being adapt to physical challenges. I very much enjoyed the stories here and found myself exploring the website suggestions, as well.

[Jora · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting view into the world of animal bionics, I just don't understand spending 20 installments of $6,000 on an alligator prosthetics. A lot of people wouldn't spend this much money on a beloved pet, so why are we spending so much money on an alligator with serious issues?