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Two Days in May
Based on a real-life incident that occurred several years ago in Chicago, Taylor tells the story of a city girl who discovers five deer grazing in the small garden behind her apartment building, and how the deer are brought back to safety in the wild.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 1999
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April 20, 2025
Waking up one May morning, Sonia sees five deer munching on the lettuce she just planted in her small garden outside her apartment building. Far from the rural places where they belong, the deer have wandered into urban Chicago. Soon a crowd gathers to watch these cervine visitors, and when they learn that Animal Control intend to shoot them, Sonia and her neighbors take action to protect the animals until a wildlife rescue organization can arrive...
Published in 1999, Two Days in May is the sixth and second-to-last of author/illustrator Harriet Peck Taylor's seven picture books to be published. It is also the only one of her books she herself did not illustrate. Although an admirer of her artwork, which has been the impetus for me tracking down her books, I decided to seek this one out as well, as the theme appealed to me. I am glad I did, as I found the story itself immensely engaging and the watercolor illustrations from Leyla Torres appealing. The themes here, of humans protecting wildlife and neighbors working together—gaining a better sense of community for themselves as well in the process—are important ones. Apparently this is based on a real story, in which Chicago residents protected a group of deer in this way. I wish there had been a note giving more information about this, but leaving that critique aside, I thought the story here was wonderful, and would lend itself to efforts to educate young people on the humane treatment of animals, and our duty to protect wildlife. The artwork was just lovely, and I appreciated the beautiful diversity of the human figures. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about urban wildlife, wildlife rescue, and community action.
Published in 1999, Two Days in May is the sixth and second-to-last of author/illustrator Harriet Peck Taylor's seven picture books to be published. It is also the only one of her books she herself did not illustrate. Although an admirer of her artwork, which has been the impetus for me tracking down her books, I decided to seek this one out as well, as the theme appealed to me. I am glad I did, as I found the story itself immensely engaging and the watercolor illustrations from Leyla Torres appealing. The themes here, of humans protecting wildlife and neighbors working together—gaining a better sense of community for themselves as well in the process—are important ones. Apparently this is based on a real story, in which Chicago residents protected a group of deer in this way. I wish there had been a note giving more information about this, but leaving that critique aside, I thought the story here was wonderful, and would lend itself to efforts to educate young people on the humane treatment of animals, and our duty to protect wildlife. The artwork was just lovely, and I appreciated the beautiful diversity of the human figures. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about urban wildlife, wildlife rescue, and community action.
Displaying 1 of 1 review