• Age: 7 to 10
• Grade: 4 to 12

A rare and adorable look at meerkat pups with renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas

This gorgeous look behind the lens at wildlife photography offers a unique chance to enter the fascinating world of meerkats. In this companion title to A Leopard Diary, world-renowned wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas spends two weeks observing baby meerkats in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. In diary entry-style chapters, Eszterhas recounts how the creatures grow from tiny, wobbly meerkat pups to adolescents who hunt scorpions and have (almost) perfected the famous “tripod” meerkat stance. Along the way, the meerkat mob faces floods, hungry predators, and even a stampede of galloping zebras!

Eszterhas’s narrative is accompanied by her stunningly intimate photographs of the meerkats at every stage of their lives. Throughout the book, she also incorporates facts about other animals that call the desert home and introduces readers to the local Ju/’hoansi people, who have lived in the desert for thousands of years. Her respect for the land and the people who care for it will encourage readers to approach wildlife with wonder and empathy.

A portion of the royalties from this book will go to the Wildlife Conservation Network, which works with local conservationist organizations to protect endangered wildlife in Africa and throughout the world.

SUZI ESZTERHAS is an award-winning wildlife photographer who is passionate about helping wildlife and has even participated firsthand in the rescue of several animals! Her photographs have been published in over 100 magazine cover and feature stories in publications around the world, including National Geographic Kids, Ranger Rick, and TIME. When not in the field, she lives in Petaluma, California.

Suzi Eszterhas' profile page

• Commended, Junior Library Guild Selection
• Runner-up, Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Award (Honourable Mention)

"Filled with excellent animated photos ... Who wouldn’t be charmed by these lively, appealing critters."

Canadian Review of Materials

"This will be pored over by browsers and popular for reports; in short, it’s a must for libraries."

Booklist – STARRED REVIEW

"[Eszterhas] expertly weaves information about the species and their surroundings into this fascinating account of her work as a naturalist-observer. An exceptional introduction to the young animal world."

Kirkus Reviews - STARRED REVIEW

"The narrative skillfully weaves in animal facts, humor, and high drama ... A fascinating and well-told look at a little-known African animal. Recommended."

School Library Journal

"A great resource for young readers who are interested in animals and nature ... Informative, engaging, and accessible."

Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database