Received as a LibraryThing Member Giveaways - This was an awesome kids book! ECO-animal-concerning topics put into a child's perspective. Make sure you read it WITH you kid the first time so you can discuss your perspective with them... this is a great book for broaching this topic, no matter which side you stand on! Vibrant drawings and well written story-telling will keep all age brackets reading! ( )

This was an endearing story about a girl on an adventure. It has a very unique story line and dives into cultural differences. I wasn't happy with the way the story ended, but it was an interesting read. Also, the illustrations are well done and captivating! ( )

I thought this was a wonderful story with wonderful illustrations, but I am mixed about it. I do agree with other reviews on sites that a child running away from home and her problems really isn't a lesson to portray to kids. The style of the illustrations make the children look years younger than they are (I had to look on the website to see they're in their early 10s).

While talking animals are involved, it does give the plight of how wild animals are treated in the circus and how a lot of us see the abuse as more as comedic entertainment than what it really is.

((((spoiler)))) Though one thing that bugged me, is why wasn't an important character at the end of the story saved as soon as the circus cruelty spread out to the news outlets??? It just felt like an incomplete ending for me. (((spoiler))) ( )

Haibu Lost in New York is a cute little tale about a very spirited little girl off to find adventure. Ready to shed the title of "Little," Haibu is ready to take on anything and has to when she finds herself a long, long way from home. With the help of some new friends, Haibu finds herself on a mission of freedom that requires her own personal expertise. She must be brave there are others depending on her, and she can not let them down. Plus, there is always time for an adventure before going home. ( )

I thought this book was unique. Haibu is a little girl from a northern village that finds out she can talk to animals. She gets stranded on ice and floats off to New York and ends up in an orphanage. She meets some other children and then eventually saves some circus animals. Its a very far fetched story but its a story so I think there are definitely elements in it that are unique, fun and enjoyable.
However, right off the bat there was a chapter with a vicious polar bear that might scare some kids. I have a few sensitive kids that thought that part was really harsh or somewhat scary, but the other 2 were able to separate it and know it was more about animals are wild and didn't like being used for clothes.
Overall, it is an adventure story for kids with themes of respecting animals. It is different then other stories we read but it ends somewhat lack luster as well. So it wasn't our favorite book, but it was an ok read one time through. ( )