Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team
by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
HarperCollins (May 7, 2019)
Nonfiction * Science * Disasters
Audience: Ages 7 to 10 years
Indiebound | Worldcat
Description of the book: Follow the remarkable true story of eleven-year-old Titan, his teammates, and their soccer coach who went exploring the Tham Luang Caves in Chiang Rai, Thailand, only to become trapped inside by monsoon rains. This nonfiction picture book describes the world-wide teamwork that led to the boys’ daring rescue, written by acclaimed author Susan Hood in collaboration with respected reporter, Pathana Sornhiran, who witnessed the events first-hand.
This picture book marries Susan Hood’s lyrical text with Pathana Sornhiran’s first-hand account reporting of the event and is brought to life by Dow Phumiruk’s beautiful illustrations. It will also include an introduction, a timeline, and extensive back matter with additional resources.
Quick thoughts on the book:
Most of the time when I have read a book about an unusual event or disaster, it is about something that happened so very long ago. In the case of the Thai soccer team and their coach, the dramatic rescue was less than a year ago. I remember seeing posts on social media and the headlines in the papers and being amazed by the efforts of the divers and the many volunteers that worked to rescue the team.
Susan Hood and Pathana Sorhiran share with young readers the 18 day rescue through the use of facts, free verse, the letters of the boys to family members, and quotes. Even though I was familiar with the story and new how it turned out, I still found myself getting a little anxious as it took longer and additional challenges arose in the attempts to rescue the boys.
Dow Phumiruk’s beautiful artwork captured the emotions and provided the visual narration to complete the text.
The end of the book includes extensive back matter including an author’s note, fascinating facts, timeline, sources and websites and also an interview with British Divers Chris Jewell and Jason Mallison.
This is a beautiful, powerful story of bravery and hope and perseverance and teamwork that will capture and engage young readers and stay with them for a long time.
Go Behind the Art….
Look for this book at your local indie bookstore or community library.
About the authors:
Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada’s Violin, Shaking Things Up, and Lifeboat 12. She is the recipient of the 2017 E.B. White Honor Award, the 2017 Christopher Award, the 2017 Américas Award, and the 2017 Bank Street Flora Steiglitz Straus Award, given annually to “a distinguished work of nonfiction which serves as an inspiration to young people.” Visit susanhoodbooks.com.
Pathana Sornhiran was born in Bangkok, Thailand, where she attended the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University with a major in English and French. She later completed her master’s degree in journalism in London, UK and now works as a journalist in Asia, traveling across the region to find and tell stories that matter.
About the illustrator:
Dow Phumiruk was born in Bangkok, Thailand and came to the United States with her family when she was very young. Her mother was a nurse, and her father, a retired Royal Thai Air Force captain. He worked for Thai Airways for many years, which allowed her family many trips back to Thailand when she was younger. Dow currently lives in Colorado with her husband and three daughters. She is an author and illustrator of children’s books and has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators since 2011. Dow is also a general pediatrician who teaches medical students part time. When she is not creating or teaching, she likes to hike the trails near her home. Visit her at artbydow.blogspot.com
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