QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA 

by Sy Montgomery & photographs by Nic Bishop

Montgomery, Sy and photographs by Nic Bishop. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780618496419.

Summary:

The QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO is a thrilling exploration with Lisa Dabek and a slew of native guides and support crew, into the cloudy forest mountains of Papua New Guinea in search of the elusive Matshie tree kangaroo. The lush and misty domain of the tree kangaroo rests at an elevation of 10,000 feet and seems to be set in the time of dinosaurs. The area is rarely visited by the local people, which allowed it to teem with beautiful and exotic flora and fauna unhindered. Discover how the native people of this region of Papua New Guinea live within this world of beauty and danger through the descriptive narrative of Sy Montgomery and colorfully captivating photography of Nic Bishop. What you learn about the Matshie tree kangaroo will only be a part of the exciting adventure and discovery that will leave you wanting to find out more about this unique teddy-bear like creature.    

Critical Analysis:

The book is written in a very descriptive narrative by author Sy Montgomery who is renowned for her extensive publications in children’s non-fiction and informational literature. Sy Montgomery has published nearly 20 information books about exotic animals for both children and adults over a span of 15 years. The narrative is done by Ms. Montgomery traveling on the expedition herself with photographer Nic Bishop to tell of the actual experiences on the journey. The text is filled with accurate fact about the flora, fauna, and people of the area with emphasis on the science used to document the findings of the scientists. The photographs found throughout the book highlight the textual information and enhance the knowledge gained by the reader.  

The book is well organized with large chapter titles which jump out at the reader in exciting font and easy to read text throughout the book. Vibrant photographs are found from the cover to the back of the book showing the majestic images of the people, land, wildlife, plants and the shy tree kangaroo. Two illustrative maps are found at the beginning of the book to show readers the exact location the adventure is set and some drawings of the exotic creatures found there. The book has many links to sites to obtain further information about the tree kangaroo in the back of the book. A glossary with a few words and phrases used by the native people can also be found at the end of the book. The end section of the book also includes an acknowledgement page, an index, and notes from the author and photographer.

  

The book design and layout is done in such a way that the reader’s eye flows effortlessly from the text to the images which highlight what was read. The narrative is chronological in nature so the sequence of information is clear and concise. The narrative is written to enable the reader to gather general information and introduces them to more specific and complex data, which is stated in easy to understand language. The subtitles and index are very helpful for the reader to find specific information within the text.

The book reveals the author’s sense of adventure and thirst for knowledge of unique and exotic animals. Having written many such narratives in the past, Sy Montgomery documents the expedition in clear and descriptive language. She also uses many words and phrases of the Tok Pisin language that is verbalized by the native people, which was on the expedition and explains their meanings. The reader is also given the pronunciation of many of the exotic animal names that may be unfamiliar to the reader, which enhances the learning process.    

Review Excerpt:

Kirkus Starred Review, “With early references to Dr. Seuss and hobbits, Montgomery connects the world of the young reader to this beautiful, distant place.”

In 2006 QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO received many awards and honors, these included; a Sibert Honor Book, ASPCA Children’s Book Award, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, A Booklist Editor’s Choice Award, NSTA-Council on Children’s Books Outstanding Science Trade Book and John Burroughs Young Reader Award and in 2007 the winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award.

Connections:

Sy Montgomery supplies links to many additional sources of information on her website. One in particular is that of author Dale Peterson who writes books about science and natural history. Some of Mr. Peterson’s recent works include, GIRAFFE REFLECTIONS, ELEPHANT REFLECTIONS, and THE MORAL LIVES OF ANIMALS. All these literary works are non-fiction or informational in nature similar to those of Sy Montgomery and will be excellent additional readings for those who enjoy books similar to the one in this review.

Personal Response:

I really enjoyed reading the book and viewing all the amazing photographs of the people, animals and plants of the Papua New Guinea cloud forest. Each turn of the page displays stunning images that captured my imagination and lured me into the text. I believe that this and other books written by Sy Montgomery could be used to entice reluctant readers into reading for knowledge and entertainment. While learning about the Matshie tree kangaroo I gleaned insight about the people and land of Papua New Guinea and its lush forest and exotic animals.

References:

Junior Library Guild. (2013). QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO cover image. Retrieved from http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/images/0618496416/CoverArt/0618496416_zoom.jpg

Kirkus Reviews (2010). QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO Starred Review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sy-montgomery/quest-for-the-tree-kangaroo/

Montgomery, Sy (n.d.). Symontgomery.com. Retrieved from http://symontgomery.com/

Peterson, Dale (n.d.). Dalepetersonauthor.com. Retrieved from http://www.dalepetersonauthor.com/