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Once upon a Camel
“A delight to the senses.� (
Kirkus Reviews)
Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan , this exquisite middle grade novel from Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt follows a creaky old camel out to save two baby kestrel chicks during a massive storm in the Texas desert.
Zada is a camel with a treasure trove of stories to tell. She’s won camel races for the royal Pasha of Smyrna, crossed treacherous oceans to new land, led army missions with her best camel friend by her side, and outsmarted a far too pompous mountain lion.
But those stories were from before. Now, Zada wanders the desert as the last camel in Texas. She’s not, however, alone. Two tiny kestrel chicks are nestled in the fluff of fur between her ears - kee-killy-keeing for their missing parents - and a dust storm the size of a mountain is taking Zada on one more grand adventure. And it could lead to this achy old camel’s most brilliant story yet.
Perfect for fans of The One and Only Ivan , this exquisite middle grade novel from Newbery Honoree and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt follows a creaky old camel out to save two baby kestrel chicks during a massive storm in the Texas desert.
Zada is a camel with a treasure trove of stories to tell. She’s won camel races for the royal Pasha of Smyrna, crossed treacherous oceans to new land, led army missions with her best camel friend by her side, and outsmarted a far too pompous mountain lion.
But those stories were from before. Now, Zada wanders the desert as the last camel in Texas. She’s not, however, alone. Two tiny kestrel chicks are nestled in the fluff of fur between her ears - kee-killy-keeing for their missing parents - and a dust storm the size of a mountain is taking Zada on one more grand adventure. And it could lead to this achy old camel’s most brilliant story yet.
Audible Audio
Published September 7, 2021
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About the author
Kathi Appelt
53books545followersLives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
Two sons, both musicians.
Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
January 15, 2022
En parlak yildiz ol~A Turkish phrase = Be the brightest star
In the middle of the dust storm (haboob) the stars in the sky are not visible, but Zada shines in her loving care for the little kestrels who needed to be rescued from the cottonwood tree. Little Beulah and Wims have been separated from parents Pard and Perlita. While taking shelter in a mountain lion's lair, Zada tells the little chicks tales of her adventures with best friend Asiye. There are camel races, rough seas, gold rush work, and so much more to tell about from Zada's five decades on earth. What will happen when Pecos de Leon comes back to claim his space? How will Zada find water for her little charges -- and herself? Where are Pard and Perlita? Never fear, reader, there is a happy ending ahead. Eric Rohmann's illustrations will charm you. Based on research the Kathi Appelt did after hearing her grandfather tell stories about wild camels in the state of Texas, this tale will thrill you with its exotic flair.
In the middle of the dust storm (haboob) the stars in the sky are not visible, but Zada shines in her loving care for the little kestrels who needed to be rescued from the cottonwood tree. Little Beulah and Wims have been separated from parents Pard and Perlita. While taking shelter in a mountain lion's lair, Zada tells the little chicks tales of her adventures with best friend Asiye. There are camel races, rough seas, gold rush work, and so much more to tell about from Zada's five decades on earth. What will happen when Pecos de Leon comes back to claim his space? How will Zada find water for her little charges -- and herself? Where are Pard and Perlita? Never fear, reader, there is a happy ending ahead. Eric Rohmann's illustrations will charm you. Based on research the Kathi Appelt did after hearing her grandfather tell stories about wild camels in the state of Texas, this tale will thrill you with its exotic flair.
August 18, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up
This is a story about stories. About the power of stories to save lives and to make life better. It's about a camel named Zada, and her American Kestral friends Perdita and Pard, and their babies Beulah and Wims, aka Auntie Zada's niece and nephew. It's about a major dust storm that separates the parents from Auntie Zada and the babies and her quest to keep them safe and reunite them with their parents. And it's about the history of camels in the United States from just before the Civil War to just after the turn of the century (1910). I loved how Zada used stories to distract the babies as well as to keep them safe and how we learned about her history and how she came to be in the middle of the Texas desert. This was a great way of informing the readers about this history and building up our connection to the main characters (even Pecos de Leon) so that by the end of the book, it would not be unusual to be shedding tears of happiness for the characters. This is a wonderful book that I think would be even better being read out loud, either by parents or teachers or in an audio narration (I will have to look for the audiobook when it is released), because after all, this is a book about stories being able to inform, heal, and change the course of something. This would be a great book for a school or classroom library. I am so glad this book caught my eye.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a story about stories. About the power of stories to save lives and to make life better. It's about a camel named Zada, and her American Kestral friends Perdita and Pard, and their babies Beulah and Wims, aka Auntie Zada's niece and nephew. It's about a major dust storm that separates the parents from Auntie Zada and the babies and her quest to keep them safe and reunite them with their parents. And it's about the history of camels in the United States from just before the Civil War to just after the turn of the century (1910). I loved how Zada used stories to distract the babies as well as to keep them safe and how we learned about her history and how she came to be in the middle of the Texas desert. This was a great way of informing the readers about this history and building up our connection to the main characters (even Pecos de Leon) so that by the end of the book, it would not be unusual to be shedding tears of happiness for the characters. This is a wonderful book that I think would be even better being read out loud, either by parents or teachers or in an audio narration (I will have to look for the audiobook when it is released), because after all, this is a book about stories being able to inform, heal, and change the course of something. This would be a great book for a school or classroom library. I am so glad this book caught my eye.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 12, 2021
In all of Kathi Appelt’s books, what I have found that I adore the most is her ability to craft voice. She is brilliant. In this book, Zada the camel’s voice rings throughout with patience and determination. I was calmed by her stories of her upbringing as she works to keep the baby kestrels� minds off of their parents. I think part of Appelt’s magic to craft voice is through her very specific word choice in all instances. Her descriptive words are so precise, and she is never deterred to use a word that may be challenging if it is the correct word. This leads to such lyrical prose–it is a pleasure to read!
There is also so much to learn throughout this story about stories: weather events (haboobs), animals of West Texas (kesterels, mountain lions, hawks, and more), and the history of camels. I found myself going on research tangents as I was introduced to different animals or different adventures that Zada goes on. It is no wonder that the Reading Group Guide is so extensive–there is so much to delve into!
Full review with teaching tools:
There is also so much to learn throughout this story about stories: weather events (haboobs), animals of West Texas (kesterels, mountain lions, hawks, and more), and the history of camels. I found myself going on research tangents as I was introduced to different animals or different adventures that Zada goes on. It is no wonder that the Reading Group Guide is so extensive–there is so much to delve into!
Full review with teaching tools:
February 25, 2022
Zada is a camel with two kestrels that are her friends. When a sandstorm blows through West Texas, Zada has to help her friends and their two chicks get to safety. The parents get swept away in the wind, so Zada is left to fend for herself guarding the two chicks.
As Zada makes her way to The Mission, we learn her origins through stories she tells the two chicks to comfort them during this scary time. We travel to Syria and then to Texas.
Appelt always creates animal characters with rich histories and determination. Another hit!
As Zada makes her way to The Mission, we learn her origins through stories she tells the two chicks to comfort them during this scary time. We travel to Syria and then to Texas.
Appelt always creates animal characters with rich histories and determination. Another hit!
September 28, 2021
What an enticing tale to encourage young readers. I think this is a book my great-niece would enjoy with the characters, history, and the stories within the story.
This adventure follows Zada, a camel that has made her way to Texas from the middle east. We learn about Zada's life growing up in Smyrna and what happened to her once she arrived in Texas and how she came to be in Texas. This is all told through stories to two Kestrel chicks that have been separated from their parents during a haboob or windstorm. Haboobs aren't common to Texas so we would call it something else but that brings in a new word for the reader. As Zada and the chicks take shelter in a cave, she has to worry if the mountain lion will be there and decide to attack or if they will be able to ride out the storm in peace. Thankfully, it is the former, but this is when the stories really begin and there is even a story that involves the lion that Zada wisely saves for when it is needed to protect them.
The two Kestrel chicks are a hoot and are constantly bugging each other and it reminds me of any family with children that complain about someone touching them, or crossing a line, or just basically bugging their sibling. However, Zada is able to bring calm and peace to the situation with her stories and keep the chicks safe while entertaining them so they don't get into trouble.
Each story is magical and I loved the illustrations that accompany the book. I appreciated the dates at the beginning of each chapter so I knew if this was Zada's past or more of her present.
This is not only an entertaining book but one that is educational as well. I learned things about camels, weather, birds (especially Kestrels), history, and so much more. I really enjoy it when a story incorporates history in a fun way that you don't realize you are learning something new.
We give this book 5 paws up.
This adventure follows Zada, a camel that has made her way to Texas from the middle east. We learn about Zada's life growing up in Smyrna and what happened to her once she arrived in Texas and how she came to be in Texas. This is all told through stories to two Kestrel chicks that have been separated from their parents during a haboob or windstorm. Haboobs aren't common to Texas so we would call it something else but that brings in a new word for the reader. As Zada and the chicks take shelter in a cave, she has to worry if the mountain lion will be there and decide to attack or if they will be able to ride out the storm in peace. Thankfully, it is the former, but this is when the stories really begin and there is even a story that involves the lion that Zada wisely saves for when it is needed to protect them.
The two Kestrel chicks are a hoot and are constantly bugging each other and it reminds me of any family with children that complain about someone touching them, or crossing a line, or just basically bugging their sibling. However, Zada is able to bring calm and peace to the situation with her stories and keep the chicks safe while entertaining them so they don't get into trouble.
Each story is magical and I loved the illustrations that accompany the book. I appreciated the dates at the beginning of each chapter so I knew if this was Zada's past or more of her present.
This is not only an entertaining book but one that is educational as well. I learned things about camels, weather, birds (especially Kestrels), history, and so much more. I really enjoy it when a story incorporates history in a fun way that you don't realize you are learning something new.
We give this book 5 paws up.
July 27, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
Such a wonderful, sweet story told totally from animals POV! I am a huge fan of this author. Students will enjoy this one. Recommend for fans of One and Only Ivan.
Such a wonderful, sweet story told totally from animals POV! I am a huge fan of this author. Students will enjoy this one. Recommend for fans of One and Only Ivan.
February 28, 2022
Wonderful!
October 30, 2024
No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally � and often far more � worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.
C.S. Lewis
This books is beautifully written. It is about friendship, stories, a little bit of Texas and world history, and hope. I fell in love with Zada, the camel and her kestrel friends. Worth reading as a child or adult.
C.S. Lewis
This books is beautifully written. It is about friendship, stories, a little bit of Texas and world history, and hope. I fell in love with Zada, the camel and her kestrel friends. Worth reading as a child or adult.
January 10, 2022
First sentence: "Incoming!" Even in her sleep, Zada recognized that voice. The old camel raised one eyelid. It was still dark.
Premise/plot: Once Upon a Camel is Kathi Appelt's newest animal fantasy. It is set in Texas circa 1910 (though it has flashbacks dating from the 1850s) and stars a camel, Zada, and a family of kestrels. A sand storm is coming--and fast--and all are in danger. It is ultimately up to 'Auntie' Zada (and her stories) to save the lives of the chicks Wims and Beulah. These two are left in her care--atop her head to be precise--when their parents Perlita and Pard are blown away or caught up in the storm. Can she keep them safe? Will they make it to the mission? (their prearranged meeting spot after the storm) Will everyone survive?
My thoughts: Once Upon a Camel is animal fantasy with a historical setting that very much celebrates stories and the idea of linking stories and survival. Zada's stories--selectively covering her past--give her the mental/emotional/spiritual boost she needs to keep going, keep hoping, keep it together. And the chicks, well, they love Zada's stories. The stories are both entertainment, distraction, and love language.
I was a little nervous about this one so I had my mom read it first. I don't handle SAD well. She highly recommended that I read this one. I'm so glad I did. I definitely found it a captivating story. Though I don't consider myself a 'bird person' I soon got caught up in the story. I was hoping that all would be well and that Wims and Beulah would be reunited with their parents.
The ending was GOOD.
Premise/plot: Once Upon a Camel is Kathi Appelt's newest animal fantasy. It is set in Texas circa 1910 (though it has flashbacks dating from the 1850s) and stars a camel, Zada, and a family of kestrels. A sand storm is coming--and fast--and all are in danger. It is ultimately up to 'Auntie' Zada (and her stories) to save the lives of the chicks Wims and Beulah. These two are left in her care--atop her head to be precise--when their parents Perlita and Pard are blown away or caught up in the storm. Can she keep them safe? Will they make it to the mission? (their prearranged meeting spot after the storm) Will everyone survive?
My thoughts: Once Upon a Camel is animal fantasy with a historical setting that very much celebrates stories and the idea of linking stories and survival. Zada's stories--selectively covering her past--give her the mental/emotional/spiritual boost she needs to keep going, keep hoping, keep it together. And the chicks, well, they love Zada's stories. The stories are both entertainment, distraction, and love language.
I was a little nervous about this one so I had my mom read it first. I don't handle SAD well. She highly recommended that I read this one. I'm so glad I did. I definitely found it a captivating story. Though I don't consider myself a 'bird person' I soon got caught up in the story. I was hoping that all would be well and that Wims and Beulah would be reunited with their parents.
The ending was GOOD.
August 16, 2021
Zada is a keeper! A valuable asset to her owners, she is a racer, a special kind of camel, and with her friends catches the eye of US War Department. When Jefferson Davis helps the US Army come up with a big idea for building a camel population to solve transportation issues in the West, Zada and many other camels are recruited into a whole new life. They travel from Smyrna all the way to Texas, and she has stories to tell about all of it.
Reading this book with my kids reading group was a joy. We learned about haboobs (weather events), camels, kestrels, mountain lions and other animals of the US western desert lands and more about the importing of camels to the US. My Granny mentioned camels had been seen in her home state of Texas, and that her father, a wagon freighter who travelled between West Texas and Fort Tejon, saw them on his travels through the country.
A wide ranging book that successfully tells many tales well. . . .we recommend it!
Thank you to Kathi Appelt, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley.
Pub date: 07 Sep 2021
Reading this book with my kids reading group was a joy. We learned about haboobs (weather events), camels, kestrels, mountain lions and other animals of the US western desert lands and more about the importing of camels to the US. My Granny mentioned camels had been seen in her home state of Texas, and that her father, a wagon freighter who travelled between West Texas and Fort Tejon, saw them on his travels through the country.
A wide ranging book that successfully tells many tales well. . . .we recommend it!
Thank you to Kathi Appelt, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley.
Pub date: 07 Sep 2021
September 3, 2021
Read for mock Newberry: No medal, in my opinion
Did not work for me, partly because it was on audio and the baby birds were super annoying! The flashback chapters felt stilted and jarring. I did not form connections to the characters.
Did not work for me, partly because it was on audio and the baby birds were super annoying! The flashback chapters felt stilted and jarring. I did not form connections to the characters.
October 8, 2021
"Sometimes, it seems, the storyteller needs the story as much as the listeners, and after all, there was so much more to tell."
Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt is a sweet tale—set in the Chisos Mountains in West Texas in 1910—about Zada the camel protecting a couple of kestrel chicks during a huge dust storm or haboob. Zada sooths Beulah’s and Wims’s fear and sorrow at the disappearance of their parents by telling them several tales, including from her childhood in Smyrna, Turkey, with her best friend, Asiye, and Teodor, their keeper and the Pasha’s cameleer. Teodor’s job is to prepare the camels for the Pasha’s elite racing team, and Zada has many memories of that special time in her life.
The targeted audience for this delightful story is middle grade, but everyone can find pleasure in this simple yet poignant story about trust, responsibility, courage, and friendship. As an embedded narrative or story-within-a-story, Once Upon a Camel shows some similarities to Arabian Nights and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Just as in those classic tales, Zada must tell her stories to achieve a purpose. In this case, she must distract and amuse her charges while protecting them from the dust storm and the mountain lion whose lair—empty at the moment, thank goodness—they duck into to wait out the storm.
The prose is a unique combination of fairy tale, juvenile fiction, and thrilling adventure, and young readers and adult readers alike will be quickly drawn into Zada's story and embedded stories and her smart way of keeping the kestrel chicks safe. Will the kestrel parents Pard and Perlita ever be reunited with their wee offspring? Can Zada fulfill her promise to get Beulah and Wims to safety? Will the haboob ever abate and stop its dusty, deadly destruction? Will Zada lose her patience with the birdy sibling’s bickering? How and why did Zada travel from Turkey to Texas? Diving into Once Upon a Camel will reveal all the answers and more and provide a significant level of amusement and distraction.
Once Upon a Camel is a great example of Kathi Appelt’s wide range of storytelling skills. Truly, all her books are worth exploring, no matter your age or story preference, because Kathi delivers pure entertainment, again and again. Zada and the other characters in Once Upon a Camel will certainly charm and maybe even make you ponder the timeless value of friendship, true love, memories, and promises kept.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt is a sweet tale—set in the Chisos Mountains in West Texas in 1910—about Zada the camel protecting a couple of kestrel chicks during a huge dust storm or haboob. Zada sooths Beulah’s and Wims’s fear and sorrow at the disappearance of their parents by telling them several tales, including from her childhood in Smyrna, Turkey, with her best friend, Asiye, and Teodor, their keeper and the Pasha’s cameleer. Teodor’s job is to prepare the camels for the Pasha’s elite racing team, and Zada has many memories of that special time in her life.
The targeted audience for this delightful story is middle grade, but everyone can find pleasure in this simple yet poignant story about trust, responsibility, courage, and friendship. As an embedded narrative or story-within-a-story, Once Upon a Camel shows some similarities to Arabian Nights and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Just as in those classic tales, Zada must tell her stories to achieve a purpose. In this case, she must distract and amuse her charges while protecting them from the dust storm and the mountain lion whose lair—empty at the moment, thank goodness—they duck into to wait out the storm.
The prose is a unique combination of fairy tale, juvenile fiction, and thrilling adventure, and young readers and adult readers alike will be quickly drawn into Zada's story and embedded stories and her smart way of keeping the kestrel chicks safe. Will the kestrel parents Pard and Perlita ever be reunited with their wee offspring? Can Zada fulfill her promise to get Beulah and Wims to safety? Will the haboob ever abate and stop its dusty, deadly destruction? Will Zada lose her patience with the birdy sibling’s bickering? How and why did Zada travel from Turkey to Texas? Diving into Once Upon a Camel will reveal all the answers and more and provide a significant level of amusement and distraction.
Once Upon a Camel is a great example of Kathi Appelt’s wide range of storytelling skills. Truly, all her books are worth exploring, no matter your age or story preference, because Kathi delivers pure entertainment, again and again. Zada and the other characters in Once Upon a Camel will certainly charm and maybe even make you ponder the timeless value of friendship, true love, memories, and promises kept.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2021
“Stories, my birditos, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are long. Some are short. Some make us smile and other make us…well…a little weepy. And then there are stories that leave us with an open-ended question�..�
Once Upon a Camel is a story that swiftly became endearing to my heart for specific reasons. One is how Kathi Appelt wove the story of Zada, a camel from Turkey, and two young American kestrels into a story based on historical facts of the US Army bringing camels to Texas in the mid-1800s. Appelt weaves historical camel facts with impeccable fiction.
I first heard about the U.S. Army camels and their historical story around 2006 when I was working trying to save a Texas historical ranch. Then I got to meet some real camels living in Texas.
Two, this story is a story of stories. Once Upon a Camel is a story about Zada and her life in Turkey and the United States. It is also a story of how Zada saves two baby American kestrels from a severe sandstorm and all the perils entailed with that feat.
This book is geared towards children but even adults will also enjoy this gem of a book. Yes � there are some big words in this book for kids and thankfully Kathi offers a glossary at the end.
Once Upon a Camel is a story that I love and highly recommend it for children because it weaves historical facts into an imaginary tale about a camel saving baby birds.
“From their very beginnings, they have slept beneath the stars. They’ve seen the Pleiades scatter their meteors across the desert floor. They’ve watched comets come streaking overhead, tails blazing. They’ve fallen asleep to the songs of star-bears, their lullabies soft in their ears.�
Kathi saved the best for the very last� we all have stories to tell to help us make sense of this crazy world and we need to share them. Thank you, Kathi, for sharing Zada’s story.
A particular shout-out to illustrator Eric Rohmann on all the drawings for this book. Artistically they enhanced this story with perfection that carried the words and emotions of the story even further.
Once Upon a Camel is a story that swiftly became endearing to my heart for specific reasons. One is how Kathi Appelt wove the story of Zada, a camel from Turkey, and two young American kestrels into a story based on historical facts of the US Army bringing camels to Texas in the mid-1800s. Appelt weaves historical camel facts with impeccable fiction.
I first heard about the U.S. Army camels and their historical story around 2006 when I was working trying to save a Texas historical ranch. Then I got to meet some real camels living in Texas.
Two, this story is a story of stories. Once Upon a Camel is a story about Zada and her life in Turkey and the United States. It is also a story of how Zada saves two baby American kestrels from a severe sandstorm and all the perils entailed with that feat.
This book is geared towards children but even adults will also enjoy this gem of a book. Yes � there are some big words in this book for kids and thankfully Kathi offers a glossary at the end.
Once Upon a Camel is a story that I love and highly recommend it for children because it weaves historical facts into an imaginary tale about a camel saving baby birds.
“From their very beginnings, they have slept beneath the stars. They’ve seen the Pleiades scatter their meteors across the desert floor. They’ve watched comets come streaking overhead, tails blazing. They’ve fallen asleep to the songs of star-bears, their lullabies soft in their ears.�
Kathi saved the best for the very last� we all have stories to tell to help us make sense of this crazy world and we need to share them. Thank you, Kathi, for sharing Zada’s story.
A particular shout-out to illustrator Eric Rohmann on all the drawings for this book. Artistically they enhanced this story with perfection that carried the words and emotions of the story even further.
July 10, 2022
One of the most joyful stories I’ve read in a long time. If you can, read it on a device like an iPad or Kindle so you can easily pause and look things up as you read (not that you need to look anything up to enjoy the story, but it can add a whole level of enrichment). For example, the 1st thing I looked up was “Camels in Texas� and I found a fascinating Smithsonian article about the real camels that inspired the story. I also looked up pictures of some unfamiliar animals that were mentioned including…grosbeak, yellow-breasted chat, painted bunting, bactrain, camelop� I looked up weather terms (haboob is the kind of dust storm that has a well-defined dust front that looks more like a mountain than a dust cloud), simoon, samiel. I looked up Smyrna, Turkey because I’m not as good at geography as I should be.
October 15, 2022
Imo, Appelt is uneven. Maybe it's just that she had different styles for different audiences, but anyway... this is an example of the kind of work that she can do that is just lovely. And fun, too! I would have loved this as a child, with the taste of an interesting part of history, and the vocabulary words, and the text that has a rhythm akin to a camel caravan on the march.
September 6, 2021
A nice new middle-grade read-aloud featuring Zada who may be the last camel in Texas. After a sudden windstorm disrupts her and her friends' lives, she must be caretaker to two baby birds as they look for the parents, avoid a mountain lion, and find a new home. She shares details of her life which began in Turkey and with a herd of others camels including her best friend, Asiye. It's a wonderful example of how stories can get us through difficult times.
August 31, 2021
What a fabulous escape it is to spend time lost in these pages with Zada and her stories. Appelt weaves a wonderful set of tales within tales that will not only educate but will also captivate readers. She voices Zada as a contemporary-sounding character, which will appeal to the intended audience and elicit chuckles from readers of all ages. Lyrical, magical, and whimsical, ONCE UPON A CAMEL is not to be missed.
Coming to late September, 2021.
Coming to late September, 2021.
September 20, 2021
The story is set in Texas in the middle of a West Texas dust storm? Zada is a seasoned camel with many stories to tell from her adventurous life. It’s 1910, and she has become care giver to two baby kestrels named Wims and Beulah. The baby kestrels parents vanished in a vicious dust storm. They find shelter in an empty mountain lion’s cave, Zada plan is to get the chicks to the safe meeting place chosen by their parents just before a dust devil snatched them away.
The fledglings learn that Zada was raised by a Turkish pasha and gifted with eight other prized racing camels to the U.S. Army in 1856, ending up in Texas (events inspired by actual history).
This is excellent writing and a unique storyline. It did not capture this reader.
DNF
Fiction. 8-12
Read
July 8, 2021Sob! This was just so lovely.
September 30, 2021
Once Upon a Camel is a story about life, and learning, and change, and finding family where you are. The story is told from the viewpoint of Zada, a camel who started her life as one of the Pasha’s camels in Smyrna, Turkey, in 1850. She was raised as a racing camel. Zada is now in her later years, and she is no longer in Turkey, but is (as far as she knows) the last camel in Texas. She came to Texas as part of a group of camels that would be used to transport supplies for the U.S. military.
The rest of the camels, including Zada’s best friend, Asiye, are long gone. Zada has formed new friendships with a pair of kestrels, Perdita and Pard. When a haboob (what Zada knows it as � we’d call it a sandstorm) comes blowing in, Perdita and Pard ask for Zada’s help in getting their babies, Wims and Beulah, to safety. Thus begins a tale of adventure!
Zada gets the little birds settled snugly atop her head, but as they set out for a place of safety, the storm blows Perdita and Pard away! Zada is faced with the rather daunting task of protecting her young charges from the wind and sand, from an old frenemy, and even from each other. She does so with patience and good humor, and as she works to help the little birds stay calm, we learn the story of Zada’s life.
I had no idea there were camels in Texas! My history nerd husband, of course, knew exactly what I was talking about when I told him about the book. I love books that are fun to read and that educate at the same time, and this one does both admirably. Wims and Beulah are just about the cutest little baby birds ever, and they bicker and squabble just as you’d expect siblings to do, even when there’s danger lurking nearby. Their interactions are so humorous, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Zada isn’t like a surrogate mother to the baby birds. She’s more like a grandmother figure, who’s gained wisdom through her life and is now figuring out how to pass that on to her unruly charges. She’s patient, she doesn’t let Wims and Beulah see her lose her cool even when she’s not quite sure how things are going to work out, she perseveres to get them to safety.
The artwork complements the story nicely. There isn’t much of it, but what there is is wonderfully done. And I’m not going to spoil the ending, but it made me smile (and even tear up a little) to see how Appelt wove all the threads together.
So much fun to read! This will be a great book for younger middle readers. The age range given on Amazon is 8-12 years, but it may be a little on the young side for some 12-year-olds. My younger son is a very precocious 12, and he wasn’t the least bit interested in the story. His loss. I loved it. (And when he was 8 or 9, he would have loved it, too!)
Five humps � I mean, stars � for Once Upon a Camel!
The rest of the camels, including Zada’s best friend, Asiye, are long gone. Zada has formed new friendships with a pair of kestrels, Perdita and Pard. When a haboob (what Zada knows it as � we’d call it a sandstorm) comes blowing in, Perdita and Pard ask for Zada’s help in getting their babies, Wims and Beulah, to safety. Thus begins a tale of adventure!
Zada gets the little birds settled snugly atop her head, but as they set out for a place of safety, the storm blows Perdita and Pard away! Zada is faced with the rather daunting task of protecting her young charges from the wind and sand, from an old frenemy, and even from each other. She does so with patience and good humor, and as she works to help the little birds stay calm, we learn the story of Zada’s life.
I had no idea there were camels in Texas! My history nerd husband, of course, knew exactly what I was talking about when I told him about the book. I love books that are fun to read and that educate at the same time, and this one does both admirably. Wims and Beulah are just about the cutest little baby birds ever, and they bicker and squabble just as you’d expect siblings to do, even when there’s danger lurking nearby. Their interactions are so humorous, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Zada isn’t like a surrogate mother to the baby birds. She’s more like a grandmother figure, who’s gained wisdom through her life and is now figuring out how to pass that on to her unruly charges. She’s patient, she doesn’t let Wims and Beulah see her lose her cool even when she’s not quite sure how things are going to work out, she perseveres to get them to safety.
The artwork complements the story nicely. There isn’t much of it, but what there is is wonderfully done. And I’m not going to spoil the ending, but it made me smile (and even tear up a little) to see how Appelt wove all the threads together.
So much fun to read! This will be a great book for younger middle readers. The age range given on Amazon is 8-12 years, but it may be a little on the young side for some 12-year-olds. My younger son is a very precocious 12, and he wasn’t the least bit interested in the story. His loss. I loved it. (And when he was 8 or 9, he would have loved it, too!)
Five humps � I mean, stars � for Once Upon a Camel!
October 8, 2021
Okay. I’ll admit it. I’m a real sap when it comes to stories that personify animals, but in all the years I’ve not met one quite as charming as Zada, and I never thought I would find a camel charming.
Just saying. Horses. Dogs. Cats. They are all delightful in their own ways, but oh, this girl named Zada won my heart.
The structure of the story was smooth, going from present time to the past. The drama never faltered as we were with Zada and the chicks, racing to beat the danger of the horrible wind that could blow those little passengers to kingdom come, for a little while before jumping back in time to the history of how Zada and her camel friends were brought to the United States. Learning that history was an added bonus for me, and I’m sure it will be for other readers. An introduction to some words and phrases in other languages was interesting, too.
And you can say what you want about camels, dirty, stinky beasts that they are, but I dare you not to fall in love with Zada. Go ahead. Get the book and see what I mean.
The relationships between characters in the story are precious, especially with Zada and the chicks who worry so about the bird parents and what dangers they might face before finding safety from the storm. I also love the tenacity of Perlita, the mother bird who fought her own battle to make it back and reunite the family. Family, be it human, animal, or fowl, is held together most of the time by the strength of the mother. Since Perlita is not there to help her chicks in the beginning of the story, Zada steps in as a perfect substitute, even though she wonders how on earth to keep the chicks safe.
You don’t have to be a young kid to enjoy this book. The kid in us all needs a fun read like this at times, and the illustrations are wonderful works of art.
Just saying. Horses. Dogs. Cats. They are all delightful in their own ways, but oh, this girl named Zada won my heart.
The structure of the story was smooth, going from present time to the past. The drama never faltered as we were with Zada and the chicks, racing to beat the danger of the horrible wind that could blow those little passengers to kingdom come, for a little while before jumping back in time to the history of how Zada and her camel friends were brought to the United States. Learning that history was an added bonus for me, and I’m sure it will be for other readers. An introduction to some words and phrases in other languages was interesting, too.
And you can say what you want about camels, dirty, stinky beasts that they are, but I dare you not to fall in love with Zada. Go ahead. Get the book and see what I mean.
The relationships between characters in the story are precious, especially with Zada and the chicks who worry so about the bird parents and what dangers they might face before finding safety from the storm. I also love the tenacity of Perlita, the mother bird who fought her own battle to make it back and reunite the family. Family, be it human, animal, or fowl, is held together most of the time by the strength of the mother. Since Perlita is not there to help her chicks in the beginning of the story, Zada steps in as a perfect substitute, even though she wonders how on earth to keep the chicks safe.
You don’t have to be a young kid to enjoy this book. The kid in us all needs a fun read like this at times, and the illustrations are wonderful works of art.
October 3, 2021
Once Upon a Camel by Kathi Appelt is a heartfelt story with beautiful illustrations by Eric Rohmann. It is a delightful mix of prose and adorable puns, as well as a tale of adventure and true-blue friendship. What could have easily just been the journey of a camel traversing a Texas desert with two baby birds on her head, Appelt has painted a lush tale of immigration from Turkey to West Texas. She envelopes the reader’s every sense in her description of the sights, sounds, and smells of each location.
Appelt also deftly slips in educational tidbits quite effortlessly (i.e., historical facts, the evolution of a species, etc.) without being distracting. There are even links in the back of the book for anyone who wants to learn more about camels and West Texas. While I didn’t need it personally, I appreciate that she also placed a glossary in the back of the book to define the Turkish, Latin, and French phrases used throughout. I feel that Appelt does an excellent job of providing context clues so that young readers can surmise the definition of an unfamiliar word or phrase. She provides a fun way for children to practice the various reading skills that are taught in school.
This book is targeted towards children in grades 3-7, but I think that it could even be used in the upper grade levels because of how much substance resides within the pages. I hope that I don’t ruin the story for anyone, but I feel like it is a commentary on issues such as identity, gender roles, prejudice, self-esteem, class systems, and I’m sure that I’m missing many more. I would also definitely recommend that this book be included in children’s literature courses at the college level.
Appelt also deftly slips in educational tidbits quite effortlessly (i.e., historical facts, the evolution of a species, etc.) without being distracting. There are even links in the back of the book for anyone who wants to learn more about camels and West Texas. While I didn’t need it personally, I appreciate that she also placed a glossary in the back of the book to define the Turkish, Latin, and French phrases used throughout. I feel that Appelt does an excellent job of providing context clues so that young readers can surmise the definition of an unfamiliar word or phrase. She provides a fun way for children to practice the various reading skills that are taught in school.
This book is targeted towards children in grades 3-7, but I think that it could even be used in the upper grade levels because of how much substance resides within the pages. I hope that I don’t ruin the story for anyone, but I feel like it is a commentary on issues such as identity, gender roles, prejudice, self-esteem, class systems, and I’m sure that I’m missing many more. I would also definitely recommend that this book be included in children’s literature courses at the college level.
June 19, 2021
Storytelling has been used throughout the ages to bring inner satisfaction to the storyteller and enjoyment to the listener! Once Upon a Camel begins as a huge dust storm blows across West Texas in the 1910s. A camel, left to tend to two baby chicks, battles the storm as the parent sparrow hawks are carried away with the wind. The camel, the chicks, and their blown-away parents agree to reunite at the Mission. Why, the Mission? The camel's storytelling will answer this question.
The old camel becomes known as Aunt Zada to the little birds. As one might guess, the birds begin to bicker, fuss, and cause a ruckus � giving the camel great grief! Zada comes up with an idea to tell stories to the birds! Her stories are based on her early years as a race horse in Smyra and as an immigrant to America in the 1850s. Zada’s stories help her to relax as much as to calm the chicks! Zada fondly recalls the Mission from her early years in America. Thus, this is where her storytelling and present-day journey is headed during the storm.
Appelt has researched the 1850s - 1910s period and includes a wealth of information in this story, describing this historical time and comparing the dessert life in Asia and America at this time � its symphony of sounds, its plants and animals, its geographical locations, its weather, and more! The illustrations in the book, by Eric Rohmann, give a glimpse of hope in this haboob of a storm! He brings the characters to life and portrays joy in a storm against all odds.
Take a trek with Zada and her two chicks across the rough American dessert terrain. You will feel as though the mountains surrounding the dessert are moving in on you. Think, alongside of them, how can you escape this storm. Listen to Zada’s stories of wonder, and you may come away with a wealth of your own stories! There is a lot of problem solving in the book! Readers will need to think-think-think!
Author, Kathi Appelt, encourages readers to share their stories. She says storytelling helps in a world that is crazy and full of dust!
The old camel becomes known as Aunt Zada to the little birds. As one might guess, the birds begin to bicker, fuss, and cause a ruckus � giving the camel great grief! Zada comes up with an idea to tell stories to the birds! Her stories are based on her early years as a race horse in Smyra and as an immigrant to America in the 1850s. Zada’s stories help her to relax as much as to calm the chicks! Zada fondly recalls the Mission from her early years in America. Thus, this is where her storytelling and present-day journey is headed during the storm.
Appelt has researched the 1850s - 1910s period and includes a wealth of information in this story, describing this historical time and comparing the dessert life in Asia and America at this time � its symphony of sounds, its plants and animals, its geographical locations, its weather, and more! The illustrations in the book, by Eric Rohmann, give a glimpse of hope in this haboob of a storm! He brings the characters to life and portrays joy in a storm against all odds.
Take a trek with Zada and her two chicks across the rough American dessert terrain. You will feel as though the mountains surrounding the dessert are moving in on you. Think, alongside of them, how can you escape this storm. Listen to Zada’s stories of wonder, and you may come away with a wealth of your own stories! There is a lot of problem solving in the book! Readers will need to think-think-think!
Author, Kathi Appelt, encourages readers to share their stories. She says storytelling helps in a world that is crazy and full of dust!
June 6, 2022
A unique and beautiful tale that honors the power of storytelling! Zada the camel must distract two baby birds from a West Texas dust storm when their parents go missing. She relates tales from her life, ranging from the funny to the poignant, and touching on big themes of love, friendship, and even death. Factual tidbits about camels, historical details about the history of camels in America, and the suspense of the separated family are all woven together with a gentle, funny voice. Endearing illustrations throughout bring the characters to life!
I think many younger students (ages 7-10) will enjoy this one, but more serious, sophisticated children may not find enough suspense to stay engaged, and may find the talking animals and gentle themes too cute.
I think many younger students (ages 7-10) will enjoy this one, but more serious, sophisticated children may not find enough suspense to stay engaged, and may find the talking animals and gentle themes too cute.
June 20, 2023
23-24 WAW book. Would probably rate 3.5. A story of a camel, Zada, and two kestrel birds that have been lost in the desert of Texas in 1910. A huge dust storm separates the young birds from their parents and Zada must keep them safe, and entertained. Zada tells stories to the young birds about her trek her to the United States and her camel companion. The story jumps back and forth between Zada and the birds and stories of Zada’s past. I can see this being a good book for animal lovers.
June 10, 2022
I cannot recommend this book enough! It’s the epitome of personification through endearing animals and their journey! Ss will love this story like they love Kate Dicamillo’s stories! Ts can teach all ELAR standards w/this beautiful novel! A must read!
December 6, 2021
"An unconventional ode to the beauty of found families and the power in our stories." Thank you, Publishers Weekly, for this perfect assessment!
January 4, 2022
I adored this book. Appelt's way with words is magical.
I'll be saying OOD ("Offical Okey Dokey") to my grandchildren. :)
I'll be saying OOD ("Offical Okey Dokey") to my grandchildren. :)
June 28, 2022
Such a sweet story about the power of them.
July 17, 2022
I didn’t expect to like this book, but after the first few chapters I found myself enthralled in the story. Don’t skip the author’s note.
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