Ajeet the Sloth Bear

by Gail Jewel Hunte
Illustrated by Rhonda Van

Wild About the Animals Conservation Series

Ajeet the sloth bear had been awake for hours, eating his fill of ants and termites. His tummy was full, but he used his strong paws to shake the mango tree until a few came tumbling down anyway.

His sister, playing in the grass, called to him. “Ajeet, come and play with me before Mamma Bear calls us back to the cave,” she shouted.

Ajeet peeked through the bushes, and then stopped. Who were those strange men? Before he knew it, the little sloth bear had been taken far away, where he would soon learn his fate…

Inspired by the conservation work of Wildlife SOS in India, Ajeet the Sloth Bear tells the story of a young bear who is captured and forced to dance for entertainment.

Ajeet is afraid of humans, but he senses kindness in a little boy named Ravi. The bear begins to feel hope again as he realizes Ravi wants to set him free. Could he get back to the family and life he longs for? Find out in Ajeet the Sloth Bear, by Gail Jewel Hunte. For ages 7 and up and beautifully illustrated in full color by artist Rhonda Van.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-954039-03-2 • Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle

E-Pub ISBN: 978-1-954039-04-9

About the Author:

Born in London, Gail Jewel Hunte divides her time between the UK and the island of Barbados, where her family roots are. She is known as the Animal Talk Lady, and believes animals are sentient beings that teach us about compassion, forgiveness, courage, and love.

Gail created Barbados’ first pet magazine, Animal Talk, is a radio talk show host for Animal Craze, and is a trustee for the Charity Action for Animals Barbados (AFAB).

When not writing and helping animals, Gail loves spending time with her cats, the family dogs, and relaxing with friends in the warm Caribbean Sea. Weird facts about Gail? She likes spiders and watching clouds. One of her favorite foods is chocolate.

About the Illustrator:

Rhonda Van is an artist, author, wildlife rehabber, and lifelong animal lover.

She particularly adores jackrabbits, squirrels, her animal companions, Shark Week, vegan dinners in Santa Cruz, and her husband Tony. Rhonda has been drawing forever, but only got deeper into illustration after she started drawing the wildlife friends she cares for.

Rhonda is the author and illustrator of Squeak the Squirrel, and the illustrator of Ajeet the Sloth Bear, The Big Wind, The No Name Bunny, Towpath’s Tail, The Sleepy Honey Bee, Lop-Eared Lily, Spittin’ Kitten’s Speed-Away, and Tiffany Rolls On. Find her online at rhondaluluart.com.

Testimonials:

“Wildlife SOS has worked with hundreds of bears like Ajeet, bears taken from the wild as cubs. It is always challenging to explain to a child what that experience would be like for a young bear. Through the eyes of Ajeet the sloth bear, a young reader will learn compassion for animals and a desire to keep them free.”—Nikki Sharp, Executive Director, Wildlife SOS, wildlifesos.org

“I loved Ajeet the sloth bear! It sends out a very strong message both to children as well as adults—respect animals and their habitats. You have drawn attention to the poverty which exists in India very subtly, along with an idea that money can be earned in a different, much kinder way. All in all a delightful read! Much love and best wishes for a super success.”—Shama Noorani Choudhary, Author of Communications from Your Angels