Katie Dolan

Bella, the Wildlife Ambassador: Charles, the Crowded Cougar Katie Dolan

Narrated by a gregarious Newfoundland, the Bella, the Wildlife Ambassador series describes her efforts to resolve conflicts between wildlife, people, and pets. In Charles, the Crowded Cougar, an orphaned Colorado cougar faces danger from bulldozers, mean males, and busy road crossings, but Ambassador Bella helps Charles out of a prickly situation. Wildlife Ambassador Bella befriends Charles, offers sage advice about humans, and helps the cougar out of a prickly situation. Along the way, Bella and her team learn the history of carnivores in the Americas and the reasons why cougars feel crowded. Bella's team addresses key conservation issues, including the ecological roles played by top predators as well as the current state of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation efforts. The Bella, the Wildlife Ambassador Series is for families to enjoy together, discovering how we all can help protect wild animals. Parents/grandparents can read the book to younger children while learning cougar ecology from the accompanying sidebars. Older children will enjoy the fascinating facts about wildlife and Bella's adventures.
Kirkus Review praises the first book in the series "as an engaging environmental message from an endearing canine character" and adds, "Bella has an appealing personality; her protectiveness is touching, and as an "Ambassador," she's even polite to cats.