Moto and Me tells the remarkable firsthand story of wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas’s care for an orphaned baby serval—a small, spotted wildcat—in Kenya. When a grass fire separates the serval from his family, a ranger asks Suzi, who is living in a bush camp and is skilled with animals, to be the serval’s foster mom.

The book chronicles Suzi’s tender care of Moto, including how she feeds, bathes, and plays with him, and helps him develop hunting skills. Her goal is to help him learn how to survive on his own in the wild. After 6 months, he is ready to leave—a difficult good-bye, but exactly what Suzi had worked for. Stunning photography illustrates this touching and rare wildlife rescue story.

LEVELING
Grade Range: 2–6
Fountas & Pinnell: P
Lexile: 860L

COMMON CORE
W.3.1,2,2a,2b,4,7,8,10
L.3.3,4,4a,4b,4c,4d,5,5b,5c,6
SL.3.1,1a,1c,1d,2,3,4,6
RF.3.3,3a,3b,3c,3d,4,4a,4c
RI.3.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

– Personal account told by award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas

– Empowering, brave, independent female role model

– Parts of this story have been featured in Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, and BBC Wildlife

– Includes informational notes about life in a bush camp and serval cats