Review: Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage by Nancy Stewart

"All Katrina Simpkins longs to be is a normal girl. Because she must wear prosthesis as a leg, she feels anything but. When she meets and befriends Winter, the tailless dolphin, at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, everything changes, including Katrina's whole life. Suggested age range for readers: 8-12"

My review:

First, a big thank you to Ms. Stewart for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Katrina was born with a birth defect and grew up wearing a prosthetic leg. She was very self-conscious about it. One day, her parents take her and her sister to a marine animal rescue and rehabilitation center where she meets Winter, the dolphin without a tail. Winter, like Katrina, has a prosthesis! Katrina feels an immediate connection with Winter, and she knows that somehow, this meeting has changed her life.

After going back home, Katrina is determined to try something she never has before - an after school activity - and a jump rope club no less! After she mastered Double Dutch, she told her mom that she just had to see Winter again, which was not easy because she was so far away. After a phone call, Katrina's mom said that the rescue center wanted Katrina to come and do a video with Winter!

Winter gave Katrina confidence. After they got to know each other, Katrina went on to do all kinds of wonderful things - she completed modeling school, played basketball, gymnastics, horseback riding, and acted as a role model for people with special needs among other things.

This young lady is an inspiration and I very much enjoyed reading about her in Nancy Stewart's book. Her book is targeted to 8-12 year olds, and I think that kids will love reading about this spunky girl who did such amazing things. She includes several real life photographs on every page, which I think kids will also greatly enjoy. A great biography for children!