Chessie, The Travelin' Man

Today, manatees--warm-water mammals that early sailors mistook for mermaids--are an endangered species, reduced in number to some 1,600. Although they have no natural enemies, the manatee population has declined due to recreational boating; surfacing for air, the animals are essentially cut to shreds by powerful propellers. In Chessie, The Travelin' Man, an iconographic animated adaptation of the book written by Randy Houk and illustrated by Paula Bartlett, young viewers will see poor Chessie receive a couple of sharp cuts from a boat propeller and, yes, it is upsetting, but Chessie quickly recovers and takes a summer vacation from the Florida Keys...all the way up to Chesapeake Bay (hence his name), a destination further than any manatee had previously traveled. Unfortunately, the waters of the Chesapeake drop to below 68 degrees--too cold for a manatee--and Chessie is rescued and returned home, only to repeat his travels the following summer, this time heading further north to Rhode Island. Based on a true story which took place from 1994-1995, this wonderful story--set in rhyming couplets--is sung/narrated by the award-winning Tom Chapin, and followed by an informative short which shows footage of the real Chessie and offers additional information about manatees. A fine program, very affordably priced, this is highly recommended. A second video, Wolves in Yellowstone, is also available. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)