National Geographic Kids is pairing up with the Dutcher Family to bring awareness to wolves, and the increasing threats towards the species’ survival. As you all know, I am a National Geographic junkie and I have passed my obsession on to the kids, who are proud owners of dozens of National Geographic Kid books, including “A Friend For Lakota,” by Jim and Jamie Dutcher.

“A Friend For Lakota” is by far one of the best National Geographic Kids books that I have come across, and I love them all, so that is saying a lot. This book was special though – for two reasons. First of all, wolves have gotten a bad rep thanks to folklore, and sci-fi movies. When in actuality they are some of the most complex and social animals to share the planet with us. And sadly, wolves are flirting with the fine line of becoming an endangered species.

The second reason “A Friend For Lakota” hit home with my nephew Jayden is that it not only taught him a slew of facts about wolves and their natural habitats, but it also addressed bullying – which he was able to associate with his own natural habitat … elementary school. Kids can be so cruel these days, and the baby wolf – Lakota – was also a victim of bullying in his pack.

The Dutcher Family lived with a pack of wolves for six years, and studied their every move and earned the wolves’ trust eventually. “A Friend For Lakota” is about one of the wolf pups that the Dutchers were studying, Lakota was basically the runt of the pack and often picked on by the other pups. Eventually, Lakota found a friend in the pack – and with his friends’ help he was able to stand up to the bullying and fend for himself. You can learn more about the Dutcher Family’s mission, and hear other tales of their time with Lakota and the rest of the wolves right here at their official website.

In honor of Lakota and all of the other misunderstood majestic wolves out there, we are going to give away a copy of “Mission: Wolf Rescue”, another gem from National Geographic Kids. “Mission: Wolf Rescue” is an educational book full of beautiful photographs that will help your youngsters understand more about wolves, their natural habitats, and what they can do to ensure that wolves stick around for many more generations. Raising awareness to saving the wolves is very important, and what better way to get your kids interested in the cause than an exciting National Geographic Kids book?

If you want to learn more about Jim and Jamie Dutcher’s adventures living with the wolves and what you can do to help conserve the wolves’ natural habitats, you can check out this amazing guide on the National Geographic Kids website, and don’t forget to enter in to the contest for your very own copy of “Mission: Wolf Rescue” – which would make a great gift for any youngster is your family who has a passion for animals and knowledge!

THE GIVEAWAY

(1) National Geographic Kids “Mission: Wolf Rescue”

The contest is open to both residents of the USA and Canada and will run until November 3rd, 2015.  Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter below, give it a minute or two to come up!  I will notify the winner by e-mail and you have 72-hours to respond or I will have to choose another winner.  Good Luck!!

Disclosure: I am part of the National Geographic Kids Insider program. I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.