Camel

A distinct symbol of the desert and the Middle East, the camel was once unkindly described as “half snake, half folding bedstead.” But in the eyes of many the camel is a creature of great beauty. This is most evident in the Arab world, where the camel has played a central role in the historical development of Arabic society—where an elaborate vocabulary and extensive literature have been devoted to it. In Camel, Robert Irwin explores why the camel has fascinated so many cultures, including those cultivated in locales where camels are not indigenous. Here, he traces the history of the camel from its origins millions of years ago to the present day, discussing such matters of contemporary concern as the plight of camel herders in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region, the alarming increase in the population of feral camels in Australia, and the endangered status of the wild Bactrian in Mongolia and China. Throughout history, the camel has been appreciated worldwide for its practicality, resilience, and legendary abilities of survival. As a result it has been featured in the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Poussin, Tiepolo, Flaubert, Kipling, and Rose Macaulay, among others. From East to West, Irwin’s Camel is the first survey of its kind to examine the animal’s role in society and history throughout the world. Not just for camel aficionados, this highly illustrated book, containing over 100 informative and unusual images, is sure to entertain and inform anyone interested in this fascinating and exotic animal.

In 1910, Zada the camel treks across the West Texas desert to save two baby kestrels from an approaching haboob, a mountain-sized storm. sharing adventures from her youth in Turkey to keep them calm.

Why, for many centuries, was the wheel abandoned in the Middle East in favor of the camel as a means of transport? This richly illustrated study explains this anomaly. Drawing on archaeology, art, technology, anthropology, linguistics, and camel husbandry, Bulliet explores the implications for the region's economic and social development during the Middle Ages and into modern times.

Etabo dreams of being a camel racer. One day he might even beat his older brother when they race. But with the price of water rising, Etabo's father must sell the camels, and his siblings must find work. What will Etabo do now? From acclaimed Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu and Italian illustrator Manuela Adreani, this story of love and hope centers on the inspiring Turkana people of northwest Kenya. Told with gentleness and humor, it is a universal story about keeping one's dreams alive.

"A misfit Camel with excellent dental hygiene shows his worth in a tale that covers a lot of ground." —School Library Journal Enamel wants to be like all the other camels who live in Camel-lot, but his front teeth are bigger than anyone else's. And they stick out. He's the only camel who brushes his teeth—he has to because everyone can see them. Enamel is tired of getting teased for being different. Then one day the class gets caught in a terrible sandstorm...and his exceptional incisors save the day. Enamel the Camel is an upbeat, humorous story about sticking out, stepping up, and the importance of good dental hygiene.

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and environment of camels.

HARRY THE CAMEL lives in the sand dunes of Dubai, and he often watches from a distance as the beautifully sleek race horses at the track run their laps. He laments that his back isn't as smooth as theirs and wonders how much faster he could run without his bulky old hump.

Meet the hump-backed mammals of the desert! Introduce elementary kids to both species of camels, Bactrian and dromedaries. Not many animals can thrive in the barren desert, but camels do it without breaking a sweat! Readers explore this desert dweller's features and behaviors, including its desert adaptations and use for people, with STEM-appropriate text and gorgeous photography. An end folk tale adapted from Rudyard Kipling tells how the camel got its humps.