Noe’s Comics Nook: Letters from Animals

Review

Letters from Animals is a collection of short comics written from the perspective of a member of one of more than fifteen species, with each letter aiming to engender empathy, inform the reader of their plight, and encourage action to prevent future suffering. Each letter is an adaptation from the writings of wildlife conservationist Allain Bourgrain-Dubourg, who, anticipating cries of anthropomorphism, writes in the introduction, “…is feeling, moving, and reacting to events unique to humans?”; obviously it is not. 

Each letter pulls at your heart, with Rigano’s beautiful illustrations immersing you in the world of each animal and, despite each letter clearly being illustrated by the same artist, they manage to convey a different sense of reality in each. Compare the lush tones of the Gorilla’s letter to the brightness of the Wolf’s and you’ll see what I mean. This attention lends to the important message here: while we are all connected, and all species are deserving of freedom from suffering, we retain our unique modes of experiencing the world we share. And that is wonderful. At least, that’s what I took from the collection as a whole – and I hope you do too.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that some readers will find this collection difficult to experience. The horrors of factory farming are front and center, not to mention the unconscionable acts of attempted species eradication simply to make human life easier. I would also be remiss if I didn’t make clear that I firmly believe these stories, these experiences, these… sufferings need to be witnessed by everyone. At the risk of the preaching that turns so many off, if you cannot stomach the realities of where your food comes from, perhaps you should not be consuming it. These are lives at stake and I hope you take the short time these letters require, to read, reflect, and grow. For those who are so-moved, the end pages include advice on how to help animals in need and where to begin larger acts of change. As Montaigne wrote, “We owe justice to men, and mercy and kindness to those other creatures that may be capable of receiving it.”

Elements of Story

Plot: A series of short letters written from the perspective of animals currently experiencing harm thanks to human actions seeking to educate the reader and call them to action for the wellbeing of their fellow creatures.

Characters: The Turtle, The Greyhound, The Tiger, The Vulture, The Rabbit, The Shark, The Ortolan Bunting, The Pig, The Bull, The Chick, The Horse, The Lab Rat, The Badger, The Wolf, The Dirt Dwellers, The Gorilla

Major Settings: Artificial and natural environments the world over

Themes: Animal rights, animal welfare, cultural standards, economics

Lesson Plan Idea Using Common Core Standards (CCS)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.7 – Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.

Directions: Letters from Animals introduces readers to more than 15 species, from birds to mammals to insects, which are all experiencing dire consequences from human action. Some of them – like The Chick or The Pig – have become so universal that actions to reduce their suffering and increase their wellbeing can be taken anywhere. Others – like The Bull – need far more geographically specific help.

For this assignment, students are asked to think locally and identify a species living in their own hometown – one that is not already discussed in the comic. They should research the species, provide a background on where it originated (perhaps not where it now lives with you!), what its life is like, and what potential challenges it now faces. Finally, students should identity actions they can take to better the life of members of this species and see if there are local animal welfare groups working to make those actions reality.

Students are free to share their report as a text-only research paper, as a narrative story, or even as a comic from the perspective of the species like in Letters from Animals.