How It Was with Dooms: A True Story from Africa 1997 by Xan and Carol Hopcraft SIGNED (by both) ~ life of a Cheetah

Title: How It Was with Dooms: A True Story from Africa

Author: Text and Illustrations by Xan Hopcraft and Carol Cawthra Hopcraft

Description: Signed by both Xan and his mother Carol on title page. Stated First Edition, first printing (with full number line). Pictorial boards with matching dust jacket. Clean and unmarked. Illustrated throughout with color photographs and drawings. Dust jacket has a Children's Book Council medal on the front panel; mild wear at spine ends; not price clipped; in an archival mylar sleeve. 64 pages. 8 x 10 inches.

The story of the life of Dooms, a cheetah cub who had come to live with the Hopcrafts on their game ranch in Kenya. From the time Xan could remember, Dooms was always there, a much-loved member of the family. When Xan was seven years old Dooms died, leaving Xan and his parents with a huge sense of loss. To ease their sorrow, Xan's mother, Carol, suggested they put together a scrapbook of her photos and his drawing and tell the story of Dooms. Xan spoke into a tape recorder and Carol typed the story. How It Was with Dooms is the result.

In seven short chapters, Xan gives a rich sense of Doom's life, initially as a tiny cub who lived in the house for his first three months for safety, thereafter as a free wild cheetah who chose never to leave the Hopcraft family. Finally, Xan tells of the shock and grief of Doom's death.

Xan Hopcraft's simple, direct record of Doom's life and his mother Carol's family photographs create for readers of all ages a memorable picture of this beautiful animal and his remarkable acceptance of humans.

Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine
Jacket Condition: Near Fine

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Place: New York
Year: 1997

ISBN: 0689810911

Keywords: cheetah, animal stories, Africa, true animal stories,