"The author offers the interesting stories behind the founding of many of these sanctuaries and presents uplifting conclusions to the many heart-wrenching stories of rescued animals. A section showing the difference between true sanctuaries and those neither meeting the needs of animals in their care nor preparing them for rehabilitation into the wild is useful for teaching children to think critically about what they see. The full-color photographs of wild animals being appropriately cared for lend interest to the stories. Laidlaw's commitment to his cause is apparent and presents a fine role model for young readers.
" —School Library Journal

"Saving Lives & Changing Hearts is well-illustrated with photographs, many taken by Laidlaw and others by those who run the sanctuaries. The layout is made interesting with a variety of type styles, colors and background patterns all of which add eye-appeal. . . The book will be best used by parents and children together to facilitate discussion. Such activity would address its purpose of enhancing understanding of the need, as the title suggests, to 'save lives and change hearts."
Highly Recommended.
-- CM Magazine

"Saving Lives and Changing Hearts tells hopeful stories of humans from around the world stepping up to rescue animals in bad situations and to give them better lives. This heartening book describes 'real sanctuaries,' then highlights successful organizations.
"Some basic principles of real sanctuaries are that the physical, psychological and social needs of animals are the highest priority. There is no commercial trade or breeding of animals. Real sanctuaries also play a role in helping solve the problems that create the need for sanctuaries in the first place and educating the public.
"Among the sanctuaries featured are touching stories about donkeys, elephants, chimpanzees, pigs in Canada, elephants and rhinos in Kenya, bears and raptors in China, lions in Ethiopia, and turtles and pelicans in the United States.
"Saving Lives and Changing Hearts was strongly praised by all of the reviewers for the Skipping Stones Award because it does a good job of covering an important subject. The book promotes respect for and partnership with animals—an important message for all humans"
— Jury of the Skipping Stones Book Awards