Before reading this book, I had no idea a lemming was a small Arctic rodent. As usual, the photos are captivating. The lemming's story is interesting. We are unlikely to see these tiny rodents unless we visit a zoo.
One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was the myth (or story) about lemmings following each other to their deaths. This book did not cover it, but that's OK because it isn't a subject for children.
After some research, I found that this myth came from a Disney nature film, WHITE WILDERNESS. Wanting some dramatic footage, the filmmakers staged a lemming death plunge, pushing dozens of lemmings off a cliff while the cameras captured the action. That footage was so dramatic and shocking that generations of moviegoers believed that lemmings had an instinct to destroy themselves. Truth is often stranger than fiction.
One of the reasons I wanted to read this book was the myth (or story) about lemmings following each other to their deaths. This book did not cover it, but that's OK because it isn't a subject for children.
After some research, I found that this myth came from a Disney nature film, WHITE WILDERNESS. Wanting some dramatic footage, the filmmakers staged a lemming death plunge, pushing dozens of lemmings off a cliff while the cameras captured the action. That footage was so dramatic and shocking that generations of moviegoers believed that lemmings had an instinct to destroy themselves. Truth is often stranger than fiction.
