Review by Booklist Review
There have been many books about or by Goodall, who has now clocked in more than 50 years as a primatologist. This one, though, is especially inviting because it focuses on the young chimps, and it won't take long for readers to see how much they resemble their human counterparts. In a chatty, first-person text, Goodall introduces two chimp families, one whose names start with F, the other with G. The close-up color photos show mothers feeding, carrying, and teaching their babies; curious little ones at play; and, rather surprisingly, involved siblings taking care of younger chimps. Other flora and fauna of the Gombe National Park, in Tanzania, are also introduced. Both text and pictures emphasize the similarities between species; children whose interests are already piqued by the information may be interested in getting involved with Goodall's charitable works, which are discussed at the book's conclusion.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Goodall introduces and reflects on the chimpanzees of the Gombe National Park that she has known and studied, describing the structure and dynamics of chimpanzee families and considering the ways human and chimpanzee social relationships are similar. "When my son... was small he played with the children of the Tanzanian staff," she writes. "And when I watched them I could see how they behaved so much like the chimpanzee children I knew so well." Absorbing photographs from publisher Neugebauer provide intimate glimpses of baby chimps playing with family members, as well as of the other animals that populate the Gombe. A lovely look at Goodall's service to the welfare of the great apes. Ages 5-7. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-Goodall has written other books for kids, but her latest focuses on children themselves: young chimps. Photos captured by Neugebauer over the 50 years that Goodall carried on her research offer lovely portraits of several chimp mothers and their offspring. These images, coupled with Goodall's simple, conversational text ("I think we are all getting a bit weary after our day in the forest"), follow a single day in the Gombe jungle. Goodall parallels human and chimp behavior-kissing, hugging, spending time with family-to emphasize the similarities that we share and to illustrate her point that people need to learn from the life that surrounds them. The spread pairing photos of a young chimp and a boy using the same gestures is particularly heartwarming. Readers will enjoy the images of other animals-baboons, a skink, a grass finch-found here. Back matter includes information about Goodall's Roots & Shoots program, which gives students of all ages the chance to make a difference. This charmingly designed, delightful book will inspire a new generation to look for the similarities that unite us, whether among humans or between people and other species.-Dorcas Hand, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston, TX (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An album of photographs of young chimpanzees from the families the famed naturalist has studied over 60 years in the now-protected area of Tanzania called Gombe National Park.Goodall herself narrates this invitation to young readers to spend a day observing chimpanzee children. Her love for the area comes through in her presentation. She explains that her imagined day includes photos taken over many years and features several different chimp families. She makes a point of showing similarities between their behavior and our ownmothers carrying, feeding and nurturing their babies, children exploring and playing. One spread shows young Tanzanian children and chimps in similar posessucking a finger, laughing, eating. Along the way, the naturalist includes facts about chimp daily life and introduces other animals in the park, including baboons and red colobus monkeys. Neugebauer's photographs (taken over many years of visits) are striking and beautifully reproduced. Many are close-ups, showing recognizable individuals. Some pictures may surprise: One chimp shakes a dry gourd like a rattle; another holds hands with a baboon. Others entertain. One spread shows Goodall herself, perhaps thinking about her own mother or perhaps just watching a chimp mother cuddling her baby. Both have the same warm smile. An irresistible replacement for the collaborators' The Chimpanzee Family Book (1989), now out of print. (Informational picture book. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
