Chimpanzee Children of Gombe

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.)

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