In this picture book biography, McDonnell (Wag!) examines Goodall's very English childhood and her unexpected wish—nurtured by early exposure to Tarzan—to live and work in Africa. On the left, earnest text appears on cream-colored paper embellished with delicate vintage images of trees and animals. On the right, by contrast, McDonnell's winsome ink and watercolor drawings come across as sweetly goofy. Jane spends most of her time sitting quietly, watching living things. "One day," McDonnell writes, "curious Jane wondered where eggs came from. So she and Jubilee snuck into Grandma Nutt's chicken coop... hid beneath some straw, stayed very still... and observed the miracle." (The hen looks just as surprised as Jane.) Best of all is a spread that shows Jane fantasizing living like Tarzan's Jane in Africa; she swings on a vine through the jungle, dressed in a sensible cardigan and a tartan skirt. Back matter fills in readers about Goodall's accomplishments as an adult; McDonnell's concentration on her childhood fantasies carries a strong message to readers that their own dreams—even the wildly improbable ones—may be realizable, too. Ages 3–6. (Apr.)

A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book
A Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A Booklist Editor's Choice Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best BookA Kids' Indie Next List Book
A 2011 Bank Street College Children's Book Committee Outstanding Book

A University of Wisconsin-Madison CCBC 2012 Children's Choices Book

A Parents' Choice Silver Honor Book
A National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Winner
A Booklinks Lasting Connections Book
A 2014 Illinois Monarch Children's Choice Award Winner
A 2014 Iowa Goldfinch Book Award Winner"

This remarkable picture book is one of the few that speaks, in a meaningful way, to all ages."—Booklist, starred review

"McDonnell's book is... inspirational."—The Horn Book, starred review

"Children will appreciate McDonnell's original format and take heart that interests logged in their own diaries might turn into lifelong passions."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"McDonnell's skill as a cartoonist enables him to express Goodall's joy, wonder and satisfaction with a simple stroke of the pen."—New York Times

"[A] tender homage... engaging... an appealing and satisfying introduction to a well-known scientist and activist."—School Library Journal

"McDonnell's concentration on [Goodall's] childhood fantasies carries a strong message to readers that their own dreams—even the wildly improbable ones—may be realizable, too."—Publishers Weekly

"McDonnell's skill as a cartoonist enables him to express Goodall's joy, wonder and satisfaction with a simple stroke of the pen."

"McDonnell's book is... inspirational."

"This remarkable picture book is one of the few that speaks, in a meaningful way, to all ages."