★ 04/27/2015
"Silvey (The Plant Hunters ) adeptly chronicles the life of Goodall from her childhood fascination with animal behavior to her groundbreaking field research of chimpanzees in Africa and her work to preserve endangered animals’ habitats. Goodall’s brief foreword offers a persuasive call-to-action for readers to do their part to save the natural world, and Silvey’s clear, engaging narrative moves briskly through Goodall’s career.... Incorporating sidebars, bursts, maps, illustrations, and other images, the book’s handsome design makes for easy, enjoyable navigation." - Publisher's Weekly Starred Review
"This accessible account of [Jane Goodall's] life (with a foreword by Goodall herself) emphasizes the qualities that will likely resonate with young readers: her intelligence, sense of adventure, curiosity, and love of animals... Silvey accompanies her main narrative with informative text boxes and vivid photographs that are integral to understanding the places, people, and animals in Goodall’s life—including the chimpanzees she spent years observing. " - The Horn Book Magazine; www.hbook.com
“Adventurers and outdoor lovers will identify with the life and work of Jane Goodall, compellingly presented in “Untamed,” which is filled with full color photographs, illustrations, maps, and fun nature facts.” - The Boston Globe
"Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall by Anita Silvey is the fascinating story of the childhood and career of the famed scientist. With a foreword by Jane Goodall, a great many photographs of her early years and field work studying chimpanzees, a format that draws the reader in, and a carefully researched and written narrative, this is a book that will both educate and entertain young readers." - About.com
Jane Goodall transformed human understanding of chimpanzees’ intelligence and behaviors. Readers are first introduced to the young Jane and her interest in animals from an early age. She went to Gombe State, Nigeria, as a young adult, where she was fortunate to meet Louis Leakey who took her on as his protégé. Life was not easy as Jane studied her beloved chimpanzees, but she endured and became known internationally in the early 1960s through a National Geographic article and television show. Her celebrity status was both good news and bad, as it made her research and methods known to millions but it also led to much travel and less time in the field. In the 1980s, she altered her focus more toward conservation and education, and today devotes her efforts to the three organizations she founded with those same goals. Silvey has written a glowing account of Jane and her endeavors, with no mention of any disputes over her methods, findings, or writings. The text is packed with facts and material from primary sources but lacks punch. Oddly placed sidebars, while full of interesting information, interrupt the narrative flow and do not always line up with what has been covered in the text. The same is true for some of the captions and photos, which are indeed beautiful but slightly disrupting. Design occasionally supersedes legibility, with small neon or white fonts difficult on the eye. A wealth of back matter is included, containing a detailed timeline presented as a vine, an extensive bibliography, and an author’s note. Youngsters will enjoy the chimp “family album” scattered throughout the text and the tips for those wanting to work with animals, as well as learning about an important woman of science. This biography will be useful for such youngsters, for research, or for those wanting to browse through its stunning photos. Reviewer: Peg Glisson; Ages 9 to 14.
Children's Literature - Peg Glisson
★ 04/01/2015
2015-03-17
