I Am Jane Goodall: Ordinary People Change the World
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that I Am Jane Goodall, a recent entry in the Ordinary People Change the World series by Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos, hits a lot of sweet spots and delivers a raft of positive messages in its portrait of the famed scientist, environmentalist, and friend of chimpanzees. Unlike other Ordinary People books, it spotlights a still-living and still-active person, allowing for much less explaining of historical issues and more storytelling and things that will strike a chord with little kids as well as their older siblings: love of animals, working hard to make your dreams real, using patience and respect to build trust, having parents who support you in your goals. An important lesson is one that young Jane learned as a child reading Dr. Dolittle: "We can accomplish anything by working together."
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What's the Story?
I AM JANE GOODALL begins as little Jane's dad gives her a stuffed-animal chimpanzee for her first birthday, the first of many life-changing moments. Another comes a few years later, when she reads a library book, Dr. Dolittle, three times before it has to go back -- her family didn't have enough money to buy a copy -- and decides to go to Africa to live among the animals. The story follows little white-haired cartoon kid Jane as she works hard, saves her money, gets to Africa, meets noted anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey, and befriends chimpanzees. An appendix includes photographs and information about her research center in Tanzania, as well as her worldwide youth organization Roots & Shoots. Along the way are lots of messages about finding common ground and working together.
Is It Any Good?
Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos hit a lot of sweet spots in this lively installment of their picture-book series about onetime regular kids who went on to change the world. I Am Jane Goodall's appealing pictures and commentary show little white-haired Jane falling hard for the animal kingdom and overcoming obstacles from sexism (girls weren't supposed to be scientists when she was in school) to lack of money (she worked as a waitress to pay for her first trip to Africa). Once there, she connects with chimps in a big way using respect and patience, and young readers will share her excitement as she discovers the many things people and animals have in common.
Animal-loving kids will find this story especially relatable, but there's a lot to like in the cute illustrations, positive messages, and examples of what's possible if we work together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the study of wild animals as shown in I Am Jane Goodall. Do you think it looks fun? Which animals do you find most interesting?
Have you ever really wanted to do something and been told you couldn't -- maybe because of your age, your gender, where you lived, or how much money you had? Did that make you give up, or did you figure out a way to make it happen?
Do you have any stuffed animals that are your particular friends? Do you wish they were real? What might be different if they were?
Book Details
- Author: Brad Meltzer
- Illustrator: Chris Eliopoulos
- Genre: Biography
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models, History, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Dial
- Publication date: September 6, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 5 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
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