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I cannot remember the last time I picked up and read a children's book that grabbed and held my attention quite a firmly as this work. Perhaps it was the subject matter. Perhaps it was the simple declarative prose. Perhaps it was the whimsically executed art work. Perhaps it was the fact that it was about Jane Goodall herself. I suspect it is a combination of all these factors, but what ever it was, it certainly worked for me!
This is the story of Jane Goodall as a young girl presented in a way that is bound to appeal to the targeted age group of 4 to 8. It features Doctor Goodall as a little girl and her stuffed chimpanzee as (Jubilee) they begin an adventure which will take her on an amazing life adventure far, far from her home; an adventure that is continuing to this day.
We see the young Jane becoming more and more fascinated with the natural world around her as she investigates the "exotic" wildlife around her such as squirrels, barnyard chickens and birds. Her vivid imagination and natural curiosity shine through on every page and we are treated to a glimpse of the Jane to come.
The text here is simple....
While simple, it most certainly tells a story; a story of growth and of one that will enchant and inspire the wee ones just getting started.
The illustrations are beautifully done; simply yet extremely well executed and go perfect with the text. On each facing page the author/illustrator has featured lightly printed engravings of a bygone age behind the print on the page. This is extremely effective. We are also treated to a two page spread of copies of a "nature's notebook" made my Jane Goodall herself as a young girl which is absolutely fascinating.
I have always been a fan of Patrick McDonnell and I must say that even he has outdone himself with this work.
I cannot think of a better book to inspire young readers, both girls and boys, to dream and more importantly, reach for their dreams than the thin volume I have here before me.
On a personal note I must admit to you that I have been a Jane Goodall fan and follower since she began her remarkable career and inspiring work. My wife has always teased me in that she thinks I may have had a sort of school boy crush of Ms. Goodall...perhaps she is right.
I very much recommend this work and it most certainly should be on the shelves of every child's library and in all school libraries.
This is the story of Jane Goodall as a young girl presented in a way that is bound to appeal to the targeted age group of 4 to 8. It features Doctor Goodall as a little girl and her stuffed chimpanzee as (Jubilee) they begin an adventure which will take her on an amazing life adventure far, far from her home; an adventure that is continuing to this day.
We see the young Jane becoming more and more fascinated with the natural world around her as she investigates the "exotic" wildlife around her such as squirrels, barnyard chickens and birds. Her vivid imagination and natural curiosity shine through on every page and we are treated to a glimpse of the Jane to come.
The text here is simple....
"One day, curious Jane wondered
where eggs came from.
So she and Jubilee snuck into
Grandmas Nutt's chicken coop..."
While simple, it most certainly tells a story; a story of growth and of one that will enchant and inspire the wee ones just getting started.
The illustrations are beautifully done; simply yet extremely well executed and go perfect with the text. On each facing page the author/illustrator has featured lightly printed engravings of a bygone age behind the print on the page. This is extremely effective. We are also treated to a two page spread of copies of a "nature's notebook" made my Jane Goodall herself as a young girl which is absolutely fascinating.
I have always been a fan of Patrick McDonnell and I must say that even he has outdone himself with this work.
I cannot think of a better book to inspire young readers, both girls and boys, to dream and more importantly, reach for their dreams than the thin volume I have here before me.
On a personal note I must admit to you that I have been a Jane Goodall fan and follower since she began her remarkable career and inspiring work. My wife has always teased me in that she thinks I may have had a sort of school boy crush of Ms. Goodall...perhaps she is right.
I very much recommend this work and it most certainly should be on the shelves of every child's library and in all school libraries.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Me . . . Jane
by Patrick McDonnell
Reading Information:
Word Count: 218
Page Count: 40
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 143202
Lexile: AD740L
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