Book Description
for Me . . . Jane by Patrick McDonnell
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Patrick McDonnell’s picture book about chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall as a child depicts her as a curious, scientific-minded young girl whose favorite stuffed animal was a chimpanzee named Jubilee. She took the stuffed chimp everywhere as she explored and carefully observed the natural world of her childhood ... and dreamed of someday going to Africa. McDonnell’s spare and skillful text is set against beautiful, soft-toned illustrations that have a sense of playfulness even while conveying Goodall’s focus and determination. Occasional double-page spreads represent young Jane’s detailed scientific notebook full of drawings and notes. A stirring transition from illustrated story to Goodall’s adult life comes with the final page of the story, incorporating a photo of Goodall as a young woman reaching out to touch a real chimpanzee. An author’s note about Jane Goodall and a message from Goodall herself round out this distinctive volume. Winner, 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 5–8)
CCBC Choices 2012. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2012. Used with permission.