Daily children’s book recommendations and events from Anita Silvey.
Discover the stories behind the children’s book classics . . .
The new books on their way to becoming classics . . .
And events from the world of children’s books—and the world at large.
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September 1 has been set aside to celebrate International Primate Day. I can think of no better way to mark this day than look at the life of Jane Goodall, who has devoted herself to the study and the conservation of chimpanzees.
In 2011 Patrick McDonnell published an exquisite picture book Me . . . Jane distinguished by writing, art, and design. The title page displays a girl clutching a stuffed chimpanzee, and we meet both Jane and Jubilee at the beginning of the text. Jane loves the natural world and explores it; she makes drawings and notes of all she observes. In this fascinating world, she stays in the barn to watch how chickens lay eggs—all with her companion Jubilee. And she reads in trees, wonderful sagas of Tarzan, Jane, and the jungles of Africa. In a magical sequence, McDonnell shows Jane going to bed, saying her prayers, and dreaming of being in Africa helping animals. And then one day she wakes as an adult – and all her dreams have come true.
Two drawings from Jane Goodall herself have been incorporated into this story along with actual ornamental engravings from nineteen- and twentieth-century texts. McDonnell has seamlessly woven these elements into his own India ink and watercolor drawings. Everything about the book has been chosen with care—the pleasing, and era-appropriate, Caslon Book font type, which has been distressed to look old. The cream-colored, weighty paper feels wonderful to touch. This is one of those rare picture books where every element has been given care and attention.
But what is the most remarkable, certainly, is McDonnell’s ability to re-create Jane Goodall as a child, in the way that any child can appreciate. She and Jubilee seem totally real and believable. And he shows perfectly the relationship of a child and a beloved stuffed toy. Jubilee actually seems alive in the art—just as stuffed toys do to children.
The final note, in which McDonnell talks about Goodall’s accomplishments as an adult, seems inevitable given what she cared about as a child. This message that your childhood dreams can, and do, come true will be welcomed by both parents and children. This original, fresh, and exciting picture book is destined for a long life of its own.
Here’s a page from Me . . . Jane:
Also recommended:
- The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with Chimps by Jeanette Winter
Additional Information
A few other events for
- Happy Birthday to Gail Gibbons (The Reasons for the Seasons, The Vegetables We Eat), Jim Arnosky (Crinkleroot series), and Jane Hissey (Old Bear series).
- It’s also the birthdate of Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950), author of Tarzan of the Apes.
- In 1914, it was the last day of life for the last known passenger pigeon, Martha (named after Martha Washington) who lived in the Cincinnati Zoo. Read Grandmother’s Pigeon by Louise Erdich, illustrated by Jim LaMarche.
- It’s National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day! Read Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth.
- International Enthusiasm Week kicks off today! Read Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka.