Thursday, December 19, 2013

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks

Primates is a brief and wonderful biography in graphic novel format of three amazing field scientists: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas. They were recruited to study chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans by Dr. Louis Leakey, the famous British naturalist and paleoanthropologist. He believed that "women are fundamentally better in the field than men. They're more patient and give more of themselves."

Jim Ottaviani (author of many other science comics, including Feynman and Bone Sharps, Cowboys and Thunder Lizards) wrote the text and Maris Wicks created the bright, appealing illustrations in a clear line style. The realities of roughing it for long periods in remote jungles come through very well. Readers get to know a little of the personality of each woman, as well as their most important accomplishments. It's an inspiring book for readers from Grade 6 to adult.

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