JANE GOODALL

A timely tribute to the life and discoveries of the renowned primatologist and animal activist.

Published without mention of Jane Goodall’s death in October of 2025, this record of her achievements offers a well-rounded picture of both her career and the scope of her intellect. Taking an interactive approach, Alexander divides her narrative into 10 chronological sections—inviting readers at the end of each to, for instance, sharpen their own powers of observation and keep a nature notebook like Jane did as a child, or more generally to think about the value of her patience and perseverance, to appreciate the significance of her discoveries about chimpanzee communication and family dynamics, and to follow her example by learning about animals and then taking action to protect them. Radiating confidence and warmth, Goodall’s slender blond figure poses gracefully in Walker’s illustrations with childhood friends and adult coworkers, amid groups of expressive, individually drawn wild chimps, and later with her own darker-skinned grandchildren. In a fetching final scene, she celebrates her 90th birthday on a beach with a multiracial, multigenerational crowd of friends and supporters—and 90 dogs!

Appealing and inspiring.