CHIMPANZEE CHILDREN OF GOMBE

An album of photographs of young chimpanzees from the families the famed naturalist has studied over 60 years in the now-protected area of Tanzania called Gombe National Park.

Goodall herself narrates this invitation to young readers to spend a day observing chimpanzee children. Her love for the area comes through in her presentation. She explains that her imagined day includes photos taken over many years and features several different chimp families. She makes a point of showing similarities between their behavior and our own—mothers carrying, feeding and nurturing their babies, children exploring and playing. One spread shows young Tanzanian children and chimps in similar poses—sucking a finger, laughing, eating. Along the way, the naturalist includes facts about chimp daily life and introduces other animals in the park, including baboons and red colobus monkeys. Neugebauer’s photographs (taken over many years of visits) are striking and beautifully reproduced. Many are close-ups, showing recognizable individuals. Some pictures may surprise: One chimp shakes a dry gourd like a rattle; another holds hands with a baboon. Others entertain. One spread shows Goodall herself, perhaps thinking about her own mother or perhaps just watching a chimp mother cuddling her baby. Both have the same warm smile.

An irresistible replacement for the collaborators’ The Chimpanzee Family Book (1989), now out of print.