I am Jane Goodall (Ordinary People Change the World)

Brad Meltzer has created an outstanding series of first biographies in his "Ordinary People Change the World" series and "I am Jane Goodall" is one of the best series' entries. It is a little book, but it is a towering portrayal of a great woman. Goodall's entire life story is revealed in the easy reading text and through Christopher Eliopoulos's delightful cartoons. Goodall went where no man or woman had gone before and in doing so she revolutionized biological science and the importance of primates in the great scheme of things. Easy-reading picture book biographies such as this excellent example help beginning readers move from ABC, counting books, and fairy tales to nonfiction and to chapter books. "I am Jane Goodall" cannot be praised too highly.

My step-daughter had the most wonderful idea for her baby shower. As she and her husband are established and well off financially, instead of "gifts" each guest was asked to bring to her shower a baby book in which they'd written a comment. As I'm a thousand miles away and couldn't attend that weekend, I scoured Amazon for "meaningful" baby books. I bought several, but this was my favorite. Being 64 years old, I well remember Jane Goodall's astonishing work. She was an amazing role model and she broke the mold in how she studied her chimpanzee troops. I am still breath-taken at the video of the baby chimpanzee's initiation of first-touch, his small finger reaching out to touch Jane's nose. This book is perfect. A surprisingly comprehensive, fun, well-written and excellent child's book. There will be horrific challenges for my grandchild's generation to attempt to save wildlife species from the damages we have done. Maybe this book will help to steer his life toward that protection.

I absolutely adore this series of books: the illustrations are sweet and cute, the stories are endearing and encouraging, they're not watered down or pandering to children but also not so complicated that kids can't understand. My daughter has many of these on her shelf and I will absolutely be buying more. Now on to the story of Jane, she is/was a very inspiring woman. She was courage and yes, some people may not agree with her methods but that's not for me to decide, she nonetheless can be an inspiration to young girls that want to achieve their dreams or explore the unknown.

I bought this for our grandsons (ages 3 1/2 & 6) in honor of "earth day" & Jane Goodall. I also made a point of reading it myself before dropping it off for them -- since I can't read it to them directly due to social distancing. The illustrations are visually appealing and the author incorporates information directly from JG's autobiographical writings. Having recently re-watched the National Geographic special on JG as well as a newer documentary that focuses on 3 pioneering female primatologists (including JG), I found this book to be genuine & authentic while still being accessible to very young children. I think it's extremely important to expose young boys (as well as girls) to profiles of females like JG who have managed to carve out unusual and independent career paths and who have had such a strong impact on environmental issues. Also, the next generation can only benefit by learning about humans who value their relationships with animals and nature as much (if not more than) their relationships with fellow humans. I hope to hear that the boys really enjoyed this book!

Good series for introducing kids to people who they should be able to recognize later in life

I LOVE Jane Goodall myself - I love her as female role model, but just a human being who just pursued her passion and moved the big needle. So when I saw this book suggested on Amazon, I bought it for my 4yo daughter. I wasn't expecting her to be moved by her story, but I thought that she might like it because she likes animal. It's not a short book, for the first time when I read the whole book, she said "that was a long book!". But then she asked me a while later that she wanted me to read the book, and I think so far I've read to her 3 times total or so. But to my surprise - when my mom came to our place and playing with my daughter, she was showing all her toys and books and she picked up this book and she said "Her name is Jane Goodall and she likes monkeys" - and I was like, "What did I just hear?!?!". I now realized the power of these books and the way we (as parents) bring these incredible human beings' stories into their lives. I will buy other books again.

Love the engaging kid friendly story of a real life. Love the message about following her gut and your own... to look out for others, whether person, animal, or nature itself.

I bought this because we lost school library one so I bought it and was perfect and good quality for the school

Beautiful story, maybe a bit too mature for my 4.5 year old. She loved it, but it also caused us to discuss important but difficult topics: why were girls not being allowed to study / only allowed to be nurses? (why Jane did not want to be a nurse?) why would someone think chimpanzees do not have feelings? (all questions asked by my daughter). So this book does its job brilliantly, however I would not recommend below 4.5 years old, even better for a bit older children.

This book is perfect. I went to see Dr. Goodall speak in person, and this book tells her story exactly as she did. The book is also very cute (the illustrations, etc.) , and informative as well. I am a teacher, and cannot wait to use this with my students!

Tem informações importantes, excelente qualidade dos materiais, mas a história é informativa, não chega a ser um conto ou historinha divertida ou com fundo moral... mas importante para informação dos pequenos.

Un libro chulisimo para que los niños aprendan

Wonderful book. Tells her story and very well illustrated. Sure to capture the young readers attention.