The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

Jeanette Winter is one of the finest creators of picture book biographies for young readers and this tribute to the great scientist Jane Goodall is among her finest works. Biography is a super transition from picture book story fare to nonfiction chapter books for young readers. With spare but vital text and outstanding illustrations the author reveals the life of one of the most remarkable persons in the world of scientific inquiry in the past fifty years. Here also is a story of courage of a woman rising to the top of a knowledge pyramid more frequently dominated by men. Any young reader who loves animals and admires the people who study them will find this biography to be an instant favorite. Winters equally balances Goodall's life of scholarship with her work as a global activist among young people. This is a choice book about a truly inspiring individual.

The story is accessible; the illustrations compellingMy daughter (5) adores this book. She “reads” it to her stuffed animals every night. I purchased a second copy to gift to a school so that others might be equally inspired!

Well written with great illustration. My 8 year old devoured the book in minutes.

I used this book with second through fifth graders to discuss how Jane Goodall encompasses the "global learning" focus of our school. My students loved the story and illustrations, and loved learning about how chimps are so similar to humans. My older students were able to have amazing discussions about how Jane investigated the world around her, how she effectively communicated her ideas to the public, and how she worked to preserve Gombe. The writing itself is simple enough that my younger students could easily follow along, but the topics were complex enough to engage my older students. Wonderful book!

I bought this book for my daughter's second birthday. While this book is meant for older children, both my daughter and my 4 year-old son love this book. We have been reading it almost every night for the last several weeks. The pictures are beautiful and interesting for young children (my kids love looking for all the chimps hiding in the trees). It is a simple story that my 4-year old can understand. I think this book will help inspire a love of nature and respect for animals in my children, and it provides an example of a strong, independent female role model for my daughter.

My four-year-old daughter loves this book and we have been reading it every night for almost two weeks now. She was so impressed with Jane's story that we watched the documentary about Jane Goodall. So we love the book.

This book will inspire children to stand up, quietly but firmly, to take action on behalf of our precious planet and all her creatures. Excellent contribution to literature for children.

Good, not great but good. Strong female protagonist and based on a real life person to boot. Good old Jane Goodall. What's not to love? Read it to my 2yr old & 5 year old. We enjoy and my oldest was very concerned about forest clearing and chimp habitats on our last reading. That was kind of cool. Art is fine. Get it for your kids!

Bright, colourful and informative book about Jane Goodall and her work not only with chimpanzees but also with encouraging conservation efforts. I have read this with several Year Four classes which have appreciated the book.

My 7 year old daughter loves to hear stories about Jane. Great book and lovely pictures

I love it!

My kids favourite book, over and over again we read this!

An inspiring book for young children. 👍😀