Primates

March 25, 2013
Ottaviani(Feynman) examines the lives and scientific work of the three great primatologists of the 1960s, as they intersect through mutual mentor Louis Leakey. The book begins with a young Goodall, who is fascinated by Tarzan (and is jealous of âthe other Janeâ), as sheâs drawn into research by Leakey, who believes that women make better researchers than men due to their observational skills . Fossey and Galdikas have similar stories, studying gorillas and orangutans respectively. The women make groundbreaking discoveries in primatology, forever changing scientistsâ views of humansâ closest relatives while battling obstaclesâfrom poachers to government obstruction. Ottaviani succeeds in capturing their hard work and the thrilling breakthroughs during years of research, without looking away from some of the darker details, such as Leakeyâs womanizing. Wicksâs cartoony illustrations are a great match for the story; they never get bogged down with unnecessary details and briskly move forward the account of the women and their subjects. A riveting, jargon-free overview of one of the great stories of animal research.

April 1, 2013
Veteran science writer Ottaviani (Feynman, 2011, etc.) teams up with illustration newcomer Wicks in this semifictionalized overview of the "Trimates," three women primatologists championed by Louis Leakey. The book opens with Goodall's cozy first-person account of her childhood dreams of studying animals in Africa, her recruitment by Leakey, the establishment of her long-term chimpanzee study in Nigeria and her key discoveries regarding chimpanzee behavior. The narrative then shifts from Goodall to Leakey's other protegees, Fossey and Galdikas, and their influential research on, respectively, gorillas and orangutans. Fossey and Galdikas also tell their own tales in distinct, often funny, voices. Wicks' cheerful drawings complement the women's stories by highlighting their humorous moments. However, the simplicity of Wicks' rounded figures and flat backgrounds make the panels documenting primate behavior less effective than they could be. Another weakness is the text's tendency to summarize when more scientific and biographical detail would be welcome. For example, the final chapter covers the later stages of the Trimates' careers but only briefly addresses the circumstances surrounding Fossey's death. Readers looking for more substantial biographies or science should seek out other sources after whetting their appetites here. More story than study, the book provides an accessible introduction to Goodall's, Fossey's and Galdikas' lives and work. (afterword, bibliography) (Graphic novel. 10-14)

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May 1, 2013

Gr 7 Up-This engaging graphic novel (part story, part group biography) introduces readers to three unique women whose different personalities and lives intersected because of their love of primates. They would never have met without the guidance of Louis Leakey, an anthropologist who believed that women were better at studying animals in their native environment because they were more patient and perceptive than men. Over a period of several years, he recruited and inspired these women to study chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, and orangutans. The book jumps back and forth among the different narrators, so that each of the women and even Leakey are sharing their views about their work and about one another. In the afterword, Ottaviani explains how he and Wicks wanted to create a story rather than a textbook, and so they combined the facts with some imaginative fictionalizing. While this might not be the best resource for homework assignments, it is an enjoyable and informative read. The illustrations are lively and cartoonish, using a natural palette of browns and greens to tell the story. Overall, the graphic-novel format makes what could be a dry subject more appealing for young people. The story of how each of these women loved primates and lived among them to study their behavior is compelling, and might inspire a whole new generation of scientists to follow in their footsteps.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 Ottaviani's latest, after Feynman (2011), manages to compress the fascinating stories of three groundbreaking scientistsJane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birut' Galdikasinto a slim volume without skimping on their rich characters and joyful discoveries. Thanks to Wicks' colorful, lively, Herg'-like art, each scientist (and primate) has a distinct personality, but it's the depictions of the animalsemerging from lush, leafy backgrounds or lolling in treesthat steal the show. A chimp mugs to the viewer with a boastful, precocious grin, for instance, after Goodall observes it using a tool to forage for food. For all the playful mugging and gratifying discoveries, though, Ottaviani doesn't shy away from the struggles of living and working in the bush. Presented as dedicated, iconoclastic, and profoundly in awe of the creatures around them, Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas are inspiring figures, and Ottaviani does a first-rate job of dangling enough tantalizing tidbits to pique readers' interest in the topic. The actual science is a bit light, but an author's note strongly encourages further reading and includes resources.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)