Marsico, Katie. Chimpanzees.

Marsico, Katie.   Chimpanzees.  Scholastic/ Childrens Press  48P  $28.00  978-0-531-20910-3  elem  Series: Nature's Children (Scholastic/Childrens)

E-BNes           

This title in the Nature’s Children series deals with chimpanzees.  The text packs a great deal of information into the small number of pages.  Even though many facts are presented, the text is not intimidating to readers.  Each page is titled with a heading to help children find the information they desire, and a full-page photograph accompanies the text.  Whether it is a close-up or a photo showing the whole chimp, each photograph is bright, sharp and relevant to the text.

This title provides amazingly detailed information on chimpanzees.  It includes their characteristics, life cycles, habits and environment.  Also included is a brief description of their close relatives.  The impact of human behavior on wild chimpanzees and other threats to their survival and conservation efforts are also covered.
 

The glossary is very helpful.  There is a short list of resources and a simple index.  While these sections are short, they are adequate for the level of the text.
 

Altogether, it is a very inviting yet informative title.  The ten titles in the Nature’s Children series offer substantial but not intimidating quantities of specific information about the featured animal's characteristics, life cycles,  relatives, and natural and human threats to the species' survival.  They are perfect for students in grades 3-6, and are very highly recommended for elementary-school libraries.  They are great for readers just seeking information for themselves as well as for reports.             -- Joan Theal