Orozco, Rebeca. It’s Our Nature.

Orozco, Rebeca.   It’s Our Nature.  Tundra Books  24p   $14.99    978-1-77049-283-7 2012  elem  E-BN        Science    

This is a delightful exploration of the character traits that the animal kingdom supposedly shares with humanity -- altruism, a sense of community, generosity, responsibility, trust, commitment, solidarity, brotherhood and tolerance.  While recognizing that this is a book about animals and their communities, what it really is to me is a beautiful and delightful book about humanity’s best traits ... the core values that make us better people.  Using some of the most interesting creatures found in the animal kingdom, the author really explains and explores these values to her readers.  Every person in the world should read this book, to recall the better part of themselves, or, if it is lost, to reclaim it.  The simply rendered illustrations fully enhance the text – this is anthropomorphism at its literary best.  Librarians, parents and grandparents will love reading this book to youngsters, and I’m certain that youngsters will love listening and eventually reading the book themselves.  It’s Our Nature is the kind of book that moves forward in the generations of a family.  Love it!        

Animals                                                     --Lynn Fisher