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CM . . . . Volume XXII Number 38 . . . . June 3, 2016
excerpt:
Part of the six-volume "Amazing Primates" series in the AV² collection, Chimpanzees and Gorillas provide general information about the history, habitat, food, life cycle, physical adaptations, conservation, and myths and legends related to the featured animal. In addition, there is an activity for readers to try. An attractive cover and layout, as well as interesting trivia, vivid colour photographs and illustrations add to the books' appeal. A table of contents, a glossary, an index and a quiz are provided. The books are fairly short, having only 21 pages of actual facts, but the information is supplemented by the AV² media-enhanced aspect of the series. AV refers to "added value audio visual". In order to access the AV² aspect of the books, readers must log in to the AV² web page and enter the book's unique code which is found on the second page. A further security step is involved in which readers must answer a question about the book in order to continue. Once the final step is complete, readers will find 10 different activities (one for each double-page spread) to try. These include videos, fill in the blank pages, labelling activities, web links to zoos and conservation organizations, and writing an expository paragraph. In this particular series, the inclusion of the AV² activities somewhat expands the size of the target audience at the upper end of the age range. Chimpanzees belong to the same family as gorillas and orangutans. They are social animals and one of few animals that can see colour or recognize themselves in a mirror. Chimps have not only learned to use tools- leaves become sponges or spoons for drinking water, rocks become nutcrackers, and sticks are used to dig grubs out of a log or honey from a hive- but many chimps in captivity have also learned sign language and how to use a computer. In Chimpanzees, there is mention of Dr. Jane Goodall's work with chimps, but, sadly, this information is limited to a single sentence. More about Dr. Goodall's research and conservation efforts would have been beneficial. Even the first video, which describes Goodall's visit to the Houston Zoo in 2010, is far too brief. Other AV² activities include a video in which chimps use long sticks in order to get termites from a termite mound, web links to the San Diego Zoo, the African Wildlife Federation and the World Wildlife Federation, and a few fill in the blank worksheets. Living only in the forests of Africa, gorillas are the largest of the apes. They live in troops of one to four silverbacks (adult males), females and young. For their body size, gorillas have large brains which enable them to have good problem-solving skills and an excellent memory. Gorillas dispels some of the myths people have about this shy, gentle giant. The experiment at the back of the book demonstrates the importance of humans having opposable thumbs. Participants perform a number of tasks as they would normally, then try the activities again, but this time with their thumbs taped to the first finger of each hand. AV² activities are very similar to those included in Chimpanzees. Of some note is the first video which shows curious gorillas at play in a zoo, and the final web link which has a good photo gallery and additional videos. Recommended. Gail Hamilton is a former teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB. Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
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