From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8-Deep in the forests of Madagascar, lemurs leap through tamarind trees. It is the only place on Earth where the animals, all 30 different species of them, live. Lasky begins this attractive photo-essay by examining the origins and characteristics of the animals, then joins researchers in the field. She describes the work of Malagasy students working with primatologist Alison Jolly, who has studied the animals for 30 years, making new discoveries and dispelling myths about them. The scientist is also searching for clues that these unique creatures offer about the origins of primate life. Knight's excellent-quality, full-color photographs fill the pages with landscapes, close-ups, and lemur interaction. The fluid, but nonlinear text will appeal to nature lovers with some background in the subject matter.
Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Booklist
Gr. 4^-6. In this informative look at an unusual animal, Lasky introduces readers to the lifestyles and habits of lemurs by following primatologist Alison Jolly and her team of researchers. Interesting comparisons between lemurs and humans are drawn along the way: packs claim turf using tactics similar to gang warfare; a mother lemur grieves when a baby is killed. The researchers' awe and wonder will captivate readers, as will their tracking methods. But the real attraction is the furry curiosities themselves. Photos contributed by Christopher Knight perfectly capture the creatures, though the book's lackluster design doesn't do the pictures justice. The afterword, which explains how the lemurs figure into Madagascar's ecological balance, might have been better placed at the front of the book, but that won't stop animal lovers from enjoying the latest effort by a respected writer-photographer team. Kathleen Squires
