With your class, read a letter written by. This discovery changed the way that we understand both animals and ourselves. Jane Goodall was the first person to observe chimpanzees creating and using toolsa trait that, at that time, was thought to be distinctly human. Upper grade school students can gain more information from the notes at the end. Photograph courtesy of Michael 'Nick' Nichols/National Geographic Creative. As a child, she loved studying animals and nature. The text is fairly simple for young readers to follow as well and the illustrations can help them along. Goodall says she always wanted to grow up and observe animals in Africa. Suggested Ages – Young readers will enjoy imagining themselves as a curious five-year-old developing into a “watcher”. This is just one of the many great biographical picture books that Winter has written – other favorites of mine are Wangari’s Trees of Peace and Follow the Drinking Gourd.

Her focus on Jane’s perseverance and patience helps the reader to realize just how amazing her career has been. Winter own playful illustrations bring brightness to the story, including the sadder parts like when Jane falls ill or the chimpanzees are in danger from hunters. After the story, Winter provides a bit more detail about Goodall’s life including the roots of her own fascination with Jane. The excerpts from her journals punctuate the story and give the reader insight into what it would be like to study these wild animals. She traces her talent for observation and her interest in Africa from Goodall’s childhood through her career as a scientist. It is a great book for adults as well as children to learn about Jane Goodall who possibly is the best friend a chimpanzee could ever have The Watcher was.

Winter cleverly starts the story when little Jane Goodall is just five years old, the same age as many readers of her book. I recently saw the wonderful documentary, Jane, and came home to re-read Jeanette Winter’s picture book, The Watcher, to my girls.

The watcher jane goodall