Me . . . Jane by Patrick Mcdonnell

Summary: 
In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true.

Genre: Nonfiction
All information is factual. The scope is appropriate because the intended audience is younger children. The terminology is appropriate due to the audience. Also, the illustration attracts young readers in because of its cartoonish features.

Activities: 
Local Endangered Species. Jane Goodall is a fervent advocate for the preservation of endangered species. Use the website of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (below) to identify endangered species in your area. How did these species come to be endangered? What efforts are being made to preserve the species? Ask students to consider what steps they might take to support the efforts.

Pursuing Dreams. Jane Goodall knew from an early age the work to which she wanted to devote her life. Ask your students to think and write about a dream that they have and to consider what they might need to do to achieve that dream. You might choose to make a class big book in which each student has a page to describe their goals.


About the Author:
Patrick McDonnell is the creator of the beloved internationally syndicated comic strip MUTTS, which features the characters that star in five of his children's picture books: Wag!, The Gift of Nothing, Just Like Heaven, South, and Hug Time. He is also the creator of Me . . . Jane, a Caldecott Honor Book and New York Times bestselling picture book biography of Dr. Jane Goodall, and has written and illustrated the award-winning picture book Art.

Personal Response: 
Jane Goodall is a person that has greatly interested me ever since I was a young child. I used to read books about her all the time. I enjoyed this picture book because it focused on Jane's childhood and how she became the humanitarian she is today.

Citation: 
McDonnell, P. (2011). Me.. jane. New York: Little Brown & Co.