From the Publisher
* "This eye-opening, cogent, and well-structured volume will enlighten students to both the richness of the animal kingdom and the nature of intelligence itself."— Booklist, STARRED review "Castaldo (The Story of Seeds) presents a thought-provoking look at the minds and perceptions of animals, as well as the way human understanding of the subject has evolved..." —Publishers Weekly "The information is conveyed in an enticing way that is sure to spark the interest of aspiring naturalists and researchers... A fascinating take on animal science for tween and teen zoologists."— School Library Journal
School Library Journal
12/01/2017
Gr 7 Up—Castaldo explores animal cognition through such topics as empathy, communication, and social interactions. She maintains that animals are not so different from humans—humans are animals, after all. Ants take slaves, monkeys steal, dogs are jealous, and elephants can be deceptive. Castaldo surmises that animals think, communicate, and feel much like humans do. The book's intended audience is unclear, however. At times it seems that the focus is for younger listeners, yet there are some high-level topics (e.g., self-awareness and empathy) as well as vocabulary that make it seem geared toward an older audience. Narrator Charon Normand-Widmer's voice is almost rhythmic, and she pronounces species and researcher's names effortlessly. VERDICT The volume of cited experiments and research is disorienting. Frequent sidebar quips, denoted by a soft tone at the beginning and end are also disorienting and do not add value. A fascinating topic that slightly misses the mark.—April Everett, Rowan County Information Technology, NC
MAY 2017 - AudioFile
In this fascinating nonfiction audiobook, Castaldo discusses an array of scientific research on animal cognition in a language accessible to young people. The production opens with a spritely melody and an introduction that explains how brain size in relation to body size may impact intelligence. Charon Normand-Widmer narrates at a pace that is easy to follow. Her delivery is straightforward, and she lets the facts carry their own weight. A tone sounds, alerting the listener to facts or anecdotes, making it easier for to tune into the conclusions reached in the studies. Useful suggestions and resources are also provided for students interested in trying their own research. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
