Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me...Jane. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. 

Jane and her cherished stuffed toy chimpanzee, Jubilee, spend their days outdoors exploring and observing the wonders of nature.  Jane learns everything she can by watching the animals and studying the plants in her own backyard, and reading lots of books.  One of Jane's favorite books is about Tarzan of the Apes and as she reads and rereads it she imagines herself living in the jungles of Africa, helping all animals.  Young Jane is tucked into bed one night and awakens years later to her dream that has come true.  The end of the book includes a page of information about Jane Goodall's life and her accomplishments, as well as a message from Jane herself.

Evaluation Criteria: Design

This book with its simplistic style and colorful images is attractive, inviting and readable and would make a wonderful text to introduce young children to the genre of biographies.  The text on each page is minimal and non-threatening to even the earliest stage of reader.  The childlike cartoon illustrations allow children to relate to Jane and imagine what her life as a child was like.  The etchings throughout the book pay homage to her passion for science and nature, plus there are even a few drawings and notes done by Jane as a child.  The photograph of the real Jane with a tiny chimp in the forest of Africa and the closing line “to awake one day to her dream come true” is truly powerful.

Lesson Plans for use with Me...Jane

Read Aloud of Me...Jane