Do Animals Have Feelings Too? by David L. Rice, Illustrated by Trudy Calvert

About the Book

Do Animals Have Feelings, Too? Until recently most scientists didn't think so. They thought that most animals behave instinctively - that they don't have feelings such as happiness, sadness, grief, vengefulness, or compassion.

Many scientists are now changing their minds. Close observation of animals is tending to show that animals may have feelings quite similar to human feelings. This collection of true animal behavior, witnessed by naturalists and others, is both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Book Excerpt
A young Chicago couple dediced to take their three-year-old son to the Brookfield Zoo for a family outing. When his parents were not looking, the active youngster climbed over a railing and fell two stories down into the gorilla pen, hitting his head. As the helpless child lay injured and unconscious, a young gorilla mother named Binti scooped up the hurt boy, and cradled him in her arms. She then carried him to the door of the pen and gently laid him where the zookeepers could rescue him. He was taken, still unconscious, to a hospital where after four days he completely recovered. If it had not been for Binti, he might not have been so luck. Thousands of people have visitied the Brookfield Zoo to see the "compasionate gorilla."

Curriculum Components
Animal Studies
Emotional Intelligence
Character Education

Reviews

"...This is an excellent resource for parents and teachers looking for ways to initiate discussions with children about what qualities are important to us -- human and animal." ~American Booksellers Association "Kids' Pick of the Lists" (April 2000)

"This book for ages 4-12 explores recent scientific observations that says animals have feelings quite similar to human feelings. The book provides many often heartwarming examples of animal behavior that kids can relate to." ~Clearing Magazine (Fall 2000)

About the Author / Illustrator

When David Rice was seven years old, he observed a small dog trying to wake its mother which had been killed by a passing car. As he watched the grieving puppy's vain attempts, he was struck by the depth of sadness and pain. David's lifelong interest in feelings - both animal and human - comes through in his books, Do Animals Have Feelings Too?, Lifetimes and Because Brian Hugged His Mother. Lifetimes introduces some of nature's longest, shortest and most unusual lifetimes and the lessons we can learn from them. Because Brian Hugged His Mother shows how a chain reaction of kindness can spread through a whole school and community as a result of a single hug. David Rice is retired elementary and special education teacher, currently residing in southern California.

Trudy Calvert grew up in a rural, wooded area, near a creek where some of her first friends were tadpoles, minnows, ducks, squirrels and snakes. She raised a baby robin, and later a coyote pub that had been hit by a car. As an art teacher, and now as a full time professional artist, Trudy has a passionate love of nature and animals. She is past president of the Indiana Wildlife Artists, a group that promotes wildlife art. Often she can sense what animals are feeling and responds without needing spoken words. Do Animals Have Feelings Too? is Trudy's first book with Dawn Publications.

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