Animal Feelings (The Secret Life of Animals) [Paperback]

Sylvia Funston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: The Secret Life of Animals

Do animals cry? Do they experience love, jealousy and anger? Most animals cannot describe their feelings but they do seem to have an emotional life, even if it is a secret one. We can't tell for certain what animals are feeling, but we can learn more and more about their intriguing world by studying how they behave and comparing their actions to our own.

Animal Feelings is the second title in The Secret Life of Animals series. In this fascinating book, children are introduced to animals from around the world, and to amazing new research on animal behavior. Author Sylvia Funston combines scientific theories with incredible real-life stories that show animals acting as if they are afraid or happy, ashamed or sad, cruel or kind.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-A look at animal behavior and the emotions that might motivate specific behaviors. The introductory material makes it clear that our understanding of animal emotions is speculative. However, Funston firmly believes that animals are deserving of and must be treated with compassion and respect. Both wild and domestic animals are included. Anecdotes and general information are grouped into chapters called "Feeling Bad," "Feeling Good," and "Feeling for Others." These touching and thought-provoking stories, along with some information on research, speak eloquently for the nobility and sensitivity of animals. The pages are arranged into large blocks of print with smaller blocks serving as captions and sidebars. The book is generously illustrated with full-color photographs and a few sketches. A paragraph near the end discusses some things children can do to protect animal rights. Some chapters from Jeffrey M. Masson and Susan McCarthy's adult book When Elephants Weep (Delacorte, 1995) would be a good follow-up for older readers.
Jean Pollock, King Country Library System, Seattle, WA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

paper 1-895688-81-7 If a dolphin looks like it is having fun, or a cat appears to enjoy torturing a mouse before a kill, is there any way humans can discern if the animals are experiencing emotions? There's still much scientists don't know, but in recent years, the longstanding belief that animals don't have emotions has been challenged. This is especially true in studies involving animals with higher levels of intelligence, e.g., chimps, dolphins, and crows. Funston explores incidents in which an imals seemed to display emotion; she is level-headed in her approach, explaining how dolphins smile (it's all in the shape of their mouths) and how cats batting mice around are simply programmed to hunt. Other cases may not be so clear-cut. There are fasc inating examples, e.g., of chimp self-awareness when they recognize their own reflections in the mirror, of animals ``helping'' others, and some evidence of hope, fear, and other emotions that were previously considered solely the province of humans. Larg e full-color photographs and illustrations display some of the intriguing possibilities of animals and the prospect of their ``emotions.'' Guaranteed to be a hit. (index) (Nonfiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights re served.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Maple Tree Press (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1895688825
• ISBN-13: 978-1895688825
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,800,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)