Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar [Paperback]

Kathryn Lasky (Author), Christopher G. Knight (Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Stunning photographs and evocative text take readers to far-off Madagascar. There, primatologist Alison Jolly dwells and works among lemurs. These fascinating primates live only on the island of Madagascar, where they socialize in troops--and where, like humans, they are often involved in power struggles and family disputes. Threats to the environment have endangered lemurs, but Dr. Jolly hopes that by studying these unusual animals she’ll discover ways for people to live in harmony with their distant primate cousins.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Deep in the forests of Madagascar, lemurs leap through tamarind trees. It is the only place on Earth where the animals, all 30 different species of them, live. Lasky begins this attractive photo-essay by examining the origins and characteristics of the animals, then joins researchers in the field. She describes the work of Malagasy students working with primatologist Alison Jolly, who has studied the animals for 30 years, making new discoveries and dispelling myths about them. The scientist is also searching for clues that these unique creatures offer about the origins of primate life. Knight's excellent-quality, full-color photographs fill the pages with landscapes, close-ups, and lemur interaction. The fluid, but nonlinear text will appeal to nature lovers with some background in the subject matter.
Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. In this informative look at an unusual animal, Lasky introduces readers to the lifestyles and habits of lemurs by following primatologist Alison Jolly and her team of researchers. Interesting comparisons between lemurs and humans are drawn along the way: packs claim turf using tactics similar to gang warfare; a mother lemur grieves when a baby is killed. The researchers' awe and wonder will captivate readers, as will their tracking methods. But the real attraction is the furry curiosities themselves. Photos contributed by Christopher Knight perfectly capture the creatures, though the book's lackluster design doesn't do the pictures justice. The afterword, which explains how the lemurs figure into Madagascar's ecological balance, might have been better placed at the front of the book, but that won't stop animal lovers from enjoying the latest effort by a respected writer-photographer team. Kathleen Squires --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; 1st edition (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152002812
• ISBN-13: 978-0152002817
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,641,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi Readers! Thanks for coming by my author page. I've written all sorts of books - from fantasy about animals to books about science. One of my favorite animal fantasy series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, is a major motion picture. I liked writing about Ga'Hoole so much that I decided to revisit that world in a new series, Wolves of the Beyond. Visit my website, www.kathrynlasky.com to see a slide show about the real wolves I researched for the series and for the latest update on the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie. All my best, Kathryn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book to introduce children to the joys of research., March 19, 1998

By 

George W. Williams (Santa Barbara, Ca.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar (Paperback)

I think the best part of the book is that it shows children the fun and excitement of doing primate research in the wild. It shows why Alison Jolly has returned to the same piece of forest for the last 30 years. It balances that by displaying some of the sorrow when you cannot help a dying animal.

And of course, it describes Lemur catta social organization at a level which should be entertaining to children, and mentions briefly some of the other lemurs found in Berenty reserve.

The book is nicely illustrated with photographs on every page.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok, but..., July 2, 2009

By 

Melissa (Marion, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows in the Dawn: The Lemurs of Madagascar (Paperback)

This book is very nice, with wonderful information and pictures. However, at the end, the authors writes of the death of a baby lemur by falling. While I understand this is how life is, I am not sure all young children are ready for a picture of a dead baby lemur with it's distraught mother.