• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 8

From the book:
"We need to give them the respect they deserve, as our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom."

Long used in mass media entertainment, chimpanzees are recognized and loved by people of all ages. In spite of their popularity, chimpanzees are threatened by a disappearing habitat, poaching and disease. In 1984, demand for lab chimpanzees skyrocketed when scientists discovered that chimpanzees could be infected with HIV. Only four years later, the chimpanzee's status moved from threatened to endangered.

Chimpanzee Rescue explains the innovative strategies conservationists are using to prevent its demise.

While much is being accomplished through increased public awareness and conservation management, much needs to be done. The recent Ebola outbreak, a deadly virus that also affects humans, devastated chimp populations in central Africa. It's a grim reminder of how biologically similar our species are.

About the Firefly Animal Rescue series:

The Firefly Animal Rescue identifies endangered and threatened species and what is being done to protect them. Combining lively, accessible text and stunning color photographs, each book provides a detailed overview of the species, describing its characteristics, behavior, habits, physiology and more.

"These attractive books are a call to action... fascinating readable accounts."
- School Library Journal

"Succinct introductions to the science and practice of wildlife conservation... written in accessible, lively language."
- Booklist

Patricia Bow is the author of The Bone Flute (Orca, 2004), a fantasy novel for young people that was nominated for the Silver Birch and Red Cedar awards. Her other published books include The Spiral Maze (Thistledown Press, 1997), also a fantasy novel for kids, and Chimpanzee Rescue (Firefly Books, 2004), a non-fiction book that was chosen as an Honor Book by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Ruby Kingdom (Dundurn), the first book in a series, is due out in February 2007.
Patricia has been reading ever since the local library opened its magic doors for her and writing since she was old enough to hold a crayon. She uses a computer now instead of a crayon, but the thrill of the story hasn't changed. She writes what she loves to read: fiction with a strong flavour of the strange and mysterious, anchored by down-to-earth heroes.
Over the years she has worked as a librarian, a press reader for a clipping service, and a reporter at a small-town newspaper. Now she works in communications at the University of Waterloo. By day she writes serious prose; by night she maps new worlds of the imagination.
Patricia Bow lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband Eric and a small but fierce grey tabby named Pooka. She is a member of CANSCAIP (the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers).
Email: pabow@gto.net
Website: http://home.golden.net/~thebows/patricia.htm

Patricia Bow's profile page

Young readers will be inspired by the leading scientists and conservationists in the field... who are working to help chimpanzees survive.

Wildlife Conservation

Award winning... With beautiful photography and inspiring examples of individuals passionately devoted to wildlife conservation, these are excellent resource for the classroom or school library.

Green Teacher

Illustrated fast fact section... stunning, full-color photographs bring each species to life and depict a number of individuals inn the field and laboratory working to save these animals... excellent index. These attractive books are a call to action.

School Library Journal

One can't read this book without admiring the dedication of those people working to save another creature on the brink of extinction.

Canadian Materials

Sets the stage for stories of hope through human actions... a good primer of information about chimpanzees and bonobos.

Science Books and Films

Very well organized... numerous photographs serve the dual purpose of adding visual appeal and bringing the text to life... a valuable resource in any school library.

Resource Links

[review of series:] Anyone interested in learning more about endangered animals will find these books fascinating... This series will make a strong addition to any school library.

Library Media Connection