Product Description

The ability to make and use tools is one trait that distinguishes chimps and humans from other primates. Young chimpanzees play and learn under the watchful eyes of their mothers. They learn all the skills they need to survive in the wild. During one lesson, a young chimp watches its mother tear off a branch, remove the leaves, put it in a termite hole, and pull it out covered with deliciously juicy termites. The chimp takes up the challenge to find its own just right stick to use as a tool for hunting these tasty treats. After trial and error, the young chimp savors the sweet taste of success when it licks the delectable snacks off its very own stick. Exquisitely detailed and scientifically-accurate illustrations by author-illustrator, Michele Coxon, extend the information in the print. At the end of the book, she includes facts about chimpanzees, as well as illustrations of chimp anatomy and of the interior of a termite nest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2548101 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—A young chimpanzee is rewarded with a tasty treat once he figures out how to fish termites out of their nest. Simple text and realistic paintings follow Little Chimp and his mother through a day in which the youngster emulates his mother's use of a handy tool. Coxton supplies moments of humor in Little Chimp's facial expressions as he goes through trial and error to find just the right stick for the job. His satisfying accomplishment is followed by bedtime in his mother's arms atop a tall tree. Carefully crafted, this picture-book introduction to tool-using chimps could work as a read-aloud story or as independent reading for young animal fans. A list of facts is followed by useful drawings of a chimp hand and foot with an explanation of how they compare to those of humans and a labeled cutaway of a termite nest. The one shortfall occurs in the final invitation to help save these animals that names two organizations but gives no contact information.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
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Review
A young chimpanzee is rewarded with a tasty treat once he figures out how to fish termites out of their nest. Simple text and realistic paintings follow Little Chimp and his mother through a day in which the youngster emulates his mother s use of a handy tool. Coxon supplies moments of humor in Little Chimp s facial expressions as he goes through trial and error to find just the right stick for the job. His satisfying accomplishment is followed by bedtime in his mother s arms atop a tall tree. Carefully crafted, this picture-book introduction to tool-using chimps could work as a read-aloud story or as independent reading for young animal fans. A list of facts is followed by useful drawings of a chimp hand and foot with an explanation of how they compare to those of humans and a labeled cutaway of a termite nest. --School Library Journal

About the Author
Michele Coxon is a renowned illustrator, animal artist and sculptor. Her books have sold over a million copies worldwide. She has lived in Ireland, Wales, and now lives in England with eight cats, one dog and a crow.

Customer Reviews

Thoughtful picturebook, wondrously enhanced by vivid color artwork
Termites on a Stick: A Chimp Learns to Use a Tool is a children's picturebook about a young chimp who learns how to use a stick to fish out and eat tasty termites, through watching his mother as well as trial and error. A few pages of scientific facts about chimpanzees round out this thoughtful picturebook, wondrously enhanced by vivid color artwork in a realistic style. Especially recommended to help young fans of apes and chimpanzees get more interested in the joy of reading!