Nancy Roe-Pimm

Do you like to learn interesting facts about our close cousin the gorilla? Nancy Roe Pimm’s book The Heart of the Beast is the book for you if you really do enjoy true gorilla stories and facts. The eight amazing stories in this book will open your mind and give you new insight into the lives of these magnificent beasts. The interesting facts that are found after each story provide an even deeper look into what these creatures are and how they live.
The first story is about Binti Jua and it show more asks this question: Is the maternal instinct in gorillas as strong as it is in humans, or is it just natural instinct? Binti Jua rescues a young boy when he falls into her habitat. Onlookers are horrified and then amazed by what happens. Also, did you know that adult gorillas have the same number of hairs per square inch as humans?
The third story is about Willie B, a captured gorilla who loves to watch people and to chew gum. Willie B was given a television for his twenty-fifth birthday, but still he would rather watch the visitors to the zoo. Three decades after capture, Willie B lost his solitary life and gained a couple of female gorilla friends. In 2000 Willie B, died and a memorial was quickly built in his honor. Willie gives us a story of hope that gorillas in capture can live long and healthy lives. Also, did you know that gorillas build nests to sleep in?
A rare white gorilla is the center of the fourth story. Snowflake has a rare genetic disorder that stops pigment growth known as Albinism. First raised by humans and then sent to a zoo, Snowflake gained a friend at age four. Neither gorilla showed any sign of caring what color the other was, a good lesson for all of us. Also, did you know that the estimated life span of a gorilla is up to fifty years?
Koko’s story of friendship is the fifth one. Koko, who learned sign language and could respond to spoken language, adopted a young male kitten as her own. She treated him as if he were her own baby. When her “baby” kitten died of old age, Koko got another one. Koko’s story is one of friendship and learning. Numerous books have been written about Koko, most notably, Koko’s Kitten. Also, did you know that gorillas can learn sign language but cannot talk?
The final story is one of farewell. Babs who was the matriarch of her troop, died of kidney disease at 30 years of age. The zookeepers allowed a “funeral” viewing for the gorilla troop and found that each member said good bye in his or her own way, much as humans do. Also, did you know that many people believe that gorillas are just unfeeling beasts?
In learning about the different ways that these amazing gorillas communicate and show how they care for each other, maybe you can decide for yourself if they are just ferocious beasts, or if they are more like humans than we currently think. Reviewed by Michelle, Three Rivers Public Library show less