Review: The Tapir Scientist

The Tapir Scientist

Sy Montgomery & Nic Bishop

I wouldn’t classify myself as an animal lover. I wouldn’t say that I don’t like animals, I’m just not the kind of person who’s interested in reading about them. You would think this would especially hold true when that animal’s claim to fame is that it eats and poops. Yep, that’s what makes the tapir (tay-peer) special; it eats and then it poops. But this is Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop we’re talking about here, the Jordan/Pippen of children’s non-fiction. So even though I’m not the greatest audience for this genre, I was riveted throughout the entire book. 

Non-fiction is often seen in two major categories within classroom instruction. You have your solely expository NF and then there’s the creative NF. Teachers separate these styles to help kids focus on elements of non-fiction that are more dominant in expository text. But like I mentioned, this is Montgomery and Bishop, two folks who can weave together the most exceptional of stories while churning out rich information through both traditional text features as well as completely inventive inserts.

For those not familiar with the Scientists in the Field series, they are the cream of the crop in craft and in content and The Tapir Scientist is another welcome addition. This is so much more than a book about the tapir. Throughout the traditional chapter structure of the book, Sy and Nic thoroughly examine both the how and the why of a scientific expedition. Tapir Scientist succeeds because Sy Montgomery’s ability to unfold an extreme amount of information in a manner that’s complete accessible to young readers. 

You know you’re reading a Sy Montgomery book when you go from apathetic to enthralled in one page. The book was lying around my office when a student walked in, pointed to it at the table and said, “Did you know those things haven’t changed since the [Miocene]?” I lit up at this. neither of us could remember the exact name of the era but we both knew it was the time of saber-toothed cats. This student had watched a program about the tapir on Animal Planet while I had only read a page, yet we both held on to the same astounding nugget of information. It represents a tactful understanding of a young audience. Authors wow ‘em early on build the trust needed for readers to persevere through the more complex parts. And complex they are.

Students may be used to non-fiction that separates information in little, focused sub-topics, but Tapir scientist works so well because the author integrates everything from the animal’s habitat to the background of the scientists who study them. When you hear about a girl who never wanted dolls because she’d rather just play in the forest, the reader gains that much more of an interest in the grueling task of locating a tapir, and consequently, the importance of the environmental conditions in which they work. After seeing how heavily one aspect is related to the next, you easily gain a deep appreciation for how artfully this information is stitched together. It suddenly makes it much easier to understand why students may have trouble recalling information from texts that segment their topics into what is supposed to be easily digestible little chunks. 

This attention to context truly enables a reader who doesn’t really care about animals to appreciate why this goofy looking mammal’s bowel movements are essential to its ecosystem and to the planet’s greater health. Kids are often directed towards choosing books from a topic of interest. It makes conventional sense. When you’re trying to apply comprehension skills, it makes it easier when you have a grasp of the content. But, it’s the books that take a topic we don’t think we have an interest in and turn it into a topic that we didn’t know we were interested in, that create a special sweet spot within the learning zone. Students who are compelled by the fascination that comes with expertly crafted approach to a topic gain that much more of an appreciation for not only the nuances of the text, but for all of the components that convey information about the subject. 

Speaking of, at one point I found myself reverting back to the habits I picked up in school. At the ends of the chapters there are special inserts that provide the reader more context. So, I skipped over them. The first chapter dedicates a page to each of the scientists involved in the expedition. By some stroke of luck, I caught myself in the act of flipping and decided that, at least for the first one, I’d give them a try. I am very glad that I did. These sections are a crucial example why this book and this author are a cut above. On Pati’s (lead scientist) first expedition her assistants were all men and they had bet that Pati wouldn’t be strong enough to do the work. Dorthee has an entire room of her house dedicated to aquariums that house colorful poison-dart frogs. Gabriel sews his own camouflage and designs his own equipment. Not only are the inserts so fascinating that they compelled me to read on. Knowing that Gabriel designed his own system for retrieving tranquilizer darts enhanced my apprehension when the time came for him to apply it in the field.

My only question about this book lies in just a few placements of photographs. Make no mistake, when you pick up a Scientists in the Field you can be assured of great design and this is no exception. Bishop’s images alternate between capturing the majesty of the Pantanal and portraying the daily life of the expedition and the participants. Maps and diagrams are elegantly drawn and even charts and graphs enhance the reader’s understanding of the scientific process. At times there were pictures of wildlife that weren’t discussed in the text until several pages afterwards. Even if a young reader doesn’t stop to decode the name of a new animal, when word appears next to the image and then in the text they’re able to associate the two. I’d have for them to scan over the name without associating it with what it looks like. 

The Tapir Scientist showcases a well crafted a non-fiction text about a a scientific field study. It combines all of the story elements that enable fiction readers to invest in a book. Each factual bit, both about the scientific process and the subject, becomes that much more enthralling. Anecdotes from the expedition kept me alternating between laughter and sheer excitement. On the very first page of the book, Sy Montgomery recounts the sentiment of long-ago traveler, “…a world not yet mature enough for its [tapir’s] wisdom.” After spending so much time with these ancient animals, building this goofy looking creature’s place in our world, she concludes the book by expressing that until the world is ready for it’s wisdom we need to protect them. Quite a nice artistic touch. But, this is an author who knows her audience. So the fact that the quote crops up earlier in the last chapter shouldn’t come a surprise.