Animal Feelings

Patricia Morley is professor emerita of English and Canadian Studies at
Concordia University and an avid outdoor recreationist. She is also the
author of The Mountain Is Moving: Japanese Women’s Lives, Kurlek, and
Margaret Laurence: The Long Journey Hom

There are some scientists who insist that animals can neither reason nor
feel the emotions we think of as “human.” Award-winning science
author Sylvia Funston takes issue with that position and draws upon such
authorities as Jane Goodall and Konrad Lorenz to support her arguments.
She begins by noting that scientists who study bird and mammal brains
have found that animals have “emotion command centres” similar to
those found in humans.

The text is divided into three chapters entitled “Feeling Bad,”
“Feeling Good,” and “Feeling for Others.” The layout is
effective: relatively short paragraphs interspersed with numerous color
photographs of varying sizes—a format that catches and holds the
reader’s attention. Funston’s technique of using questions and
answers, along with lively examples of her points, is also effective.

Children who understand the range and intensity of animal emotions will
be more likely to respect and care for animals. This excellent book will
help them to gain that understanding. Highly recommended.