Ninita's Big World

February 1, 2019
Ninita may be a deaf pygmy marmoset, but she makes the most of life in her big world.Ninita's big world is not the Amazon rainforest, the native habitat of pygmy marmosets, the smallest monkeys in the world, but the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation in Loxahatchee, Florida. Ninita was born deaf. She took in the sights and warmth of her habitat, but she could not "hear the hum of mosquitoes and dragonflies [or] her parents' voices." Her parents abandoned Ninita when she was just 3 weeks old. In Coleman's illustrations Ninita is adorable, with sad or happy eyes and cheerful expressions of wonderment as she finds a world of cuddly toys, warm blankets, ropes to climb on, and yogurt, rice pudding, and "fluffy whipped cream" to eat--this last licked from the tip of an enormous human finger that effectively demonstrates scale. She especially loves being groomed with a toothbrush. As she grows, she explores tall grass and dark caves (depicted as the hair of a white human caregiver and partially opened book, respectively). These adventures are made better when she's introduced into a new habitat and meets a new marmoset friend named Mr. Big to share them with. A lively if highly anthropomorphizing text and endearing digitally created illustrations combine to demonstrate how even the smallest creatures can "climb as high" and "jump just as fast" as their peers in a world that supports their efforts. The human hands shown could be white or brown. Young readers will love Ninita and learn to care about saving her habitat. (author's note, bibliography, fun facts) (Picture book. 4-7)

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March 4, 2019
Marsh introduces Ninita, a pygmy marmoset that was born deaf and taken in by human caregivers when her parents abandoned her after only three weeks. In Coleman’s cuddly, approachable art, Ninita is groomed with a toothbrush (“the bristles felt just like a mother’s claws”) and she peeks into the pages of a book and climbs up her caregiver’s pant leg. Finally, Ninita finds a friend in another pygmy marmoset brought into the house: “While Ninita couldn’t hear his chatter or whisper secrets to him, she could climb as high as he could and jump just as fast.” Though readers may not gain a clear sense of Ninita’s transition from the sanctuary to domestic life, Marsh’s author’s note includes valuable context. Photos of the real Ninita, and a description of the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation and its pygmy marmoset breeding program, conclude. Ages 4–7.

April 1, 2019

K-Gr 3-Marsh does a wonderful job telling the story of Ninita, a deaf pygmy marmoset, and how she interacts with the world around her. The plot of this book is simple, showing how Ninita was abandoned by her parents, how the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) raised her, and how she became friends with her caretakers, and eventually, other marmosets. The story, both educational and emotional, allows readers to learn more information about marmosets and Ninita through various context clues and images. Coleman's illustrations are adorable and help highlight Ninita's emotions at certain points of the story. They also help create the world around Ninita, so that readers can begin to understand the scope of her surroundings versus the world she wants to explore. Readers can learn more information about pygmy marmosets at the end of the book through both a detailed author's note and a fun facts page. While Marsh is not a scientist, she has clearly done her research and worked with the RSCF in order to deliver a story that is factual, enjoyable, and emotional. Marsh's enthusiasm for Ninita is evident throughout, and she and Coleman have created a narrative that will crawl into your heart with a smile and a small toothbrush. VERDICT An excellent book for reading aloud and teaching children about pygmy marmosets and conservation efforts.-Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2018
Preschool-G A pygmy marmoset peeks over the rim of a teacup on the cover of this true story of wildlife conservation. Ninita was born in the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation of Florida, but because she was deaf, her parents abandoned her. Fortunately, Ninita had human caregivers to step in and give her the attention she needed?please pause to take in Ninita's enjoyment over being brushed with a toothbrush and licking whipped cream with her tiny pink tongue. The narrative text follows her growth and curiosity as she learns important life skills, despite being unable to hear. Eventually she is ready to live in the sanctuary's outdoor area with other marmosets, making this a simplified but sweet story of animal rehabilitation. Coleman's endearing digital illustrations are rendered in a comforting pastel palette, where greens and Ninita's golden browns predominate; the pocket-size monkey's expressive face will melt readers' hearts. An author's note on marmosets and the Florida sanctuary fills out the story nicely and emphasizes that, though adorable, these creatures should not be kept as pets.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)