Acting Wild

A friendly narrator, who happens to be an ant, explains the many ways that we humans are like other animals. We farm, teach our young, laugh, mourn, build, use tools, and so on. Several examples are given to show each shared trait. Clearly organized, well- illustrated, and informative, this book will enable young readers to see our human place within the animal world.

I love books like these, it educates not only children, but their parents and caregivers, too. Humans aren't as superior as they think they are when compared to other earthly creatures. Ants can farm, just like us, and rats and dog can laugh (I haven't heard my cats laugh, BUT I know when they are having a good quite laugh by the look on their faces!), they mourn loved ones, they use tools, etc... I think it's time we reevaluate where we fit in the scheme of things! We really aren't that different after all! This book was wonderful in that it drew all the sameness into one volume that kids can easily access. great book for budding animal behaviorists!

Acting Wild, narrated by an enthusiastically chatty ant, displays ways in which humans are just as wild as the other members of the animal kingdom.

Maria Birmingham effectively references a wide sampling of creatures and their behaviors to compare with humans. From apes to ants, small and large creatures share with humans the ability to use tools, farm, and build. From shrimp to kangaroos, teamwork and fun are also present in the wild. Staying clean and educating one another cross the species boundary as well, lemurs and birds being examples.

Humorous, colorful, and very anthropomorphic illustrations by Dave Whamond with animals acting more like humans than the other way around: a groundhog on a mobile phone; a chimpanzee operating a street food vendor cart; a ring tailed lemur using a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush; elephants dressed in black while mourning; beavers in construction hats and heavy machinery.

Are we acting like animals? Or are animals acting like us? At the core, we’re all animals behaving like animals, and that message is delivered in this book, both through Birmingham’s words and Whamond’s images. While only a standard thirty-two pages, this book is notably longer than your average bedtime story picture book. The table of contents helpfully separates each spread into its own little “chapter,” making it easy to call lights out and resume the next night, if desired. The end matter contains a glossary and further reading suggestions for those who enjoyed the book and want to learn more. (I did, and I do!)


Thanks to Owlkids Books, Maria Birmingham and Dave Whamond, and to NetGalley for the provided e-ARC and the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest, unbiased, and voluntary. #NetGalley #ActingWild

(The “American Gothic” ants on page eight were an amusing detail.)

This educational, non-fiction and fun book is narrated by a friendly ant. Now that aspect alone will get a kid's attention. Mr. Ant does a stellar job of pointing out similar behaviours between humans and those belonging to the animal kingdom.

He compares their behaviours in: farming, teaching, laughing, building, mourning, communicating, grooming, playing, traveling, using tools, and working together. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out so many ways that we act the same.

Kids will love the playful and humorous illustrations that are detailed and expressive. The table of content at the beginning easily divides the book into mini chapters and a glossary and further reading suggestions section is included at the end for those who want to dig deeper.

These fascinating facts will educate not only kids but adults too. It would be a wonderful addition to a classroom, elementary school library or for a reluctant reader. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This book Was fun and unique. My kids and I all adore it.