How is studying animal personality useful? Do animals count? How do animals remember? These and several other questions are explored in this fascinating Orca Wild book that is focused on scientific research on animals’ personalities, memory, counting, and problem solving.

Four comprehensive, clever thematic chapters include: Same But Different (personality), Where Did I Put My Banana?, Easy as 1.2.3, and Figure it Out (puzzles). Intriguing topics and research are interspersed with “Smart Thinking” which are fun animal facts like fake trees and chickadees and different ways of “bee-ing.” The “Scientist Spotlights” feature people who are wildlife biologists, psychology professors, veterinarians, and animal behaviour specialists.

The book contains vibrant photos, charts, and images, including a scientific method chart and the “Big 5” personality questionnaire. An excellent read for anyone who loves animals and those considering a career in psychology, zoology, or veterinary science. Church, author of The Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumblebees, has a doctorate in animal cognition from the University of Ottawa.

Other End Matter: Glossary, print and online resources, acknowledgements
Images: Colour photographs, B&W photographs, colour charts
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Evaluator: Denise N., High School Librarian, BC Books for Schools

Dana Church is the author of The Beekeepers: How Humans Changed the World of Bumble Bees. She received her PhD at the University of Ottawa in Canada, where she studied bumble bees (and never got stung!). She lives in southern Ontario with her husband, two children, and their big, black, friendly dog. The Monarch Effect: Surviving Poison, Predators, and People is her second book. You can find out more about Dana and her writing at danachurchwriter.com.

Dana L. Church's profile page

“The information is shared in conversational text that encourages readers to think, understand and find answers to their questions. As with most of the terrific nonfiction published by Orca, there are carefully captioned and appealing photographs, charts, idea boxes, study results, and Smart Thinking text boxes…An excellent addition to the [Orca Wild] series.”

Sal's Fiction Addiction

“The book includes questions and answers with women scientists in the field, sidebars, and eye-catching full-page color photos. A good starting book on animal cognition for any young animal lover who has wondered if animals are more like humans than we think.”

Booklist

“Full-colour photos and illustrations are well-chosen and positioned to enhance understanding…Young readers…will find Animal Minds: What Are They Thinking? intriguing. It might help fill [a] knowledge gap and offer inspiration for further investigation. Highly recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Prepare to be amazed…Church weaves these stories together to paint a compelling picture of animal intelligence, sparking a newfound appreciation for the creatures that share our planet. This book is perfect for anyone curious about the animal kingdom.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)