Beyond Words: What Wolves and Dogs Think and Feel (A Young Reader's Adaptation)
#3 of 2 in Beyond Words (Young Readers Adaptations) Series
on Goodreads (42)
What’s inside...
Eye-opening, wise, and filled with triumphant and heartbreaking stories about the wolf population at Yellowstone (as well as some personal anecdotes about dogs), Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Wolves and Dogs Think and Feel accessibly explores the mysteries of animal thought and behavior for young readers. Weaving decades of field research with exciting new discoveries about the brain, and complete with astonishing photos, Beyond Words offers an extraordinary look at what makes these animals different from us, but more importantly, what makes them similar, namely, their feelings of joy, grief, anger, and love. These similarities between human and nonhuman consciousness and empathy allow the reader to reexamine how we interact with animals as well as how we see our own place in the world.
Discussion points
How do you think the wolves and dogs in the book feel in different situations? Can you relate to any of their emotions?
What did you learn about how wolves communicate with each other? How is it similar or different from how dogs or humans communicate?
Carl Safina shows us the world from the perspective of wolves and dogs. How does this change the way you think about these animals?
Why is it important to understand what animals think and feel? How can this knowledge influence the way we treat them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own feelings and compare them with those depicted in the book, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of animal behavior.
Discuss the communication methods described in the book. Engage your child by asking them to interpret body language of pets or animals they observe.
Prompt your child to consider the author's perspective and why understanding animal emotions and thoughts could be valuable.
Use the book as a gateway to discuss broader themes such as animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals, tailoring the complexity of the conversation to the child's age and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book delves into the emotional lives of wolves and dogs, revealing how they think and feel. By exploring these animals' perspectives, children learn to empathize with creatures different from themselves.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing kindness and understanding towards animals and people, recognizing that everyone has feelings and deserves compassion.
Example Lesson: Importance of Social Bonds
Explanation: Wolves are portrayed as social animals who thrive in packs, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and family. This mirrors the social nature of human life.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this lesson to their own lives by appreciating and contributing to their family and friends, understanding the strength in unity and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Conservation and Responsibility
Explanation: Through the narrative, children learn about the challenges wolves face in the wild, including habitat loss and human interference, teaching them about conservation.
Real-World Application: This understanding fosters a sense of responsibility towards preserving nature and its inhabitants, encouraging actions like recycling, conservation, and respect for wildlife.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The book encourages a curiosity about animal psychology and behavior, showcasing the importance of scientific observation and study.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to observe the natural world around them more closely and to seek knowledge about how various creatures live and thrive, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Communication Skills
Explanation: By observing how wolves and dogs communicate, children learn that effective communication is often more about understanding body language and emotions than words.
Real-World Application: This can help children improve their own communication skills with peers and adults, becoming more attuned to non-verbal cues and empathetic interaction.