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Dale Smith’s second environmental novel features the same
plot device as What the Parrot Told Alice – his daughter is
awakened to the plight of an endangered species by a talking
animal. While his first book was intended for a younger
audience, What the Orangutan Told Alice adds more depth and
description to the narrative, making it suitable for older
students and adults while still maintaining the element of
fantasy.
The story is well-researched, which at times proves to be
its downfall. Some conversations become overly didactic and
stilted in an attempt to pack in as much information as
possible. The story does, however, convey important
information about orangutans’ endangered status and the
horrible things that humans do to the earth in the name of
civilization.
The interplay between Alice and her new friend, Shane, is
sometimes distracting, such as when she corrects his
grammar, but overall they make a good duo as they reflect on
the information they receive. Even with many dire scenes in
the book, the reader isn’t left completely hopeless through
a profile of a local rehabilitation center. The scientists
and workers at the center strive to return orangutans that
were either snatched from the forest as babies or driven out
by construction projects to the wild. There is also hope in
Alice and Shane. Their newfound appreciation for Borneo and
its orangutans is obvious and it’s apparent that they will
commit themselves to educating others. The author provides a
list of resources at the back of the book for those readers
who feel similarly inspired.
What the Orangutan Told Alice is illustrated with
photographs taken in the rain forests of Borneo. Even though
Smith is highly skilled in his descriptions of the world
Alice and Shane discover, the pictures add an extra level of
realism to the story. Captions connect them to the plot, so
readers can start to feel like they really know the
orangutans and other sights of the forest.
What the Orangutan Told Alice could easily be used in
schools, although it is still suitable for leisure reading.
Readers can’t help but learn something from this story, and
most will enjoy themselves in the process.
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What the Orangutan Told Alice: A Rain Forest Adventure