I can highly recommend these books for monkey parents. Most are available at libraries and Amazon.com. The textbooks not readily available at the retail level, can easily be ordered from University bookstores.
"The art and science of asking the right questions, is the source of all knowledge." Thomas Berger
Bringing Up Ziggy: Lessons from a Helping Hands Monkey Mom author: Andrea Campbell (entertaining and full of information about integrating a monkey into family life. I highly recommend this book. A must-have for capuchin mommies)
The Complete Capuchin: the Biology of the Genus Cebus Author: Dorothy Fragaazy
Primate Enrichment Diary Author: Sheryl Sherman
This book has received rave reviews from monkey moms for thinking out of the box. It contains sensible money-saving ways to make enrichment toys, particularly great for the larger monks, as well as recipes for yummy monkey-healthy snacks and treats. Available at Amazon.com
Parenting For Primates Author: Dr. Harriet J. Smith (2006)
This is a wonderful book on primate parenting. In a scientific, yet easy to read style, Dr. Smith describes parenting behaviors and family dynamics present in primates and humans. She uses case studies of primates from around the wolrd as well as her own breeding pair of Cotton Top Tamarins. She studies behaviors relating to mothering, fathering, weaning, discipline, adolescence, even confronting "empty next" syndrome. She compares the tamarin troop raising their young to the village mentality of tribal people where the raising of the young becomes everyone's responsibility. Her artful comparison of human and tamarin caring for their young makes for an engrossing read. Be warned that she does offer a disclaimer that she does not believe that primates make good pets. My personal feeling on that subject, even as a monkey parent are that I completely agree. They don't make good "pets". The word "pet" is inappropriate. Monkeys are more like "little furry kids" that require a great deal of time and effort to successfully integrate into their human family. They can be truly delightful companions under the proper circumstances.
New World Monkeys (Nature Watch) Author: Melissa Stewart
Living New World Monkeys VOL I Author: Phillip Hershkovitz (a technical and informative book written like a medical textbook)
How Monkeys See the World: Inside the Mind of Another Species Author: Dorothy L. Cheney
Monkeys of Central and South America Author: Patricia A. Fink Martin
Primates from Howler Monkeys to Humans Author: Erin Pembray
Primate Ecology and Social Structure VOL 2 New World Monkeys Author: Robert W. Sussman
Old World Monkeys Author: Paul F. Whitehead
Monkeys of Asia and Africa Author: Patricia A. Fink Martin
Monkeys and Other Primates (What Kind of Animal Is It?) Author: Rebecca Sjonger
Walker's Primates of the World Author: Ronald M. Nowak, Russell A. Mittermeier
If you have general questions or need details about any of our products, or if you just need to "monkey" talk, please contact me at (253) 862-0432 or email me at LindaLawrence@aol.com If I'm unable to answer your questions, I'll do my best to direct you to someone who can.