This is a fairly science-heavy book, which spends much of its time defining "play" and discussing how ideas about it have changed over the years. The fun part is that we do meet a lot of animals, and read more about their behaviors. We also meet many scientists, and see how they consider whether certain behaviors are "play" or maybe have another motive (like courtship).
Each chapter also tries to end with a comparison between play and natural selection, which seemed unnecessary to me. It was ok, and I get that "play" might seem - to a scientist - to be the opposite of something needed in a "survival of the fittest" model. But as a layperson, it was a little tiring.
Overall, this was an ok read. I think if you are really into how science evolves, or are a veterinarian or zookeeper, maybe you could glean certain info from this book that would be helpful to you. Otherwise, it might be a tad tedious.

David Toomey is critically acclaimed science writer and a Professor of English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he teaches courses in writing and in the history of science. In Kingdom of Play, Dr. Toomey reviews how scientists have studied animals at play and what they have learned about the nature of play in different species, the reasons for and benefits of play, and the relationship between play and evolution.

I was drawn to the fun stories about animals playing, but surprised at how much I enjoyed learning about the scientific research. There are many insights about not only the nature of play, but also how scientists conduct research. I highly recommend this book for those interested in the scientific study of animal behavior, development, and evolution.

I was provided an unproofed ARC through NetGalley, and I volunteered to provide an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Kingdom of Play" by David Toomey is a fascinating exploration into the playful behaviors of animals and what these actions reveal about life itself. Toomey delves deep into the science of play, examining not just the how, but the why behind the seemingly frivolous activities of creatures great and small.

The book is a delightful treasure trove of anecdotes and insights, shedding light on the curious playtime routines of species from octopuses to elephants. Toomey's narrative is engaging, filled with vivid descriptions that bring the reader closer to understanding the significance of play in the animal kingdom. He navigates through various theories and studies with a storyteller's grace, making complex concepts accessible and entertaining.

What stands out in "Kingdom of Play" is Toomey's ability to connect the dots between play and broader biological functions. He posits that play is not merely a distraction but a critical component of social bonding, stress reduction, and even conflict resolution among animals. The book also touches on the evolutionary aspects of play, suggesting that the roots of this behavior may be as old as life itself.

Toomey's work is a compelling read for anyone interested in animal behavior, psychology, or simply the joy of discovery. It's a reminder that play is not just a human luxury but a fundamental aspect of existence for all species.

This book offers a wealth of examples of playing behavior among animals, especially (but not exclusively) birds and mammals, and also cephalopods. It goes on to sort through various scientific theories about why play exists, how it evolves, and what it means. Since natural selection can be ruthlessly efficient, eliminating any traits (physical or behavioral) that are less than optimal (or less successful in terms of ultimate contribution to reproduction than others), there has been reason to question how play evolved, and why it is so common. Playful behavior might seem to be wasteful; energy is expended in activity that doesn't have any immediate purpose in survival and reproduction. But from a broader viewpoint, such narrow utilitarianism does not make sense. Play allows animals to explore ranges of behavior, to innovate within limits, to strengthen social ties, to respond flexibly to events, and to practice actions and responses that might be seriously necessary in other circumstances. Play also is only possible if animals have a degree of conscious reflectiveness, interiority, and emotional depth. Toomey's book covers all of these possibilities, as well as giving us fascinating examples of the actual things that animals do when they are playing, i.e. when they have other concerns and horizons than the necessity of immediate survival and/or procreation. The book is lucidly written, and up to date in terms of its accounts of scientific findings, observations, and theorizations. (In addition, I think that it overlaps with earlier theorizations that see living beings as not just utility maximizers in the reductive sense -- I think that this book resonates especially with Bruce Bagemihl's Biological Exuberance, and with Morse Peckham's arguments about art as a sort of rehearsal for lived experience, one that expands possibilities and makes innovation possible, in his book Man's Rage for Chaos).

Delve into the world of animal play—as revealed by researchers studying the origins, brain-shaping effects, and evolutionary influence of play. Explore play across various species, from belly-flopping monkeys to tail-walking dolphins. This entertaining, fun-to-read book is packed with fascinating information.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

In "Kingdom of Play", Toomey guides the reader through the various ways that nonhuman animals play including gorillas engaging their youth in peekaboo, somersaulting vervet monkeys, pole-vaulting fish, and turtles playing tug-of war, among other tales. This book is often humorous, such as when Toomey recalls another scientist's story of two juvenile gorillas playing, writing, "a juvenile grabbed the crotch of another juvenile with his hands. The recipient's startled response and the subsequent leap into the air suggests that it was as surprised as we were!"

Further, Toomey emphasizes that for an animal to play it must be "well-fed, safe and healthy". In a world where many species of animals are threatened every day, it is very possible that we will miss out on opportunities to learn from others amongst us. Thus, we must do our part to help protect our fellow animals, if for no other reason, than to witness their talents.

Nonhuman animals, they are just like us.

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there was one ancestor who gave way to every single one of us. Dogs, octopuses, bears, elephants and humans alike. At first, we thought that we had little in common but, the more humans have tried to understand other animals, we’ve realized how much we share. Play is one of those things and David Toomey has compiled the most recent studies on the subject, writing a very entertaining, approachable and mind-blowing volume. We still don’t know much about why we play and why., but he explains what is known. He uses fascinating anecdotes and theories from all groups in the animal kingdom. The chapters devoted to science, genetics and natural selection are entertaining and easy to understand. But my favorite were the examples and experiments featuring the most unlikely subjects, including bees and fish. The part discussing dreaming and its relationship with play was astounding (humans are not the only ones who talk in our sleep - what I learned here is amazing!). For animal lovers and science readers alike, this is a wonderful book.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Scribner.