Book Review - Animal Helpers: Zoos

Animal Helpers: Zoos

By: Jennifer Keats Curtis
Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Publication Date: September 2013
ISBN: 978-1607188506
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: September 24, 2013

The giraffe leaned forward to nuzzle a pumpkin filled with luscious snacks to nibble on. Where can anyone see animals such as the giraffe, rhinos, antelopes, polar bears, and other creatures normally seen in the wild? In the zoo of course. Many of the animals in zoos “are plentiful in the wild,” but others are endangered and need the protection of zookeepers. In fact, they can actually “help conserve and protect an entire species.” There are many things zookeepers do and perhaps you’ve even thought you’d like to be one when you grow up. If you love animals, it may just be something worth thinking about.

You could help feed young animals, help them learn to walk on a leash, or you could even help “scrub a rhino’s foot.” There are animals who need rescuing and there are animals you would have to build homes for. You can see those fuzzy brown bears and that not-so-cuddly porcupine as he lounges in his little log cabin home. Do you know how to “create a cake for chimps and keep monkeys from being bored?” There are a lot of things you’d need to learn about in order to become a zookeeper. When it’s hot out can you give a zoo animal a Popsicle? If you don’t know the answer to that one, you’ll know once you read this book!

This is a fun, interesting book about zookeepers that will charm young readers. The layout is very vibrant with full-color, full-page photographs that often span two pages. In some instances, there are additional thumbnails that add to the story. Newly independent readers can tackle this beginning nonfiction book with a bit of assistance with unusual words such as “enrichment.” In the back of the book are several activities, including some that can be downloaded and printed from the publisher’s website. This would be an excellent book to read and discuss in the homeschool or classroom setting.

Quill says: If you have a young animal lover, who just might want to be a zookeeper, they'll most certainly love this book!