Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

November 2024

Imprint: Penguin

RRP: $14.99

Back in September I reviewed the first two books in this delighful new series Poo at the Zoo and Party Animals, and now it’s such a joy to present the next two. I’m absolutely loving this series for its cleverly disguised information, the very realistic look at friendships, the joy of accomplishment for the main characters, the opportunity for growing readers to extend their vocabulary and reading range, and, of course, the insight into the daily behind-the-scenes at my favourite zoo.

Baby Boom

ISBN: 9781761347481

Sophia and Ollie are back at the zoo in their role as the youngest volunteers and it’s their spring holidays. And spring means babies! How exciting it is for the friends to be up close to new arrivals such marsupial joeys, new kids on the block – yes, goats!, a darling little pygmy hippo, and the sweetest infant chimpanzee. But possibly, most exciting of all is the imminent arrival of the Sumatran tiger cubs.

Kartika, the expectant tiger mum, is getting herself ready for the birth of her babies. Like most animals her primeval instincts kick in and, in addition, she has the support of the Taronga team to provide suitable bedding and a quiet place.

Ollie, in particular, just adores the tigers but both children are very excited to be allowed into the observation room where the live stream will capture the arrival of the babies – allowing Kartika to do her own maternal thing but with help at hand instantly if it’s needed. There’s a little bit of drama when the tiger seems to be having difficulty birthing the third cub, but eventually all is resolved.

The children have had a pretty exciting time with all the babies – who wouldn’t enjoy having meerkat youngsters scrambling over their laps for mealworms? – but even with all the excitement, Sophia can’t help feeling a twinge of annoyance when Ollie’s baby sister, Katy, needs to be looked after as well. Are small humans as much fun as animal babies?

Sophia is a very normal kid, who just sometimes lets a little bit of selfishness cloud her better nature, but these are stories that will encourage kiddos to recognise and sort out those feelings, and prioritise their friendships, as well as promote their natural interest in the animal world. It’s another terrific adventure at the zoo for the two friends – but wait! there’s more!

ISBN: 9781761347498

You might have some kiddos who have been lucky enough to have a ‘sleep over’ at a zoo, as a number of them offer these experiences, but for Sophia and Ollie, it’s a little different. The summer holidays are here and they have all the joy of knowing there is at least a month of being in their favourite place, doing their favourite activities – helping, cleaning, learning, watching and getting to know the animals of all kinds. They also get to be the guinea pigs for a brand new activity – a fun scavenger hunt across the zoo.

In this adventure, they get to do their volunteering after dark. They help with the regular Roar and Snore experience, which includes sharing some of their own knowledge and fun facts with some of the kids in the group, as well as making sure they’re all feeling safe and comfortable.

But the thing they are really looking forward to is being near at hand when JR, the long-beaked echidna is ready to go back to his regular enclosure and helping with his transportation. Read more about these rare and interesting creatures to see why the kids are so fascinated. JR is pretty special, as he’s the only one of his kind still in Taronga and though he is now elderly, zookeepers continue to learn more about this critically endangered species. Sophia and Ollie are thrilled to be up close with this distinguished elder.

This is another great story full of excitement and learning for readers who will truly enjoy all the little moments in the narrative and, no doubt, wish they could explore the zoo at night armed with their torches!

I feel sure you will already have snapped up the first two but make sure you have them all on your list. They are not only fun reads, but educational ones, and even more importantly, such a brilliant way to encourage Smalls to take a real interest in wildlife and, perhaps, even encourage some along a scientific path. And once again, the terrific illustrations from Laura Wood, offer children some visual appeal as well as breaking up the text, for those who are just extending themselves.

Even though there’s not so great an emphasis on zoo poo with these two (much to the kids’ relief!)…. it’s another 5 💩💩💩💩💩 rating from me. [I really do miss The Kid being still in her zookeeper era 😔].

2017 the birthday excursion to Darling Downs Zoo – with bonus feeding & grooming zebras, hand feeding lions & tigers – and, of course, always a snake! (though she really would have liked to hold the huge python rather than the small olive one!)