Taronga presents: Poo at the Zoo by Kristin Darell. Illus. by Laura Wood

A new series by author Kristin Darell will provide younger middle grade readers with a fabulous insight into the daily life of animals, keepers and volunteers at Taronga Zoo. In this first book in the series, Poo at the Zoo, readers are introduced to Sophia and Ollie who are beginning their first week as Volunteers-in-Training run over two weeks of the school holidays. Both children have a parent who works at the zoo whom readers are introduced to along the way plus we meet the keepers who will train the children. The excitement of the children to begin their training is contagious. They are nervous but enthusiastic and desperate to be able to learn all they need to know to join the adult keepers on their jobs.

First off they are given the news that this week they will be working collecting poo. This does not enthral them at all but they know they have to start somewhere. Their first opportunity is to work with Keeper Sam who looks after the koala habitats. The children are expected to count up the number of poos and record them each day. They also need to feel the poo to find out if it is the right consistency. Sophia and Ollie are not initially impressed but when they realise the poo smells like eucalyptus, their job becomes much easier. After counting and recording, the children shovel up the poo and then take it to be shared amongst other animals for a number of reasons. Throughout the week they collect, count and measure other types of animal poo with sometimes some hilarious results. For Sophia and Ollie the week goes past very quickly and they have learnt so much. They are given the opportunity to share their knowledge and talk to some young children and as a result receive an unexpected surprise.

This engaging story will be enjoyed by those who love zoos and animals. There are facts cleverly shared throughout the story and at the end is ‘Ollie’s Fun Fact File’ with even more information.

Themes: Taronga Zoo, Animals, Volunteers, Friends, Family, Training, Facts.

Kathryn Beilby