Abraham Dee Bartlett and the Invention of the Modern Zoo
Starred review from September 1, 2015
Gr 1-4-Abraham Dee Bartlett's love of animals shines through in this captivating biography of the inventor of the modern zoo. As a boy, Bartlett visited a menagerie of caged animals, where he was allowed to play with some beguiling lion cubs. Fascinated with wild animals, he spent his time reading about "aardvarks and zebras and everything in between," and as an adult he found a job at the Museum of Natural History. His museum exhibits caught the attention of some men in the London Zoological Society, who asked him to run the city zoo. Bartlett, "the walking animal encyclopedia," took his new responsibilities seriously, and with the happiness of the animals as his top priority, he instituted forward-thinking innovations. As Maxwell reveals in explanatory anecdotes, "Papa Bartlett" created natural habitats for the zoo denizens, labeled the exhibits to educate his patrons, and ensured that the animals enjoyed the best food and care possible. Thanks to his devotion, the visitors to Bartlett's first modern zoo developed a deeper appreciation for the animal kingdom. Maxwell pays homage to the zookeeper's beloved charges with her softly colored, expressive cut-paper collage illustrations, making the animals the focal point of many of the spreads. Thorough back matter and delightful endpapers featuring zoological fun facts supplement the text. Pair this title with Toni Buzzeo's equally engaging A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss (Dial, 2015). VERDICT A splendid choice for all readers and animal lovers in particular.-Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2015
Maxwell presents a brief biography of Abraham Dee Bartlett, the self-taught animal expert who became superintendent of the London Zoo in 1859 and subsequently made significant improvements in the understanding, care, and treatment of animals in captivity. The combination of interesting details, attractive illustrations, and direct narration make this introduction to a (most likely) little-known historical figure accessible and appealing. Beginning with Bartlett's childhood fascination with animals, the text travels briskly through the events of his long life, picking out those most germane to the topic (his recognition of the importance of good nutrition and comfortable and stimulating environments for the animals and of the value of providing educational information for visitors) as well as those most likely to pique young listeners' interest (his treatment of animals who needed medical care, the zoo's purchase of Jumbo the elephant). Complex ideas are presented clearly, and personal details add depth despite the brevity of the text. The pictures feature pleasing textures and rich colors. Executed in cut-paper collage and mixed media, they range from cozy interiors, like Abraham's book-strewn childhood bedroom, to expansive outdoor vistas. Animals of all sorts decorate the pages, offering children the chance to identify familiar species and wonder over unusual specimens. Sure to spark the interest of animal-loving children, this engaging portrait will also please history buffs and Anglophiles. (timeline, author's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)
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September 15, 2015
Grades K-3 This engaging picture-book biography tells the story of Abraham Dee Bartlett, the supervisor of the London Zoo from 1859 to 1897. Bartlett's lifelong interest in and empathy with animals brought him insights that led to revolutionary innovations in how modern zoos operate. His omnipresent care and compassion earned him the nickname Papa and gained him several admirers, including Queen Victoria. Well-chosen anecdotes show how Bartlett's extensive research and close observations resulted in profound changes. He advocated for better health care, enhanced diets that included native foods, and larger and more natural habitats that allowed animals room to play. Bartlett also introduced the concept of annotated informational signs and guidebooks to increase the sensitivity of zoo visitors. The chronological presentation helps put Bartlett's reforms into context, and the intricately detailed cut-paper and mixed-media illustrations add plenty of period details. This informative biography goes down easily and will appeal especially to animal lovers and zoo enthusiasts. Young readers who enjoyed Kathleen Krull's What's New? The Zoo! (2014) will also appreciate this more focused account.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)
July 20, 2015
Maxwell highlights how one man helped usher in new ideas of what zoos could be in the 19th century. Three-dimensional mixed-media collages give the pages a sense of activity and depth as Bartlett plays with and studies animals as a boy, gaining a reputation as a “walking animal encyclopedia” and eventually becoming superintendent of the London Zoo. There, he pioneered the idea of including information about the animals for visitors, as well as giving the creatures better nutrition and larger enclosures. “They... need spaces to explore, places to hide, and things to play with,” Maxwell says in one of a handful of unattributed quotations. A bibliography, time line, and author’s note round out a warm portrait of a man’s lifelong passion for animals, a passion that he shared widely. Ages 5–9.