HOW TO MOVE A ZOO

Jessie the elephant takes an unusual trip to her brand-new home.

In the early 20th century, the zoo at Moore Park in Sydney, Australia, moved to the suburb of Taronga. Most of the animals were transported by truck, but Jessie was far too large for any vehicle, so she simply walked through the town in the early morning before most people had awakened, then boarded a ferry. This picture book chronicles Jessie’s travels. She surprises the milkman’s horse, alarms an onlooker, and ambles over grass, always walking calmly with her keeper, Mr. Miller, even as others react in shock. After she makes it across in the ferry, she arrives at her new home, greeted by lions and monkeys. The author’s note sheds light on the true story of the animals’ move, explaining that the fastest route was via ferry, since the Sydney Harbour Bridge hadn’t yet been built. Much like Jessie’s journey, the story is a quiet one, though the illustrations give it life. The most stunning images depict Jessie’s early-morning start, the pale pinks in the sky set against an otherwise blue-washed layout; Jessie’s face and eyes are rendered with careful detail. Readers will appreciate the beautiful art and the novelty of an elephant’s walk through town.

Incredible artwork lifts a simple story.