Fur, Fins, and Feathers: Abraham Dee Bartlett and the Invention of the Modern Zoo

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).