The Zoo
Jawnie Payne, Neon Squid
Illustrated by Susan Deming
05 February 2026Synopsis
Find out what goes on behind the scenes at a zoo in this illustrated non-fiction story by zookeeper and TikTok sensation Jawnie Payne.
This gentle story is a perfect gift for kids who love animals or are going on a trip to the zoo. It follows the exploits of several characters over the course of a busy day – including zookeepers, a school trip, and some very mischievous animals! Along the way readers will discover how the creatures are fed and kept entertained, as well as what goes on once the zoo shuts for the day!
Stunning illustrations by Susan Deming bring the world of a zoo to life – from the big cat enclosure to the penguin pool – with plenty of things to spot in the illustrations for eagle-eyed readers.
By the end of the book kids will have a newfound respect for all of the work that goes on to make every zoo experience memorable.
Details
05 February 2026
9781838993412Reviews
A zoo employee herself with a viral following, Payne leads young visitors through a typical day at a generic zoological park... Readers may be surprised at the amount of training zoo animals receive; some are taught to station (or position) themselves a certain way to be X-rayed, to present paws for inspection, or to open their mouths at a hand gesture for dental exams... A wide-ranging zoological overview.Kirkus Reviews
