Kate Simpson (text) and Owen Swan (illustrator), How to Move a Zoo, A & U Children’s, June 2024, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761180309
How do you move an entire a zoo from one side of Sydney to the other and across a harbour, when there is not yet a Sydney Harbour Bridge? I guess it’s like that old expression about eating an elephant (apologies to Jessie) – one bite at a time! As so it was, that the seemingly impossible task of moving a zoo was broken into smaller, more manageable steps as dangerous animals were contained and ferried across to their new location. However, a few animals were trusted enough to make the journey uncaged, including Jessie and a small sugar glider possum.
Time and place are clearly established in this beautiful picture book, set in 1916. Owen Swan has used many illustrative devices which come together seamlessly. The endpapers show shadow outlines of vintage trucks and tractors used to transport most of the animals, and they are depicted in greater detail on the tile page and throughout the book. A double page spread of a historical map of Sydney in 1916 traces the elephant’s journey. Throughout, the setting is reinforced through the images of clothing, housing, streetscapes, business signs and advertising posters glued to walls.
The colour pallet also reinforces the era, with muted colours and a strong use of soft grey. Lines are used with great effect, emphasizing vanishing points and horizons, and the layout varies from small vignettes to double-spread splash pages.
Kate Simpson’s narrative remains true to the key historical details and has been well-researched. The language also reinforces the time and place, with the restrained use of Victorian expressions such as “safe as houses”, “worse than spilt milk” and “It’s a bloomin’ elephant!”. The author’s note at the back of the book adds further information, along with two sepia photographs of the move and of the opening of Tooronga Zoo opening.
Readers may also be familiar with Simpson’s book, Anzac Girl, the true story Sister Alice Ross-King, who sailed to war in December 1914 and became the most decorated woman in Australia.
This is a stunning book, highly appealing and accessible and a worthy title for the CBCA 2025 Early childhood shortlist. It is certainly not limited to the category’s suggested age-range of 0-6 years old.
Highly recommended for ages 4+
Reviewed by Bronwyn Joseph
