Tina Strachan (text) and Max Hamilton (illustrator), Neeka and the Missing Key (Wilder Zoo #1), HarperCollins AU, January 2025, 272 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781460764558
Neeka is an eleven-year-old girl who lives at Wilder Zoo where her mum is a vet. Neeka thrives in this environment and already knows she wants to be a vet when she is older. But for right now she still gets to be involved up close with the animals and the events at the zoo.
In this first instalment in the series, readers are at first given the setup of the zoo, some of the key characters, Declan, a zookeeper, Pamela, the kitchen manager, Rohan, the elephant manager, Flo, an animal trainer, and Neeka’s best friends Rumi and Hudson. Plus, the supporting cast of animal characters at the zoo, from elephants to giraffes, and one cheeky red panda named Rebel. Neeka likes to make videos at the zoo and has been nominated for an award, but thanks to Rebel, Neeka finds herself in trouble when her zoo key goes missing.
A lightly illustrated chapter book, the content is best suited to grade 4-6 students, though they would want to be strong readers. There are a few characters to keep track of, and for a middle grade read, it is slightly longer. This is a very safe story, with the main cast all very supportive and kind to each other. It reminds me of series such as Pearly and Pig by Sue Whiting, and The Travelling Bookshop by Katrina Naanestad.
Reviewed by Cherie Bell
A second review
Neeka desperately wants to be a vet, which is handy because she and her family live in Wilder Zoo, where her mum is the head vet. Every morning, Neeka helps the zoo staff feed and take care of the animals. There are so many fascinating things happening at the zoo, that she’s often late getting home so Dad can drive her to school, which he isn’t happy about at all. ]
With her two best friends, Neeka makes videos about the zoo and when they are nominated for an award, she wants to make one more to secure the win. Trouble is Ranger Riley, from another zoo, has been posting some very exciting animal content and every idea Neeka has for her next video doesn’t work out. When Neeka loses her zoo key, she worries it’s been eaten by a rebellious red panda, who she needs to help. But how can she when she’s grounded for a month from going to the zoo? Suddenly the video doesn’t seem so important, not when the health of the panda might be at risk!
Written by Tina Strachan, a children’s book author who has spent twenty years working and studying wildlife conservation, the book is a love-letter to zoos, animals and the dedicated staff who take care of them. Max Hamilton’s very cute black and white illustrations bring the story to life in a delightful way. For independent readers who love animals and mystery, this adventure will be perfect.
Reviewed by Deborah Abela
