Inside the Zoo Nursery

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-- A clear, competent presentation, illustrated with captivating, full-color photographs of the baby animals. Smith explains the special considerations and flexible accommodations needed to care for orphaned or injured zoo babies of all sizes and kinds. From making an artificial pouch for a young wallaby to devising myriad formulas and bottles (and feeding tubes for nonsuckling porpoises), the problems of maintaining and then weaning young animals are examined, using case studies of birds and animals throughout the country. Concepts such as imprinting and the value of colostrum in the mother's milk are detailed, but the descriptions are not too technical. The exceptionally attractive format uses well-placed photos, including one of the puppet used to feed California condor chicks. A special book for children interested in animal care. --Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library

Stephanie Zvirin

As usual, Munoz's candid, full-color photographs are excellent, sharp as well as interesting, and they'll probably be the first thing kids look at when they pick up this book. But Smith's text is a good match. It opens dramatically and keeps a brisk pace as it explains the various reasons for hand-rearing baby animals, the difficulties involved--establishing the correct environment, finding food, handling imprinting and socialization--and the problems that must be dealt with when it's time for an animal to be separated from its surrogate parents. Smith closes with intriguing stories of several different hand-raised beasts, among them a porpoise and a chimp. A first-rate behind-the-scenes view.