Zoo Girl
on Goodreads (160)
What’s inside...
Zoo girl, an orphan with no family, feels lost and alone at the children's home. During a trip to the zoo, she is accidentally left behind and finds solace among the animals. When discovered snuggled in a tiger's cage, the zookeepers, sensing a connection, adopt her shortly after with the necessary papers. Zoo girl finally finds a family and a place where she truly belongs. The story is told with minimal words per page, emphasizing the powerful illustrations and the theme of finding one's place in the world.
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Zoo Girl
Discussion points
How do you think Zoo Girl felt when she was at the zoo and when she found her family?
What animals would you like to take care of, and why?
What does 'home' mean to you, and how do you think Zoo Girl feels about her home at the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you belonged somewhere? How did that make you feel?
What would you do to make a new friend feel welcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to consider Zoo Girl’s feelings throughout the story, prompting them to connect her experiences with their own.
Discuss the importance of belonging and what it means to be part of a family or community, drawing parallels to the child’s own life.
Use the vivid illustrations in the book to ask your child about different animals and their habitats, fostering a deeper connection to the story’s setting.
Promote creativity by asking your child to imagine their own adventure if they were in a zoo. Ask what animals they would befriend and why.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their favorite scene or writing a short story about another adventure for Zoo Girl.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Zoo Girl', the protagonist, a lonely girl who lives in an orphanage, finds companionship and understanding among the animals at the zoo. Her emotional journey sheds light on her feelings and experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and share feelings with others, helping them build connections and understand different perspectives in real life.
Example Lesson: Belonging and Identity
Explanation: The story highlights the girl's quest for a place where she feels she belongs, ultimately finding her identity and happiness at the Zoo.
Real-World Application: This story can help children grasp the importance of knowing who they are and where they fit into the world, enhancing their self-esteem and social interaction.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The girl in the book shows courage when she decides to leave the orphanage to search for a place she belongs, facing the unknown with determination.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their fears, try new things, and boldly step into new experiences.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: As Zoo Girl adapts to her life at the zoo among the animals, she teaches resilience and adaptability in unfamiliar situations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to adjusting to changes in their surroundings, such as moving to a new school or meeting new people.
Example Lesson: Compassion
Explanation: The positive outcome when the zookeepers notice the girl’s plight and offer her a place to stay illustrates the value of compassion.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be compassionate and proactive in helping others who are in difficult situations.