Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper by Candace Fleming - ADVISABLE

Cubs in the Tub: The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Julie Downing, PICTURE BOOK, NON-FICTION Neal Porter Books (Holiday House), 2020. $19. 9780823443185 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a baby lion is in need of care, a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo brings it home for his wife to "mother". Helen Martini raises the cub for two months, until is is sent back to a zoo. Soon, she is needed to take care of three baby tigers. When it's time for them to return to the zoo, she goes with them, setting up a nursery in a storeroom, and becoming the first woman zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. 

Oh! I loved this! A great story - who wouldn't want to take care of baby zoo animals? I loved Helen's spunk and drive, a great message to kids about advocating. Julie Downing's illustrations are adorable. There's plenty of text, so it would be a great addition to even an upper elementary classroom. I'm purchasing one for my middle school library as well.

Lisa Librarian