The Wire Zoo: How Elizabeth Berrien Learned to Turn Wire into Amazing Art by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Joanie Stone - OPTIONAL

The Wire Zoo: How Elizabeth Berrien Learned to Turn Wire into Amazing Art by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Joanie Stone,  PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Simon & Schuster), 2024. $19. 9781665940764

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

An illustrated biography of an artist who saw the world a little differently than others around her. It’s not explicitly stated that she is neurodivergent, but it is alluded to. She isn’t good at traditional forms of art, but finds success in sharing her unique wire animal sculptures. 

I grabbed this book because the cover caught my attention. I didn’t know almost anything about the medium of wire sculpture, so it was cool to learn something new. It could be cool to use this book in a makespace lesson and have kids design their own wire sculptures using pipe cleaners. Other than that, I would imagine it would only appeal to a small number of readers in a school library. 

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes