Taronga presents: Baby boom by Kristin Darell. Illus. by Laura Wood

The third book in the Taronga Presents series written by author Kristin Darell has the title Baby Boom. Best friends Ollie and Sophia are now fully trained Taronga Zoo volunteers and undertake lots of jobs throughout the day where they are interacting with the zoo animals. At all times they are under supervision from adult zookeepers who trust Sophie and Ollie to do the right thing and listen to their instructions.

In this story there is a real baby boom at the zoo and the children are fortunate to observe some of the newest additions. These include three baby Sumatran tiger cubs, meerkat pups, a surprise kangaroo joey, bearded dragon offspring, chimpanzee baby and a pygmy hippo calf. They also are able to help feed and look after a baby wombat that has no mother. For Sophia there is a bit of an uncomfortable moment when she has to share Ollie with his younger sister Katy, but eventually she is able to work through her feelings and all is sorted out.

Throughout this book are delightful illustrations that provide valuable visual images to further engage readers. There are facts cleverly interwoven through the narrative and quite a few puns add a touch of humour. Ollie’s Fun Fact File in the final pages of the book are an added bonus.

This series would be a wonderful classroom read aloud for junior to middle primary children.

Themes: Taronga Zoo, Animals, Volunteers, Friends, Family, Babies, Facts.

Kathryn Beilby