How to Move a Zoo: The incredible true story

by Kate Simpson, Owen Swan

The true story of how at the beginning of the 20th century Jessie the elephant walked from Moore Park Zoo to her spacious new home in the Taronga Zoological Park.

It was still dark when Mr Miller opened the gates of the old zoo, but he wasn't scared because he wasn't alone. He was with Jessie the elephant and together they were going to walk from Moore Park, through the city streets, to the ferry at Fort Macquarie. Jessie was moving to her spacious new home in the soon-to-be-opened Taronga Zoological Park.

Jessie's surprising journey was unlike any other and it brought a little warmth to the city on that brisk September morning in 1916.

The incredible true story of Jessie the elephant from the bestselling author of Anzac The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King and the highly acclaimed illustrator of Anzac Biscuits.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Australia, Historical, History, Childrens

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Grace Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how it was based on a true story. I liked how Mr Miller was always by Jessie’s side.

[Rina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was based on the true story of one September morning in 1916, when Jessie the elephant walked from Moore Park Zoo to her spacious new home in the Taronga Zoological Park. It was still dark when Mr Miller opened the gates of the old zoo, but he and Jessie walked through the city streets to the ferry at Fort Macquarie to get to her new home.

To me, this was the perfect picture book for kids. It had everything, from a heartwarming true story, cute illustrations with calming colour palette, and historical education! My 2.5 year-old daughter loves Jessie the elephant, and I’m sure once she’s older, she will appreciate the story even more!

(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)

See my bookstagram review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be the perfect picture book. The text is spare but says a lot in a few words. The illustrations using a muted palette are so appealing with the wrinkly skin of the elephant and the kind face of the keeper I absolutely loved them all including finding the tiny sugar glider. There is humour to be discovered when the milkman's horse unexpectedly sees an elephant on her early morning deliveries. The end papers are clever and intriguing and draw you in to the story. And to top it off the book is based on a real story so that the reader learns a bit of history too.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does one move a zoo? Well, very carefully. Most of the animals can be moved in crates, but some are just too large to be moved by any other means than walking.
Elephants are just that animal - too large to move without walking.

This was such a great story! I had no idea that this was based on a true story, either. I am excited to share this with my younger nieces and nephews.

[Karen Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle nonfiction story about a turn-of-the -century zoo in Sydney, Australia that moved animals across town to a new site. Notably, an elephant named Jessie surprised townspeople one morning as a zookeeper walked the pachyderm down the street.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously this is a children’s book, however, it is based on fact and provides an introduction to further research into this most wonderful feat of safely transporting all these animals to new beautiful accommodation.

[Elizabeth]

I liked the illustrations, and I wish it had been written in the notes at the back of the book the distance the elephant traveled.

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. The artwork is outstanding and absolutely evokes the quiet morning Jessie made her walk to the harbor. I loved how it looks like she's laughing at the scared horse.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book based on a true story. I have never heard this story before. Great introduction for kids and beautiful illustations.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Move a Zoo is a beautiful picture book that illustrates the true story of how, in 1916, Jessie the elephant walked from Moore Park Zoo to her new home in the Taronga Zoological Park at Mosman.

The pencil full colour illustrations are charming and nostalgic, presented with a hazy softness that encompasses the nighttime setting.

How to Move a Zoo is a wonderful story from a bygone era. The story follows Jessie the elephant as she quietly walks through the streets of Sydney, whilst everyone sleeps.  From Moore Park down Burke street through the Botanical Gardens to Bennelong Point where she boards a barge to take her across the harbour.

Owen Swan's engaging illustrations perfectly portray a long-ago era with milk-carts and street-sweepers. With a little prompting children can spot the many birds that inhabit the area; kookaburras, magpies, seagulls, cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, even a brush turkey can be spotted in the pictures.

The picture of Jessie's new home, the elephant house, will be recognised by many children today.

How to Move a Zoo is a heartwarming picture book that will give hours of enjoyment to children and carers alike.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction picture book focuses on Jessie, the gentle elephant at the Moore Park Zoo in Sydney. When the zoo is relocated to Toronga Park the other animals are transported by trucks - cleverly portrayed in the end papers - but Jessie is too big. She and her keeper quietly walk through the streets of Sydney in the early morning and down to the quays where she, reluctantly boards a ferry to make the river crossing to her new home.

Kate Simpson's descriptive recount of the event is clear and concise to the point where one questions if this may be a literary nonfiction text rather than historical fiction - it would be interesting to investigate what elements are fictional. Owen Swan's pencil and electronically shaded illustrations reflect an old world time with soft colours and numerous indicators to reflect the time period (1916). the map in at the start charts Jessie's land and sea journeys and identifies key Sydney landmarks for the period.

CBCA 2025 Early Childhood Shortlist title.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from A & U Children through Edelweiss+.
Readers watch the elephant, Jessie, travel from her old park home to a new zoo facility. She walks through the streets and then rides a ferry to get there. This book is based on the true events when the zoological society in Sydney, Australia moved their zoo to a bigger location. The artwork captures the journey and supports the text. Told in a relatable manner for elementary level readers.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming and beautiful book that tells the true story of moving Sydney's zoo from Moore Park to Taronga at the start of the twentieth century. Charmingly illustrated, with lots of small details for readers to notice and take in. My young readers were fascinated.