by Aaron Bccker
Illustrated by Aaron Becker
Candlewick Press
2024
40 pages
ISBN: 978`536227680
In this sweeping, breathtaking artistic masterpiece, NOA, a robot with a huge heart for creatures, steps up to save what is left of the world. There has been a catastrophic flood or tsunami that destroyed everything but an abandoned zoo. A few buildings still stand, but the only life seems to be the animals. NOA plans to save them somehow and take them to dryer and better land.
He plans and designs a small boat, testing the waters. NOA transports the animals to higher ground as he builds a huge boat (ark) to sail to a better location and possibly find others like him and them. NOA sets sail with the animals, and they encounter a terrible storm and become shipwrecked on a beautiful island that is not underwater. Things are looking up...literally...as a friend shows up in a hot air balloon. It's someone NOA is happy to see.
The Last Zookeeper has no text, no words, and none are needed. The gorgeous watercolor art tells the story, and readers are able to make the story up for themselves. There is so much to discuss about NOA's behavior: he, a robot, who has empathy and feelings for living, breathing creatures, so much so, he risked hurting himself to save them. He has hope of finding a better place, of saving all of them, of discovering what is still "out there." He works tirelessly, using his skills to plan and design a boat capable of bearing the weight of all the zoo animals. He is thrilled to see a new land where the animals can thrive.
Genius storytelling through art has never been so masterfully done! Kudos to Aaron Becker for a true WIN! The Last Zookeeper is a book I'll never forget, and I'll bet young readers will remember it always.
So highly recommended if you don't get this book for a young reader, you'll wish you had. The story is ageless and will withstand the test of decades. This is a true classic that will be on every single library shelf everywhere.
For all ages, even pre-readers.
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