The True Story of the Bronx Zoo's First Woman Zookeeper
May 18, 2020
There’s a fairy tale quality to Fleming’s story of Helen Martini, a woman whose longing for a baby was filled by raising a series of orphaned big cat cubs, which unexpectedly led to her becoming the first female zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. And like many fairy tales, the just-so telling and happily-
ever-after ending skim over deeper troubles and complications, specifically the way Martini relates to the animals in her care. Martini’s husband was a keeper at the Bronx Zoo. When a lioness rejected her cub, he brought it home for Martini to raise before it was sent to another zoo. After she cares for a trio of tiger cubs, Helen follows them back to the Bronx Zoo, transforming a store room into the zoo’s first “nursery”: “Her babies needed her.” Martini’s “mother and child” relationship with these wild animals is both charming and unsettling; an artifact of an earlier era in wildlife stewardship that complicates conservation efforts to this day. Downing’s sensitive illustrations shine in a rich, muted palette, using sweeping lines and patterned details to conjure cozy, 1940s-era domestic scenes where lions snooze on laps and tigers frolic in bubble baths. Ages 4–8.
June 15, 2020
In the 1940s, Fred Martini, a zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo, brought a newborn lion cub home to his wife. The cub had been rejected by its mother and desperately needed care. Though childless, Helen was well prepared with baby supplies on hand. She bathed it, fed it baby formula, and sang it to sleep. MacArthur became a loving, playful, cuddly pet until he was placed in another zoo. It was lonely without him until Fred brought home three baby tigers, and the joyful process began again. When it was time to return these babies to the zoo, Helen went with them. She created a cozy space in a glass cage where visitors could see them. She expanded her work by establishing a nursery in an unused storeroom, painting and decorating, curtains and all, where the tiger cubs could sleep at night. When zoo officials finally discovered her, they realized the value of what she had accomplished and offered her a permanent, paid position as the first woman zookeeper, caring for many species of animal babies. Telling the tale with great attention to detail, Fleming perfectly captures both time and place as well as the loving, determined woman who forged her way in a man's profession. Downing's illustrations in a wide variety of sizes and hues will keep readers' attention glued to the pages and are in sync with the text in every way. The Martinis present white, and the animals are cuddly and packed with personality. A lovely homage to a little-known woman and her quiet achievement. (afterword, bibliography, source notes) (Picture book/biography. 4-9)
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July 1, 2020
PreS-Gr 3-Bronx residents Helen and Fred Martini's wish for children came true in a unique manner: Fred, employed at the Bronx Zoo, brought home a newborn lion. Abandoned by its mother, the infant required tender nurturing. Helen's expert maternal skills allowed the cub to blossom. When he was two months old, the cub was sent to another zoo. In time, Fred brought home three tiger cubs. These babies also thrived. At three months of age, the cubs returned to the Bronx Zoo, but Helen accompanied them, eventually establishing an animal nursery. She secured the job of "keeper of the nursery," the first zookeeper position a woman ever held there. The charming saga of Helen's journey from a homemaker to a pioneering zookeeper is narrated in well-written, accessible prose. Gentle humor is on display in descriptions of the cubs' playful antics. Animal lovers will appreciate the message that animal care requires compassion, concern, and respect. Downing's clean, cheerful illustrations, mostly arranged in panels, delightfully depict the cuddly appeal of Helen's charges and portray endearing human-animal bonds. An interesting author's note provides additional information about Helen's zoo work and her methods of caring for her animal "children" at home. Students may discuss, write about, or illustrate how they care for their pets. Alternatively, educators could have students discuss zoos' roles in the care and protection of animals. VERDICT Charming and adorable; recommended for school and public collections.-Carol Goldman, formerly at Queens Lib., NY
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from July 1, 2020
Preschool-G *Starred Review* While her husband, Fred, spent his days working at the Bronx Zoo in the 1940s, Helen Martini longed for a baby. When Fred comes home with a baby one day?a neglected lion cub?it's not the kind Helen anticipated, but she immediately takes the cub in her arms, names him MacArthur, and gives him round-the-clock care. And like many proud mamas, Helen documents his firsts and overlooks the chewed-up shoes and ripped couch for lap snuggles. All seems well in the storylike narrative and endearing, patterned illustrations that reflect both the colors and culture of the time period and the range of emotions felt by Helen, especially when MacArthur is taken away to another zoo. After nurturing more babies at home, this time tiger cubs, and another difficult goodbye, Helen begins to tend to their needs directly at the zoo. She takes mothering other baby animals into her own hands, secretly creating a nursery in an abandoned building. When zoo officials discover her enterprise, they surprisingly approve, and Helen becomes the first female zookeeper at the Bronx Zoo. A concluding note provides more information about this groundbreaking figure and explains how, like Helen, women of this era sometimes had to find quiet ways to break societal and gender norms. A charming reflection of courage and change.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)
July 1, 2020
"Helen and Fred Martini longed for a baby," begins this engaging picture-book biography. Fred spends his days working at the Bronx Zoo, while his wife Helen stays at home in their city apartment, dreaming and planning for a child, until the day Fred brings home a lion cub who needs a surrogate mother. Helen accepts the role with pleasure. Warm, retro cartoon art captures all the adorable and humorous antics of baby animals as Helen undertakes fostering first the lion cub and then, later, four tiger cubs. The art makes it easy to forget the wild nature of these giant cats who like to snuggle and sit in laps, and the interplay between the pictures and the lively text creates a heartwarming and upbeat atmosphere. When the time comes for the tiger cubs to return to the Bronx Zoo, Helen quietly but tenaciously follows and stays with them, ultimately making a space for herself at the zoo and becoming the first woman zookeeper there. This tribute captures all of the delight and empowerment of Helen's story while only hinting at some of the possible challenges. An author's note places the events in the early 1940s and delves a little deeper into Helen Martini's story, touching on historical issues in zookeeping as well as women's roles in the workforce. A selected bibliography is included for readers looking for additional context.
(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
Starred review from September 1, 2020
"Helen and Fred Martini longed for a baby," begins this engaging picture-book biography. Fred spends his days working at the Bronx Zoo, while his wife Helen stays at home in their city apartment, dreaming and planning for a child, until the day Fred brings home a lion cub who needs a surrogate mother. Helen accepts the role with pleasure. Warm, retro cartoon art captures all the adorable and humorous antics of baby animals as Helen undertakes fostering first the lion cub and then, later, four tiger cubs. The art makes it easy to forget the wild nature of these giant cats who like to snuggle and sit in laps, and the interplay between the pictures and the lively text creates a heartwarming and upbeat atmosphere. When the time comes for the tiger cubs to return to the Bronx Zoo, Helen quietly but tenaciously follows and stays with them, ultimately making a space for herself at the zoo and becoming the first woman zookeeper there. This tribute captures all of the delight and empowerment of Helen's story while only hinting at some of the possible challenges. An author's note places the events in the early 1940s and delves a little deeper into Helen Martini's story, touching on historical issues in zookeeping as well as women's roles in the workforce. A selected bibliography is included for readers looking for additional context. Julie Roach
(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)