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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Read for an honest review for netgallery
I have to say the tv show sparked my interest in wanting to read this book and I'm glad it did.
This book was lovely, it wasn't an autobiography and it wasn't a novel i would class it as somewhere in between. It gives you a view of how things were for her as she was growing up, a true account rather than the tv series. You get to know the family and the workers of the zoo on an in depth level. It provides in depth descriptions about the war and the troubles that the zoo faced around this time, but also about the zoos troubles in general.
The only criticism i have is that there are some parts where it jumps back and forward which does make it hard to keep up but this can be over looked because of how good it is.
Its worth a read, there were parts that made me giggle but there were also more serious parts which make you stop and think.
I have to say the tv show sparked my interest in wanting to read this book and I'm glad it did.
This book was lovely, it wasn't an autobiography and it wasn't a novel i would class it as somewhere in between. It gives you a view of how things were for her as she was growing up, a true account rather than the tv series. You get to know the family and the workers of the zoo on an in depth level. It provides in depth descriptions about the war and the troubles that the zoo faced around this time, but also about the zoos troubles in general.
The only criticism i have is that there are some parts where it jumps back and forward which does make it hard to keep up but this can be over looked because of how good it is.
Its worth a read, there were parts that made me giggle but there were also more serious parts which make you stop and think.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5 stars.
After watching the tv series (and having been to the zoo myself) I was intrigued to learn more about the Mottershead family. It was written beautifully, so much so that it felt as though I was sat having a conversation with June in person. Her stories were completely heart-warming. My only critique would be that she often jumps back and forth with the time-frame when recounting a story.
After watching the tv series (and having been to the zoo myself) I was intrigued to learn more about the Mottershead family. It was written beautifully, so much so that it felt as though I was sat having a conversation with June in person. Her stories were completely heart-warming. My only critique would be that she often jumps back and forth with the time-frame when recounting a story.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A reflective and delightful account of the Mottershead's ambition to build Chester Zoo - a zoo without bars. I found it a little repetitive at times but enjoyed reading about life at the zoo during the war and the relationships June kindled with the animals.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Originally posted on bluchickenninja.com.
June Mottershead was four when her father, George, moved his family to Upton, two miles from Chester, to begin the process of turning his dream into a reality. With no other children around to play with – her sister Muriel was ten years older – June’s friends became the animals. Her closest friends became the animals. Her closest companion was an orphaned chimpanzee which she hand reared, and for six years the two were inseparable.
June soon became the poster girl for Chester Zoo and photographs of her cuddling lion cubs soon graced the front pages of British newspapers. She was 13 when war was declared in 1939 and, with the backbone of the staff headed to the front, it fell to June to take over as head keeper.
June is now in her eighties, is the guardian of her families legacy and in Our Zoo, she tells the fascinating story of a working class family with a very unusual home. This story of how her father set out to build a zoo without bars was turned into a six-part drama series currently airing on the BBC.
Stories about animals are basically my kryptonite and this book had many of them. There are plenty stories of hand-reared wild animals and the photographs of chimpanzees helping to build their own enclosure will melt your heart. This is a fascinating story of the every-day struggles and make-do attitude by the entire Mottershead family.
The story was told in chronological order with a few anecdotes outwith the timeline which was slightly confusing. I did feel that the story ended very abruptly and I turned the page expecting there would be more. But overall I loved this story and the only problem I had with it was the length. I would have quite happily read another 100 pages.
If you like these sorts of books I would also recommend Jeremy and Amy by Jeremy Keeling. This is the true story of a zoo keeper, an orangutan and one mans dream of turning a derelict pig farm in Dorset into a cageless sanctuary for primates.
*I received a copy of this book from Headline in exchange for an honest review.
June Mottershead was four when her father, George, moved his family to Upton, two miles from Chester, to begin the process of turning his dream into a reality. With no other children around to play with – her sister Muriel was ten years older – June’s friends became the animals. Her closest friends became the animals. Her closest companion was an orphaned chimpanzee which she hand reared, and for six years the two were inseparable.
June soon became the poster girl for Chester Zoo and photographs of her cuddling lion cubs soon graced the front pages of British newspapers. She was 13 when war was declared in 1939 and, with the backbone of the staff headed to the front, it fell to June to take over as head keeper.
June is now in her eighties, is the guardian of her families legacy and in Our Zoo, she tells the fascinating story of a working class family with a very unusual home. This story of how her father set out to build a zoo without bars was turned into a six-part drama series currently airing on the BBC.
Stories about animals are basically my kryptonite and this book had many of them. There are plenty stories of hand-reared wild animals and the photographs of chimpanzees helping to build their own enclosure will melt your heart. This is a fascinating story of the every-day struggles and make-do attitude by the entire Mottershead family.
The story was told in chronological order with a few anecdotes outwith the timeline which was slightly confusing. I did feel that the story ended very abruptly and I turned the page expecting there would be more. But overall I loved this story and the only problem I had with it was the length. I would have quite happily read another 100 pages.
If you like these sorts of books I would also recommend Jeremy and Amy by Jeremy Keeling. This is the true story of a zoo keeper, an orangutan and one mans dream of turning a derelict pig farm in Dorset into a cageless sanctuary for primates.
*I received a copy of this book from Headline in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 4.5/5
Our Zoo is a wonderful and personal insight into the establishment of a family run zoo (Chester Zoo). It highlights not only the struggles of starting the zoo but also the struggle to feed the animals during the rationing. It is definitely a fun, light read.
Our Zoo is an extremely realistic memoir by June Mottershead about her life living in a zoo from the age of four. There are only a few minor details lost through time (i.e. names etc). It is full of unique memories which clearly mean so much to June Mottershead and I feel privileged to have read them.
Our Zoo is also written in a very colloquial and easy to read manner. June Mottershead's story made me smile, laugh and very nearly cry. I only wish the story continued on further than it did (but, of course, it is clear that a lot of time and effort went into this wonderful story).
I would definitely recommend Our Zoo to fans of non-fiction, memoirs and animals. I also cannot wait to find a copy of the BBC drama series based on June Mottershead's fantastic stories. It also makes me want to visit Chester Zoo.
This review and many more can be found at My Expanding Bookshelf.
Our Zoo is a wonderful and personal insight into the establishment of a family run zoo (Chester Zoo). It highlights not only the struggles of starting the zoo but also the struggle to feed the animals during the rationing. It is definitely a fun, light read.
Our Zoo is an extremely realistic memoir by June Mottershead about her life living in a zoo from the age of four. There are only a few minor details lost through time (i.e. names etc). It is full of unique memories which clearly mean so much to June Mottershead and I feel privileged to have read them.
Our Zoo is also written in a very colloquial and easy to read manner. June Mottershead's story made me smile, laugh and very nearly cry. I only wish the story continued on further than it did (but, of course, it is clear that a lot of time and effort went into this wonderful story).
I would definitely recommend Our Zoo to fans of non-fiction, memoirs and animals. I also cannot wait to find a copy of the BBC drama series based on June Mottershead's fantastic stories. It also makes me want to visit Chester Zoo.
This review and many more can be found at My Expanding Bookshelf.
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Okay so like…June grew up in the 30s and 40s, and animal care in this book is not to be replicated irl please and thank. However! Her writing is joyous and her care for the animals palpable and generally this is a delightful look at a family run zoo in the early 20th century.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced