Scholastic Press, Australia, 2026
Illustrations by A. Yi
Book design Nae Shiowaza-West
In Our Family Zoo by Maura Pierlot, we follow, in lilting rhyme, the conversation of a mum and her small son as he begs for another pet to add to their considerable menagerie, all living in a small family home.
Already there are a dog, a cat, a rat, a frog, three budgies, a sheep, echidnas, possums, emus, a kookaburra, a kangaroo and lizards.
The young lad suggests to his long-suffering mum that a baboon, a sloth, a crab, a platypus, a goat, some fish or mice might be nice additions. Mum drops clues about an imminent addition to the family zoo, which the adult reader will understand but the boy (and perhaps the young reader) only cottons onto at the end.
It is almost with desperation that the boy lists guesses about the new critter, but finally upon learning the truth, he is overjoyed. There is nothing he wished for more – other than a dinosaur.
This book is humorous and engaging with simple, bright illustrations which nevertheless manage to subtly communicate the loving relationship between mother and son.
Again, this is an elevation of the ordinary life of a family to a world of imagination, lively conversation and a bright future. The celebration of the simultaneous simplicity and wonder of the home and all it entails is a welcome addition to the picture book scene.
Thank you to Scholastic for my review copy and to Maura for speaking with me about this charming glimpse into family life and its special moments of communication between child and parent.