It was 1883 when an eight-year-old elephant named Jessie arrived in Sydney to live at a new zoo in Moore Park in Sydney. She was a calm elephant, letting children ride on her back as she walked slowly around the zoo.
It was not long before the zoological society realised that they needed a larger and better zoo. They found a place across the harbour, at Bradley’s Head, and began to move the animals to their new home. Everyone had now left except our elephant, Jesse.
In 1916 there was no bridge to cross the water. So early one morning when all was quiet, Mr Miller and Jesse walked out of the gate and took the long journey through the streets of Sydney. The milkman and his horse got a fright seeing an elephant, and someone shouted at such a sight. Jesse was calm as she wandered along. They walked all the way to the harbour edge where a ferry waited to sail her to her new home. After she boarded, she stood still as a statue as she watched the sights on the water until she arrived at her new home, Taronga Zoological Park.
This tale of the journey of a most beautiful, calm, yet huge animal documents the beginning of Taronga Zoo which now runs elephant breeding programs and raises money for elephant conservation.
Owen Swan has drawn us a map to chart Jesses’ journey, which took many hours at an elephant’s pace. The beautiful soft illustrations help us experience the early dawn, to the bright of day. They show us the depth of Jesse’s calm nature and the trust she and Mr Miller had.
This is an important book, well told, and one which should be remain a classic. But also, one that tugs at the heart.
Reviewed by Emily Ross
Age Guide 4+
Read an interview with Kate Simpson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Simpson was raised on a diet of children’s books, but it was her fascination with science that led her to her first career as a chemical engineer. Following the birth of her children, Kate re-discovered her love of picture books and soon decided to try her hand at writing them. She was quickly hooked. Kate now juggles a full-time job as an engineer with her writing work. Her books feature Australian history, science, curious kids and powerful women. How To Move a Zoo is Kate’s fifth picture book.
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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Owen Swan is an award-winning Australian illustrator whose work includes Outby Angela May George (Picture Book of The Year CBCA Shortlist & winner of the AAFT Book Award for Children’s Literature), My Friend Tertius by Corinne Fenton (a CBCA Notable); the bestselling picture book Anzac Biscuits, along with Newspaper Hats by Phil Cummings (winner of the Chronos Prize for Literature in France). As well as his picture book collaborations, Owen is also a musician and animator. He lives in Sydney, Australia
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