★ “A charming reflection of courage and change.”—Booklist, Starred Review
★ “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.”—The Horn Book, Starred Review
“The charming saga of Helen’s journey from a homemaker to a pioneering zookeeper is narrated in well-written, accessible prose. . . . Charming and adorable”—School Library Journal
“The account of romping around an apartment with adorable and affectionate baby big cats will make young audiences purr with joy (and a little envy). Line and watercolor art is cuddly and cozy, with drab wartime colors and lots of period hats in the crowds; the illustrations give the animals plenty of cuteness without overdoing it, keeping Helen Martini’s role front and center.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“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. . . . A lovely homage to a little-known woman and her quiet achievement.”—Kirkus Reviews
“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. . . . 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.” —Publishers Weekly
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