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Welcome To The Zoo: 30 short stories about animals, sometimes funny
Explore the captivating world of animals through 30 heartwarming and enchanting stories in our anthology. Join us on a journey of discovery, empathy, and wonder as we uncover the remarkable stories of creatures big and small, each with their own unique adventures to share. Whether you're a nature lover, a storyteller, or simply seeking inspiration, this anthology is a must-read for all ages. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our planet's animal inhabitants and be inspired by their extraordinary lives.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Paul Smith
383 books26 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile contains books from multiple authors of this name.
This profile contains books from multiple authors of this name.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 29, 2025
A Modern-Day Aesop’s Fables
At first, I didn’t know what to make of this book, because I was confused as to who its target audience was. The overview on Amazon claims it’s an anthology for all ages, and one review says it’s for kids between 6 and 12. But the language used, and sentence construction, along with the style and content of the 30 stories themselves, would indicate it’s aimed more towards older teenagers and young adults.
Apart from one story, they all follow the same five-chapter formula. Generally, Chapter One sets the scene and introduces the all-animal characters; Chapter Two expands on those, and develops the plotline; Chapters Three and Four provide the thrust of the action; with the final chapter often being more of an epilogue.
Once I’d finished the book and fully digested the stories, everything became clearer, and if the author set out to portray the beauty and diversity to be found in the world, and how harmony can overcome a variety of problems, he certainly succeeded.
Although the book is called Welcome To The Zoo, almost all the stories are actually set in the wilds of the jungle, and each one imparts an important moral about gender, religion, love, courage, friendship, inclusivity, and other emotionally heartwarming and educational messages.
In many ways, just as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is also known as A Modern Prometheus, this book could readily be seen as a modern Aesop’s Fables, with the animals portraying human behaviour which conveys a life lesson, in an entertaining and often humorous way.
Each of the 30 stories only takes a few moments to read, making this book perfect for a month of bedtimes.
So, the big question – four or five stars? In my opinion, Welcome To The Zoo is a book to be savoured. A marathon rather than a sprint. Which is why I suggest just one story a day for a month. The formulaic style might be a bit too much for any more. But, if handled in this way, the human values portrayed in these delightful tales will be successfully drip-fed to your child, meriting the full five stars.
At first, I didn’t know what to make of this book, because I was confused as to who its target audience was. The overview on Amazon claims it’s an anthology for all ages, and one review says it’s for kids between 6 and 12. But the language used, and sentence construction, along with the style and content of the 30 stories themselves, would indicate it’s aimed more towards older teenagers and young adults.
Apart from one story, they all follow the same five-chapter formula. Generally, Chapter One sets the scene and introduces the all-animal characters; Chapter Two expands on those, and develops the plotline; Chapters Three and Four provide the thrust of the action; with the final chapter often being more of an epilogue.
Once I’d finished the book and fully digested the stories, everything became clearer, and if the author set out to portray the beauty and diversity to be found in the world, and how harmony can overcome a variety of problems, he certainly succeeded.
Although the book is called Welcome To The Zoo, almost all the stories are actually set in the wilds of the jungle, and each one imparts an important moral about gender, religion, love, courage, friendship, inclusivity, and other emotionally heartwarming and educational messages.
In many ways, just as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is also known as A Modern Prometheus, this book could readily be seen as a modern Aesop’s Fables, with the animals portraying human behaviour which conveys a life lesson, in an entertaining and often humorous way.
Each of the 30 stories only takes a few moments to read, making this book perfect for a month of bedtimes.
So, the big question – four or five stars? In my opinion, Welcome To The Zoo is a book to be savoured. A marathon rather than a sprint. Which is why I suggest just one story a day for a month. The formulaic style might be a bit too much for any more. But, if handled in this way, the human values portrayed in these delightful tales will be successfully drip-fed to your child, meriting the full five stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review