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Our Zoo
Until I brought friends back from school I didn't realise that most people didn't have baby lions in their bedrooms when they were sick, or bring parrots into the house so they wouldn't catch cold.'
Chester Zoo is counted among the top 10 zoos in the world and, with over 11,000 animals and 400 species, it is the most visited wildlife attraction in Britain. Unlike other zoos that owe their existence to philanthropists, explorers or big game hunters, Chester Zoo was the brainchild of one working-class man with a dream he had nurtured since he was a boy: to build a zoo without bars.
June Mottorshead was four years old when her father, George, moved his family to Upton, two miles out Chester, to begin the process of turning his dream into a reality. With no other children around to play with - her sister Muriel was 10 years older - June's friends became the animals. Her closest companion was an orphaned chimpanzee which her sister hadshe 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 clubs, head-butting a goat or opening the beak of a pelican soon graced the front pages of British newspapers. She was 13 when war was declared on 1939 and, with the backbone of the staff headed for the front, it fell to June to take over as head keeper. Keeping the zoo running while the war waged was no easy task. Despite rationing the animals had to be fed and all of them - penguins, elephants, leopards, tigers, lions, kangaroos and polar bears - needed to be moved into secure locked quarters inside as soon as the air raid siren sounded.
June, now in her eighties, is the guardian of her family's legacy and here in Our Zoo, she tells
Chester Zoo is counted among the top 10 zoos in the world and, with over 11,000 animals and 400 species, it is the most visited wildlife attraction in Britain. Unlike other zoos that owe their existence to philanthropists, explorers or big game hunters, Chester Zoo was the brainchild of one working-class man with a dream he had nurtured since he was a boy: to build a zoo without bars.
June Mottorshead was four years old when her father, George, moved his family to Upton, two miles out Chester, to begin the process of turning his dream into a reality. With no other children around to play with - her sister Muriel was 10 years older - June's friends became the animals. Her closest companion was an orphaned chimpanzee which her sister hadshe 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 clubs, head-butting a goat or opening the beak of a pelican soon graced the front pages of British newspapers. She was 13 when war was declared on 1939 and, with the backbone of the staff headed for the front, it fell to June to take over as head keeper. Keeping the zoo running while the war waged was no easy task. Despite rationing the animals had to be fed and all of them - penguins, elephants, leopards, tigers, lions, kangaroos and polar bears - needed to be moved into secure locked quarters inside as soon as the air raid siren sounded.
June, now in her eighties, is the guardian of her family's legacy and here in Our Zoo, she tells
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2014
34 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
February 15, 2017
I enjoyed the TV show very much so of course I was interested to read this book written by the daughter of the man who created the Chester Zoo. It was an easy read, basically made up of little anecdotes written as and when the author recalled them.
June Mottershead was part of the development of the zoo from when she was four years of age. I think I enjoyed the early stories the most especially the ones about Mary the chimpanzee who was June's best friend for several years.
As everything was viewed from June's perspective it was sometimes hard to feel how her father actually coped with all the hardships which were maybe better presented in the TV show. It was interesting that Mew, her sister, who gave up everything to be part of the zoo in the early days went away in the war and effectively never came back. I was left wondering why.
So, an interesting account but an incomplete one which left me a little unsatisfied.
June Mottershead was part of the development of the zoo from when she was four years of age. I think I enjoyed the early stories the most especially the ones about Mary the chimpanzee who was June's best friend for several years.
As everything was viewed from June's perspective it was sometimes hard to feel how her father actually coped with all the hardships which were maybe better presented in the TV show. It was interesting that Mew, her sister, who gave up everything to be part of the zoo in the early days went away in the war and effectively never came back. I was left wondering why.
So, an interesting account but an incomplete one which left me a little unsatisfied.
May 9, 2019
Picked this up after having visited the zoo twice and it's a stellar read all about the family behind one of today's best zoos. Really enjoyed the backstory, it's very easy to enjoy learning about and listening to, and I certainly recommend it. 4.5*s
January 18, 2018
I've been really enjoying the Secret Life of the Zoo on Channel 4 so decided to read this book about how Chester Zoo began. Its a wonderful story about a man determined to make his dream of a zoo without bars come true and who managed to succeed to make it a success against all odds with the help of his family. Told from the viewpoint of his youngest daughter June, I particularly love her tales of the special relationships and close bonds she formed with some of the animals including Mary the chimp, Punch the polar bear, Minnie the tapir, Pelly the pelican, Rob Rob the macaw and Christy the lion. Warning - just like the Secret Life of the Zoo it is quite an emotional roller-coaster as we experience the family's successes and failures while establishing the zoo and get attached to the animals in their care.
October 10, 2025
Simply put, one of the very best books that I have read in 2025.
I found out about this book after "bingeing " a BBC program on BritBox.
The series only ran for one season, and I thought that it was wonderful. When I spoke to my youngest daughter about how much I enjoyed the program, she gave me this book from which the TV series was made. Once again the book far exceeded the television program.
This is one of the most wholesome, family based books that I have read.
The author June Mottershead, tells the story of her life and the history of the zoo that her father George founded and along with his family built up by hand.
It is a true story, an incredible tale of grit, ingenuity and love.
It takes place from 1930-1948. The depression and the blitz and WWll could not stop the determination and love for animals of this wonderful family. This is their tale.
Footnote: Chester Zoo is a zoo in Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England. Opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family, The zoo is one of the UK's largest zoos at 130 acres. The zoo receives no government funding and is the most-visited wildlife attraction in Britain with more than 2 million visitors in 2019. In 2007 Forbes described the zoo as one of the fifteen best zoos in the world. In 2017 and more recently, 2024, the zoo was named as the best zoo in the UK and as also regarded as the third best in the world by TripAdvisor. This all from a dream that a young father pursued as he was recovering from a serious wound received in WWI.
I found out about this book after "bingeing " a BBC program on BritBox.
The series only ran for one season, and I thought that it was wonderful. When I spoke to my youngest daughter about how much I enjoyed the program, she gave me this book from which the TV series was made. Once again the book far exceeded the television program.
This is one of the most wholesome, family based books that I have read.
The author June Mottershead, tells the story of her life and the history of the zoo that her father George founded and along with his family built up by hand.
It is a true story, an incredible tale of grit, ingenuity and love.
It takes place from 1930-1948. The depression and the blitz and WWll could not stop the determination and love for animals of this wonderful family. This is their tale.
Footnote: Chester Zoo is a zoo in Upton-by-Chester, Cheshire, England. Opened in 1931 by George Mottershead and his family, The zoo is one of the UK's largest zoos at 130 acres. The zoo receives no government funding and is the most-visited wildlife attraction in Britain with more than 2 million visitors in 2019. In 2007 Forbes described the zoo as one of the fifteen best zoos in the world. In 2017 and more recently, 2024, the zoo was named as the best zoo in the UK and as also regarded as the third best in the world by TripAdvisor. This all from a dream that a young father pursued as he was recovering from a serious wound received in WWI.
November 15, 2014
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.
September 8, 2019
Having lived by Chester zoo and near Shavington as well as watching the TV series and hearing June speak at Chester Literature festival, I had lots of reasons for wanting to read this book.
It didn't disappoint. I learnt just how pioneering Chester and George Mottershead vision for zoos was.
The influence of the war on the zoo brought insights into zoo life and the war I hadn't considered before.
If you're looking for a classic piece of literature then you'll find it rather parochial but that's not the point of this wonderful memoir.
It didn't disappoint. I learnt just how pioneering Chester and George Mottershead vision for zoos was.
The influence of the war on the zoo brought insights into zoo life and the war I hadn't considered before.
If you're looking for a classic piece of literature then you'll find it rather parochial but that's not the point of this wonderful memoir.
February 1, 2018
A fascinating account of Chester Zoo between its founding by her father George Mottershead and her marriage to the Head Keeper Fred Williams in 1950. It was a huge and risky family undertaking, desperately underfunded for years until the local gentry realised that the zoo was a serious zoological proposition not just a circus show. Extremely hard work for the family and the few staff particularly during the deprivations of the second world war, life became easier once the zoo became the North England Zoological Society with adopters and sponsors. Mr Mottershead's progressive and humane views allowed plenty of space light and fresh air for his collection of animals and the reduction of physical barriers by the digging of wide moats to create islands. June's personal recollections plus good research also gives us a broad social history of life in Cheshire in the 1930s and 1940s. At an individual level one meets zoo workers as family members, refugees, orphans together with many aristocrats who donate generously.
December 23, 2024
A fantastic book telling the story of how chester zoo started and a great insight to the behind the scenes and some fantastic stories
November 16, 2014
Review: Our Zoo by June Mottershead
Publication date: 9th October 2014
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 9781472226358
Source: Publisher, via bobookbridgr/netgalley
Marks: 4½/5
Synopsis:
A wonderfully nostalgic memoir detailing the fascinating lives of the working class family behind the phenomenally successful Chester Zoo.When George Mottershead moved to the village of Upton-by-Chester in 1930 to realise his dream of opening a zoo without bars, his four-year-old daughter June had no idea how extraordinary her life would become. Soon her best friend was a chimpanzee called Mary, lion cubs and parrots were vying for her attention in the kitchen, and finding a bear tucked up in bed was no more unusual than talking to a tapir about granny's lemon curd. Pelican, penguin or polar bear - for June, they were simply family.The early years were not without their obstacles for the Mottersheads. They were shunned by the local community, bankruptcy threatened and then World War Two began. Nightly bombing raids turned the dream into a nightmare and finding food for the animals became a constant challenge. Yet George's resilience, resourcefulness and tenacity eventually paid off. Now over 80 years since June first set foot in the echoing house, Chester Zoo has achieved worldwide renown.Here, in her enthralling memoir, June Mottershead chronicles the heartbreak, the humour, the trials and triumphs, above all the characters, both human and animal, who shaped her childhood.
My review:
I was so looking forward to reading this account of how Chester Zoo began, as an animal lover, I'd been enthralled by the TV series of the same name. The book is a little different to the series, which was adapted for TV audiences, but this original account by the youngest Mottershead is equally enchanting.
This memoir focuses very much on the animals and how the grounds of Oakfield were turned into the first zoo without bars, which I found fascinating. The attention to detail is fantastic, the recount captivating.
My only criticism is that I didn't really like so much focus on the war details, which I'm afraid I found a little boring. Obviously the war had a great impact on the zoo so I totally understand it's inclusion; I just prefer reading about the animals.
Publication date: 9th October 2014
Publisher: Headline
ISBN: 9781472226358
Source: Publisher, via bobookbridgr/netgalley
Marks: 4½/5
Synopsis:
A wonderfully nostalgic memoir detailing the fascinating lives of the working class family behind the phenomenally successful Chester Zoo.When George Mottershead moved to the village of Upton-by-Chester in 1930 to realise his dream of opening a zoo without bars, his four-year-old daughter June had no idea how extraordinary her life would become. Soon her best friend was a chimpanzee called Mary, lion cubs and parrots were vying for her attention in the kitchen, and finding a bear tucked up in bed was no more unusual than talking to a tapir about granny's lemon curd. Pelican, penguin or polar bear - for June, they were simply family.The early years were not without their obstacles for the Mottersheads. They were shunned by the local community, bankruptcy threatened and then World War Two began. Nightly bombing raids turned the dream into a nightmare and finding food for the animals became a constant challenge. Yet George's resilience, resourcefulness and tenacity eventually paid off. Now over 80 years since June first set foot in the echoing house, Chester Zoo has achieved worldwide renown.Here, in her enthralling memoir, June Mottershead chronicles the heartbreak, the humour, the trials and triumphs, above all the characters, both human and animal, who shaped her childhood.
My review:
I was so looking forward to reading this account of how Chester Zoo began, as an animal lover, I'd been enthralled by the TV series of the same name. The book is a little different to the series, which was adapted for TV audiences, but this original account by the youngest Mottershead is equally enchanting.
This memoir focuses very much on the animals and how the grounds of Oakfield were turned into the first zoo without bars, which I found fascinating. The attention to detail is fantastic, the recount captivating.
My only criticism is that I didn't really like so much focus on the war details, which I'm afraid I found a little boring. Obviously the war had a great impact on the zoo so I totally understand it's inclusion; I just prefer reading about the animals.
September 3, 2015
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.
June 12, 2015
Imagine growing up living at a zoo with lions, bears, elephants, and so many more exotic creatures. All the while, none of them are behind the bars of a regular zoo. The founder of the Chester Zoo, George Mottershead had always dreamed of having a zoo of his own where there were no bars. During the process of building the zoo there were lots of struggles but also lots of triumphs. The readers are taken on the journey of getting permission for the zoo, building the zoo, and getting animals to fill the zoo. The person who tells us about this amazingly true journey is June Mottershead, the daughter of George. It is definitely an action packed, and suspenseful book.
The book quality was very good. The description was done very well. There was lots of detail to help you visualize the zoo. I also liked that they included pictures of the progress of the zoo in sectioned off areas of the book. It was a page turner book, especially as they tested out the no bars to keep the animals in at the zoo idea that George had. I can’t think of anything that would’ve made this book better, it was perfect the way it was.
I think a potential audience for this book would be animal lovers! It is all things animals in this book. I think since this is a real zoo, and it is still around to this day, it would be interesting for people who have visited or want to visit this zoo to read it and get the history of it from someone who was there through it all!
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It had funny moments but also sad moments, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I will definitely read it again one day and I highly recommend it!
The book quality was very good. The description was done very well. There was lots of detail to help you visualize the zoo. I also liked that they included pictures of the progress of the zoo in sectioned off areas of the book. It was a page turner book, especially as they tested out the no bars to keep the animals in at the zoo idea that George had. I can’t think of anything that would’ve made this book better, it was perfect the way it was.
I think a potential audience for this book would be animal lovers! It is all things animals in this book. I think since this is a real zoo, and it is still around to this day, it would be interesting for people who have visited or want to visit this zoo to read it and get the history of it from someone who was there through it all!
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It had funny moments but also sad moments, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I will definitely read it again one day and I highly recommend it!
February 8, 2015
Having watched the TV series as well as having been to the Zoo, it was obvious that I would read the book.
The book provides a detailed account of how the Mottershead family came to starting the Zoo, the problems that developed from the resistance of the villagers in Upton, the struggles of having to feed a Zoo full of animals during the Second World War when the country was rationing food, and the innovations they made to overcome these challenges.
The writing is more conversational than anything, particularly when stating that she no longer remembers the names of a certain person or animal, or that she wasn't there but this is what happened.
Our Zoo is full of descriptions regarding the people that worked at the Zoo, those that invested in it, and the different types of animals that were obtained over the years. As well as giving a lot of factual information surrounding the history of the beginning of the Zoo, the author makes excellent use of humorous anecdotes which would keep the reader entertained and interested throughout - certainly my favourite parts. Pictures of animals and certain events throughout the book have been used to help elaborate parts of the book.
The only small negative thing about the book is that some may be confused when the author talks about events in a non-chronological order. Nevertheless this is only in certain parts and for the most part the book makes for an easy read.
The book provides a detailed account of how the Mottershead family came to starting the Zoo, the problems that developed from the resistance of the villagers in Upton, the struggles of having to feed a Zoo full of animals during the Second World War when the country was rationing food, and the innovations they made to overcome these challenges.
The writing is more conversational than anything, particularly when stating that she no longer remembers the names of a certain person or animal, or that she wasn't there but this is what happened.
Our Zoo is full of descriptions regarding the people that worked at the Zoo, those that invested in it, and the different types of animals that were obtained over the years. As well as giving a lot of factual information surrounding the history of the beginning of the Zoo, the author makes excellent use of humorous anecdotes which would keep the reader entertained and interested throughout - certainly my favourite parts. Pictures of animals and certain events throughout the book have been used to help elaborate parts of the book.
The only small negative thing about the book is that some may be confused when the author talks about events in a non-chronological order. Nevertheless this is only in certain parts and for the most part the book makes for an easy read.
February 24, 2019
3.9 stars! I really enjoyed it & thought it was surprisingly well-written. Very interesting to read a real-life story of someone who's dad decided to follow his childhood dream of starting a zoo where he came up with the revolutionary idea at the time of experimenting to create large animal enclosures without bars.
Also, especially having worked on a conservation tv show for the past few years myself, it's mindblowing to read about some of the completely ignorant ideas people had about conserving animals at the time. I couldn't believe that people used to commonly feed animals sweets for example. But it was a fascinating read, also realising that people had good intentions, but simply didn't know any better. What a relief to realise what a far way we've come purely in terms of knowledge with regards to conservation generally.
I loved the fact that this was such a human story that I could completely relate to of people intending to follow their dreams in spite of all the challenges they faced. And pursuing their dreams was simply an organic process of things unfolding one step at a time as they felt their way forward moment by moment, facing each challenge head-on, one at a time. The passion & zeal was what made it all worthwhile and eventually changed it into a roaring success, but the story had such an authentic homemade feel to it that I loved. Personally I found it very inspiring!
Also, especially having worked on a conservation tv show for the past few years myself, it's mindblowing to read about some of the completely ignorant ideas people had about conserving animals at the time. I couldn't believe that people used to commonly feed animals sweets for example. But it was a fascinating read, also realising that people had good intentions, but simply didn't know any better. What a relief to realise what a far way we've come purely in terms of knowledge with regards to conservation generally.
I loved the fact that this was such a human story that I could completely relate to of people intending to follow their dreams in spite of all the challenges they faced. And pursuing their dreams was simply an organic process of things unfolding one step at a time as they felt their way forward moment by moment, facing each challenge head-on, one at a time. The passion & zeal was what made it all worthwhile and eventually changed it into a roaring success, but the story had such an authentic homemade feel to it that I loved. Personally I found it very inspiring!
November 5, 2015
Imagine growing up in a zoo, wouldn’t that be great? Well for June Mottershead it was just daily life, nothing strange or unusual. But her best friend and companion was Mary, a chimpanzee! And, playing with a lion cub – well that was nothing out of the ordinary nor were the exotic parrots flying round the kitchen or a bear in the bedroom … they were just every day happenings.
From the age of four, Mottershead and her family lived at Oakfield, a large mansion surrounded by acres of gardens and paddocks – just perfect for a zoo, which is what George Mottershead, June’s father, had always wanted. Actually his dream was of a zoo without bars, which is what he achieved with Chester Zoo. But along the way, there were some pretty madcap experiences, such as rounding up the odd escapee, or the picking up of new animals from the docks and bringing them back to the zoo – by bus! Of course there were some challenges, the outbreak of World War II and rationing meant they had to come up with creative new ways of keeping the animals fed.
Chester Zoo, the zoo without bars, was also a leading light in using the adopt-an-animal approach to funding the upkeep and maintenance of the animal enclosures and surrounds. "Our Zoo" is an amazing memoir of an unusual upbringing – a great read filled with many humorous anecdotes. Recommended.
From the age of four, Mottershead and her family lived at Oakfield, a large mansion surrounded by acres of gardens and paddocks – just perfect for a zoo, which is what George Mottershead, June’s father, had always wanted. Actually his dream was of a zoo without bars, which is what he achieved with Chester Zoo. But along the way, there were some pretty madcap experiences, such as rounding up the odd escapee, or the picking up of new animals from the docks and bringing them back to the zoo – by bus! Of course there were some challenges, the outbreak of World War II and rationing meant they had to come up with creative new ways of keeping the animals fed.
Chester Zoo, the zoo without bars, was also a leading light in using the adopt-an-animal approach to funding the upkeep and maintenance of the animal enclosures and surrounds. "Our Zoo" is an amazing memoir of an unusual upbringing – a great read filled with many humorous anecdotes. Recommended.
August 1, 2017
This is an entertaining book full of old fashioned family values and a determination to make the best of every situation.
June Mottershed recounts her childhood growing up in a zoo. Her father George set out to make his family home into a zoo even when the odds were stacked against him. His wife, her mother, took on the plans with June's sister Muriel and grandparents accepting the challenge. The local community did not rally behind them for fear that such a place would lower the tone of the area. George pressed on with one scheme after another to make the venture a success.
The odd situations the family found themselves in seemed to be the norm to June. Why her friends thought it was odd that she played with a monkey and cared for lion cubs, she couldn’t fathom.
When he was a child, George had told his parent that he would build a zoo without bars, and that's what he did. He was a natural promoter and developer, even through war and tough times, he found a way to feed the animals and create a world class zoo.
The result is Chester Zoo which I recently enjoyed visiting when we were in England. I loved the spin off show 'Our Zoo' and that show is what caught my interest in visiting the zoo. We were not disappointed. Hearing a lion roar while we travelled above the enclosure on the monorail.
June Mottershed recounts her childhood growing up in a zoo. Her father George set out to make his family home into a zoo even when the odds were stacked against him. His wife, her mother, took on the plans with June's sister Muriel and grandparents accepting the challenge. The local community did not rally behind them for fear that such a place would lower the tone of the area. George pressed on with one scheme after another to make the venture a success.
The odd situations the family found themselves in seemed to be the norm to June. Why her friends thought it was odd that she played with a monkey and cared for lion cubs, she couldn’t fathom.
When he was a child, George had told his parent that he would build a zoo without bars, and that's what he did. He was a natural promoter and developer, even through war and tough times, he found a way to feed the animals and create a world class zoo.
The result is Chester Zoo which I recently enjoyed visiting when we were in England. I loved the spin off show 'Our Zoo' and that show is what caught my interest in visiting the zoo. We were not disappointed. Hearing a lion roar while we travelled above the enclosure on the monorail.
May 13, 2020
A beautiful story of the creation of Chester Zoo told in the words of June Mottorshead the daughter of Zoo creator George Mottorshead. June takes us back to her childhood with stories of her father collecting unusual and exotic animals, his dreams of showing these animals to people and creating something magical for people to see. June takes us on a journey into the beginnings of Chester Zoo with funny antidotes of animal mischief, we hear the ups and downs the family went through to create the Zoo.
It’s amazing to read how one man had a dream and with the help of his family created a Zoo that is still to this day in business and has grown so much.
I have such a fascination with how businesses are started and still surviving today. I really enjoyed every inch of this book, I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to learn more about the Zoo and did some searches about the Zoo when I finished this book. June’s stories have been made into a mini series which was very enjoyable.
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s interesting and just an overall lovely read.
It’s amazing to read how one man had a dream and with the help of his family created a Zoo that is still to this day in business and has grown so much.
I have such a fascination with how businesses are started and still surviving today. I really enjoyed every inch of this book, I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to learn more about the Zoo and did some searches about the Zoo when I finished this book. June’s stories have been made into a mini series which was very enjoyable.
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s interesting and just an overall lovely read.
August 28, 2020
Well now I know that I definitely need to have a Zoo in my life! I watched the TV series when it came out and I knew straight away that I would have to read the book, so as soon as I saw it available I snatched it up. This is a wonderful story about an incredible family that built something from hardly anything and turned it into one of the biggest zoo's in the UK. The way this has been written is very easy and flows very nicely, so you just want to keep reading to find out everything as quickly as you can to know what new animals are being added and what enclosure has been built next. To know that this family protected and maintained a whole zoo while a war was going on is something that needs to have recognition that they truly deserve, because with out them all Chester Zoo wouldn't be here today.
May 20, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. I picked it up because I really enjoyed the BBC Drama, and although this was very different (both in style and in accuracy) I wasn't let down. It's a really heart-warming tale that makes you laugh and cry, and is a good, absorbing light-hearted read. I read most of it in one sitting, because you're completely absorbed into the wonderful world that June Mottershead paints. It also has a gritty realism to it; the danger with memoirs like this is, of course, rose-tinted glasses, but I felt like there was hardly any of that. It was a very real story of some very real people achieving something extraordinary.
April 22, 2018
It is an incredible and inspiring story which provides a fascinating insight into Chester Zoo's early years and the ingenuity and drive needed by the Mottershead family to try to create something unique and special, 'a zoo without bars'. I'm glad the story of how Chester Zoo began has been recorded. I was sad to hear that June Mottershead sadly passed away less than a year after the book was published, she was in her late eighties.
March 20, 2021
Having lived near the zoo for many years and it being very special.place to me and my family I was very interested to read this book. It was lovely to read and very interesting. I remember when June and her son used to visit a pub I lived and worked in for lunch. She was a lovely lady and this book shares her unusual but fascinating life growing up in the zoo.
January 30, 2018
Fascinating true story. Recommended for animal fans and history fans alike.
April 3, 2018
Been reading this book since just after Christmas was reading it too a client I work with. They loved it so did I. Adorable and fascinating story what an i year childhood
August 21, 2019
Absolutely wonderful! This war time tale shows how one mans dream becomes a reality and how his legacy lives on!
Check out my full review on my blog -> http://bookworminglife.com/our-zoo/
Check out my full review on my blog -> http://bookworminglife.com/our-zoo/
August 23, 2023
I loved the TV series made about the foundation of Chester zoo, so was looking forward to reading June's story in her own words. This is an interesting insight into family life that includes chimps, polar bears, lions and other assorted animals - a life that young June didn't realise was so extraordinary. I think what does come across really well is that mixture of love for animals and the practicalities of their care that anyone working with them has to adopt - although sometimes it felt a little too normalised in places as June records their deaths. The war years were glossed over a bit, but you can understand the frustration of being unable to feed the animals when the country was starving - you can also understand why those years were not covered by the TV. What also comes across, especially by today's welfare standards, is the naivety of the early years when animals would be bought off the docks and veterinary care was minimal. It makes you thankful for how far we've now come.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
February 27, 2022
I loved this book, I picked this book up whilst visiting Chester zoo. This book is based on the creation of Chester zoo by George Mottershead and is written through the eyes of his youngest daughter June. I loved reading about the zoo developing and growing and all the hurdles along the way, not least the second world war! It was lovely being introduced to all the animals through the eyes of a child and young adult. A very heartwarming read.
February 6, 2025
*Listened on Audible*
After listening to this book, I understood why BBC made a tv-show out of it. What a story!
In addition to the many wonderful and almost unbelievable stories of the origin story of Chester Zoo, it had a historical side, which I appreciated and inevitably were a part of June's life.
And it was beautifully written - a delight and easy to follow! I loved listening it!
After listening to this book, I understood why BBC made a tv-show out of it. What a story!
In addition to the many wonderful and almost unbelievable stories of the origin story of Chester Zoo, it had a historical side, which I appreciated and inevitably were a part of June's life.
And it was beautifully written - a delight and easy to follow! I loved listening it!
July 28, 2019
This is the story of how Chester Zoo was first opened and the family behind it. Having done my university dissertation at Chester Zoo, I found the origin of it quite interesting. But nothing spectacular about the book really.
April 26, 2022
Easily one of my favourite books ever, don't think I've ever finished a book so quickly!
March 25, 2024
2.5 🌟 rounded up... Easy to read and very pleasant/wholesome, but boring in some parts. I do want to visit Chester Zoo now though.
November 11, 2014
'The real story of my life at Chester Zoo'
With this is something I don't do very often and that is read and review non-Fiction title.... in fact this is Gizzimomo's Book Shelf's first non-fiction review and it takes a lot for me to be interested enough in a subject to warrant digging out further information on but in this case I just had to..... and it's hard not to review the book without a few words about the recent BBC dramatisation of the Mottershead's story, Our Zoo as it inspired me to learn more which, in turn, led me to this book.
What an amazing mini-series it was too. I'm not sure whether people outside of the UK have had the opportunity to see Our Zoo yet but if you do it's a wonderful little series and worth digging out if you can find it.
The Plot Of The Story:
So what we have is June Mottershead's memoirs regarding the beginning of Chester Zoo and her family's struggles for acceptance, their fight to get the zoo off the ground in the 1930's and it was really a huge up-hill struggle for them, from the villagers where the zoo was to based being against them from the offset, through all the toils and tribulations of the Second World War.
George Mottershead had a dream to transform a ramshackle old house into a place for young and old to experience wildlife that they would have never seen before. It was a dream that he was determined to reach fruition as he moves his wife, his children and his parents into a small rural village just outside of Chester. He could never have imagine the fight he would have on his hands..... the derelict land he buys with a house in terrible state needs fixing up before he can fulfil the dream of the animals, money is tight and bankruptcy looms. He faces the wrath of the villages as they campaign to stop him in his tracks, every inch he gains is a fight, but it's a fight George is determined to win.
It is an inspiring story full of love and loss, jealousy and prejudice and a whole zoo full of the weird and the wonderful. All seen through the eyes of the youngest member of the Mottershead family, who was just a little girl when the whole thing began, who grew up with the zoo and watched it all unfurl before her eyes and grow into the Chester Zoo that we know today.
The Characters:
The Mottershead family:
George and Lizzie Mottershead - The husband and wife team who began the zoo, parents to June and Muriel.
June Mottershead - Just 4 years old when it began, she was raised with the animals and had a chimpanzee as a best friend for many years.
Muriel Mottershead - June sister, ten years older than her younger sister and the zoo's first official zoo-keeper.
Albert and Lucy Mottershead - George's parent and June's grandparent, had a huge influence on the zoo in the early days and lived on site with the family.
A zoo full of animals - What's a zoo without it's occupants and there are some real character among them like Mary the chimp, the polar bear and the penguins.
The Book's Setting (Time and Place):
The Time - The story spans several decades but begins in the 1930's in a time where few people had seen a wild and foreign animal, it continues through the Second World War and beyond.
The Place - In the village of Upton-By-Chester, Cheshire. Rural England with all it's pride and prejudices, often small-minded and unwilling to accept change. Small villages in England aren't always the easiest places to live even today, trust me as I grew up in one, as everyone knows everyone's business, they are very cliquey and newcomers are newcomers for a very long time after arrival.
The Writing:
It's harder to judge this book on it's writing as it's not fiction and is based on real truths but June Mottershead lived through the whole experience and her insights are very revealing and give us a glimpse into her word back then. It was a hard slog for the family but the results of their fight still remain today in the wonderful Chester Zoo which wouldn't even exist if the family hadn't gone through all of the tough times to make it the zoo it is today! June has retold her family's amazing true story in a lovely manner, sharing sweet little titbits on what really went on behind the scenes while keeping it very earthly with no bells an whistles, sticking to the plain truth making it the perfect companion to the mini-series.
Final Thoughts:
If you enjoyed the TV show then this is a must read companion to the show as it's give a deeper insight into what happened, although keep in mind the the makers of the show have made changes to the story for dramatic effect, something that June is quick to point out at the beginning of the book. This doesn't make the truth any less dramatic though, if anything it makes it all the more real. If you didn't see the show and want to read a book about triumph over tragedy then give this one a go, if you're interested in zoos in general and what goes into starting and running them, then again this is the book for you. Give it a go, it's a great read!
With this is something I don't do very often and that is read and review non-Fiction title.... in fact this is Gizzimomo's Book Shelf's first non-fiction review and it takes a lot for me to be interested enough in a subject to warrant digging out further information on but in this case I just had to..... and it's hard not to review the book without a few words about the recent BBC dramatisation of the Mottershead's story, Our Zoo as it inspired me to learn more which, in turn, led me to this book.
What an amazing mini-series it was too. I'm not sure whether people outside of the UK have had the opportunity to see Our Zoo yet but if you do it's a wonderful little series and worth digging out if you can find it.
The Plot Of The Story:
So what we have is June Mottershead's memoirs regarding the beginning of Chester Zoo and her family's struggles for acceptance, their fight to get the zoo off the ground in the 1930's and it was really a huge up-hill struggle for them, from the villagers where the zoo was to based being against them from the offset, through all the toils and tribulations of the Second World War.
George Mottershead had a dream to transform a ramshackle old house into a place for young and old to experience wildlife that they would have never seen before. It was a dream that he was determined to reach fruition as he moves his wife, his children and his parents into a small rural village just outside of Chester. He could never have imagine the fight he would have on his hands..... the derelict land he buys with a house in terrible state needs fixing up before he can fulfil the dream of the animals, money is tight and bankruptcy looms. He faces the wrath of the villages as they campaign to stop him in his tracks, every inch he gains is a fight, but it's a fight George is determined to win.
It is an inspiring story full of love and loss, jealousy and prejudice and a whole zoo full of the weird and the wonderful. All seen through the eyes of the youngest member of the Mottershead family, who was just a little girl when the whole thing began, who grew up with the zoo and watched it all unfurl before her eyes and grow into the Chester Zoo that we know today.
The Characters:
The Mottershead family:
George and Lizzie Mottershead - The husband and wife team who began the zoo, parents to June and Muriel.
June Mottershead - Just 4 years old when it began, she was raised with the animals and had a chimpanzee as a best friend for many years.
Muriel Mottershead - June sister, ten years older than her younger sister and the zoo's first official zoo-keeper.
Albert and Lucy Mottershead - George's parent and June's grandparent, had a huge influence on the zoo in the early days and lived on site with the family.
A zoo full of animals - What's a zoo without it's occupants and there are some real character among them like Mary the chimp, the polar bear and the penguins.
The Book's Setting (Time and Place):
The Time - The story spans several decades but begins in the 1930's in a time where few people had seen a wild and foreign animal, it continues through the Second World War and beyond.
The Place - In the village of Upton-By-Chester, Cheshire. Rural England with all it's pride and prejudices, often small-minded and unwilling to accept change. Small villages in England aren't always the easiest places to live even today, trust me as I grew up in one, as everyone knows everyone's business, they are very cliquey and newcomers are newcomers for a very long time after arrival.
The Writing:
It's harder to judge this book on it's writing as it's not fiction and is based on real truths but June Mottershead lived through the whole experience and her insights are very revealing and give us a glimpse into her word back then. It was a hard slog for the family but the results of their fight still remain today in the wonderful Chester Zoo which wouldn't even exist if the family hadn't gone through all of the tough times to make it the zoo it is today! June has retold her family's amazing true story in a lovely manner, sharing sweet little titbits on what really went on behind the scenes while keeping it very earthly with no bells an whistles, sticking to the plain truth making it the perfect companion to the mini-series.
Final Thoughts:
If you enjoyed the TV show then this is a must read companion to the show as it's give a deeper insight into what happened, although keep in mind the the makers of the show have made changes to the story for dramatic effect, something that June is quick to point out at the beginning of the book. This doesn't make the truth any less dramatic though, if anything it makes it all the more real. If you didn't see the show and want to read a book about triumph over tragedy then give this one a go, if you're interested in zoos in general and what goes into starting and running them, then again this is the book for you. Give it a go, it's a great read!
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