Becker, Aaron. Last Zookeeper, The. Aaron Becker, Illus. Candlewick, 03/2024. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5362-2768-0. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.
A surprisingly emotional wordless picture book about climate change, storms, and rising oceans. Becker, known for his previous titles—Journey (Candlewick, 2013), Quest (Candlewick, 2014), and Return (Candlewick, 2016)—shows how a robot named Noa cares for zoo animals that are stranded after their homes are flooded. Noa carries the animals (two by two) in an ark to a new land, but they meet storms while at sea. Only after another bot joins the journey are they able to find a new garden island to settle on. Amazing ink and watercolor artwork fills each spread, with both sweeping landscapes and bits of miniscule details that will be discovered by readers who sit with the book for multiple readings. This might not work for group readings in a classroom or library setting, but it will surely delight observant readers who can look through it alone or one-on-one with their grownups. Review based on an ARC.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K–8 / Oakland Unified School District