Mother to Tigers

This book is about Helen Frances Theresa Delaney, the first female zookeeper who raised lion and tiger cubs in her home before taking them to the zoo where her husband worked. Eventually, she set up a nursery to raise and care for all of the baby animals born there. This book has a combination of gray-scale and color pictures, beautifully illustrated. It gives information on Helen's life, as well as information about raising baby animals, but tells all in the form of a story, building interest. This book nicely integrates social studies with science and literacy, and could be used as a resource in such a unit. I also appreciate this book because it contributes to female representation by telling the story of the first female zookeeper. show more It mentions she was initially not paid, alluding to societal issues, which could also become a topic of conversation, but more so, the book is about her dedication and contribution to history. The end of the book connects to the lives of students by reminding them that the grandparents of the big cats they see at their own zoo could have been raised by Helen herself. show less

This is a great piece of semi-biographical work. It has a memoir-like quality and is very well written. I, like much of the known world, had never heard of Helen Martini before this, but now I've gained great respect for her work. She is a truly inspirational figure in women's history, though certainly little known outside of the zookeeping community.

This biography eloquently tells the commitment Helen Martini gave to rescue baby animals born in the zoo. This story is most appropriate for first through second graders. Students will enjoy learning what Helen did and the influence she had on the future of zoos.

This is a book about Helen Frances Theresa Delaney Martini and all the cubs she saved and raised. First from her appartment and then at the zoo where she created a nursery for baby animals born in the zoo. It is a good story and very interesting especially for anyone who loves the zoo or animals. This would be a great book to start with for a biography section in school.