The Last Zookeeper

About this book

In a dreamy, dystopian world, a solitary robotic figure can be seen loping through the floodwaters of a former zoo - caring for the few remaining animals left stranded on shrinking island sanctuaries. There are no other signs of life, just the decaying remnants of former civilisation. The robot cares for the animals, feeds them, and eventually builds an ark to sail them away from the rising tide.  

When a storm wrecks their boat, they are stranded on a barren island and all hope seems lost. But when a new robot appears in a hot air balloon, the bedraggled troupe may have a chance for salvation after all.  

Caldecott Honor-winner Aaron Becker’s wordless book conveys an incredibly emotive and compelling story through its intricately curated scenes. His illustrative style is beautiful and includes an impressive variety of techniques and styles which add character to each page.  

While wordless, this book offers plenty of scope for inference, comprehension and discussion. Themes of artificial intelligence, morality and environmental catastrophe are prominent – as are the comparisons which can be drawn to the biblical story of Noah’s ark.

This is an exquisite book, and one which will spark artistic curiosity in readers of all ages.