The audiobook The Zoo by Jawnie Payne is a captivating and enjoyable listen, especially for animal-loving kids. Packed with fun facts about animals and zoos, it's the perfect companion for a trip to the zoo.

I listened to this with my 6-year-old and he loved it!

We both thought that the topic was interesting and informative. My son loved learning more about the zoo. This book covers more than animals, including habitats like ponds and pollinators. I hadn't really ever thought about those components in a zoo, so I found these chapters enlightening.

My son liked the pace of the narration: it was slow enough for him to understand, especially with all of the more complex words.

This was such a fun audiobook. Loved the quality of the narration and the sound effects; it was perfect. Keep my kids entertained, and it's very educational. We all have listened to it multiple times, almost know some parts by memory at this point, but that's how you know it; 's a good book/ audiobook, when your kids want to play it over and over again.

I received a copy of this audiobook from netGalley for a honest review.

What a great book for anyone-especially a kid- who loves zoos! This book goes into all the things that happen in a day at a zoo, not just what zookeepers do but the gardeners, vets and other staff too. So much happens behind the scenes and this book highlights just that.

I listened to this with my two year old daughter who was interested in it as well! We enjoy the sound effects and sometimes the animal noises included in the story. I think this would be good from 2-12 year olds, especially those interested in working with animals. I would also appreciate a little more animal noises included to keep the younger audiences’ attention longer! My daughter lasted through 10 minutes in a car ride just listening, which is amazing!

Thank you Macmillan for the audiobook. This was such a fantastic and fun read! An educational and interactive feeling book! Absolutely loved the narration. The music was very child like and kept things fresh and moving. This book takes you through a day at the zoo and shows an overview of all the jobs at the zoo, what goes into caring for animals and conservation. Kids will absolutely enjoy this read over and over. Perfect for read aloud time with the family!

This was an unexpected delight! I thought I would be learning about a fictional adventure at a zoo, but had the experience of learning about the behind the scenes goings on at a zoo. Seeing the animals through a trainers eyes, I learned more about why animals are trained (not for performing, but for the keepers' safety, and to create a symbiotic relaitonship. For instance, some animals learn to put their paw on the fence so a keeper can check for injuries or clip their nails).

This was a fantastic audiobook, and I highly recommend it for schools and libraries.

A cute book that gives an overview of all the different jobs at a zoo, what goes into caring for animals at a zoo, and the role zoos play in conservation. I thought it was a great book for kids who love animals and the zoo.

Another incredibly well done audiobook from Macmillion Audio. I enjoyed the story, which explored many aspects of the zoo. The audiobook was engaging with the variation in inflection and background sounds adding to the experience. The narration was clear yet also fun and I’m sure we’ll be entertaining for little ones and adult to listen to alike. I especially enjoy children’s audiobooks that are a little longer and at approximately 45 minutes this is perfect so that my kids can enjoy one full story while running errands. This is another book that I want to grab physical copy as I’m sure the illustrations help demonstrate all that I learned about the zoo.

*The Zoo: The Inside Story* is an absolute delight—an engaging, informative, and immersive audiobook that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of zoos. Jawnie Payne does a fantastic job covering a wide range of topics, from the daily routines of zookeepers and security guards to the careful planning of animal diets, enrichment activities, and conservation efforts for endangered species. The writing strikes the perfect balance—educational yet accessible, never talking down to young listeners while keeping the content lively and engaging.

The production quality elevates the experience even further. The narrator’s warm and expressive delivery makes the material feel even more engaging, while subtle sound effects and music add a layer of fun without overwhelming the storytelling. This audiobook doesn’t just teach—it brings the zoo to life in a way that will captivate animal-loving kids (and even curious adults!).

I’d give this **5 out of 5 stars** without hesitation. It’s a wonderful choice for elementary-aged listeners who are passionate about animals or anyone who enjoys well-crafted nonfiction. Highly recommended! My thanks to **NetGalley** and **MacMillan Audio** for the advanced listener copy.

Interesting story about the life of a zookeeper! A fun listen for my 3 year old and would be a great choice prior to or after a zoo trip.