What we're reading - Seneca Park Zoo
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What we’re reading
Enjoy these staff recommendations for
great books on wildlife and wild places,
perfect for adult readers. Go green and
borrow the books via e-reader from the
Monroe County Public Library!
A History of Seneca Park Zoo, by Maureen Beautiful Joe, by Marshall Saunders, 1955
Whalen, 2020 Recommended by Tina Fess, Zoologist
Recommended by Sarah Hanson, Director Written as an autobiography from the
of Marketing dog’s point of view, this bittersweet story
Zoo docent and historian Maureen Whalen takes the reader through a world of animal
has written the first comprehensive history life and sadly, animal abuse. Originally
of the Zoo, tracking the many changes over designed for young readers but a story that
its 125 years. A compelling read! should be read by all.
Wild Lives Otters: On the Swirl of the Tide,
The Overstory, by Richard Powers, 2018 by Bridget and Don MacCaskill, 2006
Recommended by Erin Donnelly, Recommended by David Hamilton, Interim
Membership Manager Zoo Director
The Overstory is a collection of stories A documented 12-year study of three
about trees and humans’ relationship to wild otters and how they became used
nature. It’s a 2019 Pulitzer prize-winning to the humans following their habits and
work of fiction, but its themes ring true behaviors. This book includes amazing
to the real-life struggles the planet and its photographs of otters in their natural
inhabitants are facing. habitat.
The Genesis of Animal Play: Testing the
Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver,
Limits, by Gordon Burghardt, 2005
2000
Recommended by David Hamilton, Interim
Recommended by Gretchen Spencer,
Zoo Director
School and Group Programs Coordinator
This study of play in animals digs deep
The overall theme is about connection -- to
into the study of evolution, behavioral
nature, to other human beings.
organization and the psychology of
how different species of animals play. A
fascinating view into the development of
animal behaviors.
Walden, by Henry David Thoreau, 2012
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love
Recommended by Rhonda K. McDonald, Story of an Owl and His girl, by Stacey
Program Manager O’Brien, 2008
The book summarizes the time Thoreau Recommended by Susan Herzberg, Docent
spent living in nature, away from society
A biologist adopts baby barn owls,
(which ties in a bit with living away from
follows them over 19 years. A charming,
society right now with social distancing).
heartwarming read.
There are details of nature journaling and
observations, as well as information about
the intrinsic value of connecting with
nature.
Sasquatch: Legend meets Science, by Jeff Beyond Words: What Animals Think and
Meldrum, 2006 Feel, by Carl Safina, 2015
Recommended by Kelly Ulrich, Director of Recommended by Dr. Louis DiVincenti,
Education and Visitor Studies Assistant Zoo Director - Animal Care &
Dr. Meldrum is an Associate Professor of Conservation
Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State In a very accessible way, the author shares
University, and in this book, he analyzes scientific research that shows the depths
possible evidence of Sasquatch. This is a to which a variety of species think and feel,
great read for anyone who is curious about and calls on humans to reconsider how we
the existence of creatures that science has care for animals and our planet given this
not found or described or who is interested understanding.
in following a case study of scientific
inquiry. My Penguin Year: Life among the
Emperors, by Lindsay McCrae, 2019
The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Recommended by Holly Hammond,
Man’s Love Affair with Nature, by J. Drew Docent
Lanham, 2016 The story of an award-winning
Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez, photographer and cinematographer who
President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo spent 11 months in Antarctica as part of a
Society three-man team living his life’s dream to
Lanham is a wildlife ecologist, professor, photograph Emperor penguins. He was
author, and poet committed to “coloring commissioned by the BBC to provide
the conservation conversation”. He also documentation of the life cycle of the
serves as a role model for the Zoo’s Urban penguins through all seasons, including the
Ecologists. The book is charming, funny, high points and the low.
and an extraordinary meditation on nature
and belonging.
Wild Life: Dispatches from a Childhood
The Intimate Ape, by Shawn Thompson, 2010 of Baboons and Button-Downs, by Keena
Roberts, 2019
Recommended by Dr. Louis DiVincenti,
Assistant Zoo Director - Animal Care & Recommended by Holly Hammond,
Conservation Docent
This book is written by a journalist This is a memoir of the author’s childhood
and intimately evaluates orangutan in Kenya and Botswana living with
conservation through the point of view of her parents and sister in camps where
the people who study and work with them, they studied Vervet Monkeys in Kenya
in the wild, in rehabilitation centers, and and baboons in Botswana. She chose
in zoos. He connects the reader to what stories that illustrated the challenges she
makes orangutans so special and what faced moving back and forth between
inspires people to care for them. Philadelphia and Botswana. The author
made it easy to picture the situations that
she described, and I became engrossed in
Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives, each story.
by Thomas French, 2013
Recommended by Dr. Louis DiVincenti, A Natural History of the Senses, by Diane
Assistant Zoo Director - Animal Care & Ackerman, 1990
Conservation Recommended by Darla Bragg, Guest
The book is a very well researched, fair Services Coordinator
examination of the role of modern zoos Some would say “To better understand
in a time of extinction caused by human nature, we must first understand
activities, within the setting of Lowry Park ourselves.” How exactly do we perceive
Zoo in Tampa. The author delves into our environment, wherever that may be?
real ethical issues involved with human’s Ackerman dives into each one of the five
appreciation and control of nature human senses and explores the possibilities
and invites the reader to consider for through poetic yet scientific storytelling.
themselves the positives and the negatives It will leave you feeling much more
of the power of zoos to save animals and connected to the world outside of yourself,
inspire people. and more aware of the observations that
you are capable of making.
Hannah’s Dream, by Diane Hammond, 2008 The Odyssey of KP2: An Orphan Seal and
Recommended by Tina Fess, Zoologist a Marine Biologists fight to Save a Species,
An elephant never forgets, but can by Terrie M. Williams, 2012
she dream? A charming story of a lone Recommended by James Weinpress,
elephant and the relationship of her long- Zoologist
time animal handler. When a new elephant I read this book as a young keeper and
keeper comes into their world, a plan is was truly enthralled in this story. At the
hatched to get Hannah into an Elephant time I didn’t realize all the factors that must
Sanctuary to no longer be alone. A great be addressed when creating an effective
read for all ages. conservation program. This includes
recognizing the needs of the animals and
Zamba: The True Story of The Greatest their habitat, the needs of the people who
Lion that Ever Live, by Ralph Helfer, 2005 live in close proximity to them, and the
Recommended by Tina Fess, Zoologist cultural relevance of an endemic species.
Ralph Helfer, one of Hollywood’s top animal This story serves as a true eye opener to
behaviorists, is a firm believer in “affection the world of wildlife conservation.
training” -- that love, not fear, should be the
The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable
basis of any animal’s development, even
Achievement of Earthworms, by Amy
when dealing with the most dangerous of
Stewart, 2005
creatures. Then Zamba came into his life
-- an adorable four-month-old lion cub Recommended by James Weinpress,
that went on to prove Helfer’s theories Zoologist
resoundingly correct. Amy Stewart takes us on a subterranean
adventure. Witty, offbeat, charming,
Life at the Zoo: Behind the Scenes with the and ever curious, she unearths the
Animal Doctors, by Phillip T. Robinson, 2004 complex web of life beneath our feet and
Recommended by James Weinpress, investigates the role earthworms play in
Zoologist cutting-edge science—from toxic cleanups
Seasoned veterinarian Phillip T. Robinson to the study of regeneration.
shares his remarkable stories of working The Wasp That Brainwashed the
at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. An Caterpillar, by Matt Simon, 2016
excellent introduction to the zoo world. Recommended by Azzara Osten, Zoo
keeper
Planet of the Bugs: Evolution and the Rise It’s a fun book that makes a sometimes-
of Insects, by Scott Richard Shaw, 2014 complex science topic very accessible.
Recommended by James Weinpress, The author highlights lots of interesting
Zoologist evolutionary stories, and how animals came
to have unique (and sometimes weird)
Planet of the Bugs spins a sweeping
adaptations or relationships. There are
account of insects’ evolution from humble
illustrations, and lots of cool facts to keep
arthropod ancestors into the bugs we
readers engaged.
know today. This “excellent guide to the
history of our planet” offers a bugs-eye
Elephant Memories: Thirteen Years in the
view of evolution, biodiversity, and todays
Life of an Elephant Family, by Cynthia
ecological crises.
Moss, 1988
Never Home Alone: From Microbes Recommended by Lynn Harris, Docent
to Millipedes, Camel Crickets and The chronicle of Moss’s long-term study of
Honeybees, The Natural History of Where an African elephant family and their daily
We Live, by Rob Dunn, 2019 lives. Great stories as she describes the
Recommended by James Weinpress, herd interactions she observed.
Zoologist
A natural history of the wilderness in our
homes, from the microbes in our showers
to the crickets in our basements. Biologist
Rob Dunn introduces us to the nearly
200,000 species living with us in our own
homes. You may never look at your home
the same way again!
Biophilia by E.O. Wilson, 1984 Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous
Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez, Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and
President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo the Teaching of Plants, by Robin Wall
Society Kimmerer, 2013
A personal reflection by the founder of Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez,
the Encyclopedia of Life and Pulitzer Prize President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo
winner, on our innate affinity to nature and Society
other species, which he termed “biophilia.” Native American legends feature plants
A beautifully written and optimistic treatise and animals as the source of knowledge
calling for environmental stewardship. If and as teachers. Kimmerer blends her
you’ve never read anything by Wilson, this indigenous heritage with her scientific
is where to start, although The Future of training as a botanist to encourage a wider
Life is a must read as well. ecological consciousness. Beautifully,
magically written.
The Forest Unseen: A Year’s Watch in Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our
Nature, by David George Haskell, 2012 Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins,
Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez, Woodpeckers and Other Wildlife, by
President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo John M. Marzluff, 2014
Society Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez,
Haskell observed one – square meter President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo
patch of old growth forest in Tennessee Society
nearly daily for one year, and shares his A beginner’s guide to urban ecology,
observations in delightful prose as nature exploring our own backyards to encourage
unfolds in this Pulitzer Prize finalist book. a land ethic appreciating the importance of
the biodiversity in our own living spaces.
The Genius of Birds, by Jennifer
Ackerman, 2016
Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez,
President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo
Society
You don’t have to be a bird lover to enjoy
this book exploring the brilliance of avian
species and taking the reader to remote
locations around the world.
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural
History, by Elizabeth Kolbert, 2014
Recommended by Pamela Reed Sanchez,
President and CEO of Seneca Park Zoo
Society
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this book
discusses the five mass extinctions that
the earth has experienced previously,
through the evidence that we are presently
experiencing the sixth extinction. A
powerful and accessible writer, Kolbert
writes in the same conversational tones
that made her “Field Notes from a
Catastrophe” so compelling.
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