Zoo Animals

Vera Vasilievna Chaplina (Mikhaylova; 1908–1994) is a children’s writer who specialized in animals, and whose life and work were directly connected to the Moscow Zoo. Stories about its inhabitants are the main subject of her writing: she worked on it for about 40 years. These tales were based on notes about animal habits that she herself observed at the zoo and with which her friends and colleagues helped. From Vera Chaplina’s captivating, lively, and kind stories, children of all ages learn a lot about lions, wolves, foxes, walruses, otters, parrots, and many other animals and birds. Tender stories about our smaller brothers will teach young listeners to better understand animals and feel responsible for those they have been tamed. Adults will surely enjoy listening to these stories as well.