Mary Wilson and Her Wild and Wonderful Family

By Pat Smith

The true story, Mary Wilson and her Wild and Wonderful Family, introduces Mary and her unique animal family members

Mary is a young woman in the 1960's and dares to dream of spending her life taking care of animals. She loves animals as much as she does people. However, being an African American woman, Mary faces many challenges to follow her passion.

With effort and determination, Mary becomes the first African American Woman senior zookeeper at the Baltimore Zoo. But, she's not just a zookeeper, she accepts the animals as family. No one can believe the relationship she nurtures with the animals.

She orchestrates a wedding between two gorillas so they can raise a family, but no one askes the gorillas if it's a good idea. She hugs the big cats like they are her children. When everyone else panics because the Kodiak bear Uncle Junior escapes, Mary stays calm. The question? Will she lead the giant Uncle Junior back to his home, or will he escape to the neighborhood outside the zoo fences?

You'll find out the answers within the pages of this fascinating historic story.

Not only children will fall in love with Mary and her family, so will adults. Mary's animals, created such funny and difficult situations, but the woman zookeeper handled them all. The real life story of Mary Wilson and her Wild and Wonderful Family will inspire children to follow their passion in life and not settle for what is considered 'normal'.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1964559669
• ISBN13: 9781964559667
• Release Date: July 2025
• Publisher: Kids Book Press
• Length: 36 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 3 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 5