The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

Here is my review:

I really enjoyed this charming and touching story set in the Tower of London. We were visiting there recently and took the guided tour. Our Beefeater guide was wonderfully entertaining and informative. I hadn't known that the Beefeaters and their families are required to live in the Tower.


Balthazar Jones and wife Hebe are stilling reeling from the unexpected death of their young son Milo. Balthazar is charged with opening and maintaining a new menagerie at the Tower with animals given to the Queen. Hebe works in the London Underground's Department of Lost Things and goes to great lengths to return lost items to their rightful owners. I was reminded of how fun it was to take the Tube (mind the gap!) around London.


One of my favorite lines was spoken to Hebe, "You haven't lost Milo completely, you know. I lost my sister when we were both very young.  We always carry a part of those we love tucked inside of us." 


I hope they make a movie based on this book. I would love to see these characters brought to life on the screen. There is even a wonderful Hollywood ending that is really heartwarming.  I look forward to the next book from Julia Stuart.