A Family for Zoya: The True Story of an Endangered Cub

2026 Kids Favorites: Kid Read, Kid Chosen (Grades 3-5)

The heartwarming true story of Zoya, the only surviving cub of critically endangered Amur tigers at the Philadelphia Zoo.

When her mother rejects her, the dedicated staff at the Philadelphia Zoo race to find Zoya a new family, and they discover Lola, a Sumatran tiger who has just given birth to three cubs at the Oklahoma City Zoo. A Family for Zoya from Platypus Media is a true tiger story and animal rescue book for kids that follows Zoya's cross-country journey to attempt something never successfully done before. Will Lola accept an unfamiliar cub into her den? Will there be enough milk for all four? Beautifully illustrated by Marina and Annalisa Durante, Zoya's story introduces young readers to real-world wildlife conservation, endangered species, and zoo biology, while sparking meaningful conversations about compassion, belonging, and protecting our planet's wildlife. Back-matter features explore Amur tiger genetics, anti-poaching efforts, and the Tiger Conservation Campaign.

The author is donating 100% of her proceeds from A Family for Zoya to the Tiger Conservation Campaign.

• Award-Winning Wildlife Rescue: A 2026 Green Earth Book Award Recommended Reading selection, a true story of an endangered cub and the conservation effort behind her.
• True Tiger Story for Kids: A real-life survival adventure that teaches wildlife protection and dedicated zoo care.
• Kids Favorite & Educator Approved: A 2026 Kids Favorites top pick (Grades 3-5), blending heartfelt storytelling with real STEM.
• STEM & Conservation Education: Sparks curiosity about biology, ecosystems, and animal behavior, with back-matter on tiger genetics and anti-poaching.
• Heartwarming Family Themes: A rare cross-country introduction to a surrogate tiger mom, showing how love creates families in unexpected ways.