'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 14 January 2018

Review: This Zoo is Not For You

In the book This Zoo is Not For You we meet a scarf wearing, stylish platypus who has driven his bus to hand deliver an invitation to the zoo animals. The tiger at the front gate wrongly assumes that he is there to be interviewed to join the zoo.

One could only assume that a platypus, which is a unique animal from Australia, would pass the interview process easily. Surprisingly this is not the case.

As the platypus meets each interviewer he is rejected and told that 'I think, this zoo, is not for you.'

The panda rejects the platypus because his diet doesn't include bamboo. The monkeys exclude the platypus and then they throw poo at him. After a few more interviews the platypus turns away to return to his Platybus or party bus.

Thankfully the zoo animals realise that their behaviour towards the platypus was unkind. What are they going to do?

Ross Collins's illustrated animals have fabulous facial expressions and body language which adds to the words of his read-a-loud rhyming story.

Children will understand that even though every animal is special in their own way, unique, that exclusion can still  be based on differences. This Zoo is Not For You shares the lesson that an apology for one's preclusive and hurtful actions can lead to acceptance and friendship.

Title: This Zoo is Not For You
Author/Illustrator: Ross Collins
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $19.99
Publication Date: 25 October 2017
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780857638953
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book