Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Zoo
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 6
Kane/Miller, 2010 ISBN: 978-1933605289
One day a little girl goes to the zoo with her parents, and soon after she arrives, she sees a peacock walking around. Captivated by the beautiful bird, the little girl follows the peacock, and her trip to the zoo becomes a truly unique experience. Instead of just looking at the animals from the other side of a fence, the little girl gets to meet the animals in a very up close and personal way.
Meanwhile, the little girl’s parents are having a terrible time trying to find their missing child. Where has she gone?
This superbly presented picture book tells two stories at the same time using two different formats. The pages showing the little girl’s adventure are presented in bright colors and shows scenes that are happy and charming. The pages showing the poor parents, on the other hand, are shown in shades of grey, brown, and a dull blue. You can see the fear and desperation on their faces all too clearly. With a minimal text and a unique art style, this is a memorable title. The surprising ending will give readers something to think about. Did it, or didn’t it happen?