The bold digital collages of zoo animals in this debut picture book are clear and bright, and the simple rhymes about feelings will have preschoolers savoring the words, joining in, and pointing at every playful zoo scene, each featuring one animal per page. Even toddlers will enjoy talking about the scenarios, especially after they see the final spread with the small “zookeeper” asleep in his bed, his beloved animal toys snuggled around him. Kids will easily recognize the emotions in the words—“Snappy as a crab, / angry as a bear, / bothered as a bull / with a hornet in its hair”—as well as the more positive feelings—“Brave as a lion, / thoughtful as an owl, / peaceful as a portly walrus / lounging on a towel.” A final note points out that all the collage pictures are made up of heart-shaped pieces, more than 300 in all, and older kids might want to count them. Preschool. --Hazel Rochman
Review
“This title will have a wide audience, whether in a classroom, library, or at home. An outstanding choice for one-on-one sharing.” (School Library Journal )
“Starting with one simple shape, Michael Hall shows us a nearly infinite number of ways to make a menagerie of love.” (Brian Selznick, Caldecott Medalist )
“Now hear this! The art in this book will astonish Earth!” (Chris Raschka, Caldecott Medalist )
“The bold digital collages of zoo animals in this debut picture book are clear and bright, and the simple rhymes about feelings will have preschoolers savoring the words, joining in, and pointing at every playful zoo scene.” (ALA Booklist )
“Children just learning about shapes will revel in these pages.” (Publishers Weekly )
“Michael Hall’s My Heart Is Like a Zoo is a combination of deceptive simplicity and gorgeous graphic design. Colorful, fun, and thoroughly enjoyable.” (Laura Vaccaro Seeger, Caldecott Honor Artist, New York Times bestselling author )
“It stole my heart.” (Robert Sabuda, New York Times bestselling author )
“Animals, adjectives and hearts—lots of hearts—combine in this bright, appealing selection, reminiscent of the works of Lois Ehlert.” (Kirkus Reviews )
