My Heart Is Like a Zoo [Hardcover]

Michael Hall (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 22, 2009 | Age Range: 3 and up

A heart can be hopeful, or silly, or happy. A heart can be rugged, or snappy, or lonely. A heart holds every different feeling, and debut author-artist Michael Hall captures each one with a delicate touch.

For each feeling, the bold, graphic artwork creates an animal out of heart shapes, from "eager as a beaver" to "angry as a bear" to "thoughtful as an owl." An accessible and beautiful debut, My Heart Is Like a Zoo is everything a classic picture book should be: honest, sincere, and speaking directly to even the very youngest child.

Ages: 0 - 5

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

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

“It stole my heart.” (Robert Sabuda, New York Times bestselling author )

“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 )

“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 )

“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 )

“Animals, adjectives and hearts—lots of hearts—combine in this bright, appealing selection, reminiscent of the works of Lois Ehlert.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Children just learning about shapes will revel in these pages.” (Publishers Weekly )

“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 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (December 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061915106
• ISBN-13: 978-0061915109
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Zoos

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This adorable "heart" story in rhyme is one of those perfect books to read and discuss during story or circle time! March 17, 2010

By D. Fowler TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

All young children have little feelings in their hearts and heads, but it is often difficult for them to understand or express their emotions. This little book of twenty animals, all made up in part of "heart" shapes, can help parents, caretakers and teachers help them understand and express their feelings, emotions and attitudes. This is a fun book of heart words and feelings in the shape of herons, hippos, caterpillars, clams, bears, crabs and many other animals.

"My heart is like a zoo-
eager as a beaver,
steady as a yak,
hopeful as a hungry heron, hoping for a snack . . . "

This adorable "heart" story in rhyme is one of those perfect books to read and discuss during story or circle time. Each of the brief descriptions of an animal can be linked to a primary emotion. The artwork is ingeniously designed to incorporate several heart shapes in each colorful animal. The whole book simply shouts read me and read me again. There are "more than three hundred hearts" in the design of this book for youngsters to count. This book can simply be a captivating page turner for the littlest "readers" or a learning experience for the older ones. If you want an instant classic, this is one you might want to consider!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book for reading or crafting December 30, 2009

By M. Talalay

Format:Hardcover

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I *heart* this book. Although many may see this colorful children's picture book as just a sweet bedtime tale, it is the perfect Valentine craft for kids as well. Imagine the critters that can be made out of heart shapes in various sizes. This book is a breath of fresh air in the shelves full of books about zoo animals. We would recommend it for ages 2-5.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Heart is Like a Zoo- Hurrah! February 28, 2010

By M. Darling

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a 70 year old, I enjoyed the creative designs and colors in the book, but I was concerned that the children would think it was too "babyish." That was not the case. It provided them with ideas for creating their own Valentines, and now my refrigerator door has new decorations. Lots of fun.