Zoo-Looking [Hardcover]

Mem Fox (Author), Charles Fox (Author), Candace Whitman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

The bestselling author of Possum Magic celebrates a special father-daughter day in this visually stunning picture book. Fox's rhythmic text is complemented by the gorgeous, glowing color illustrations of Candace Whitman, author-illustrator of The Night Is Like an Animal. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Flora goes to the zoo with her father, the animals watch her as carefully as she watches them: "She looked at the penguin/ and the penguin looked back [and] she looked at the monkey/ as its baby got a smack." The pattern continues: various zoo animals "look back," and others are described in matching rhymes (the snake slithers through a crack, the panther's coat is black, the elephant lives next to a yak, etc.). Despite Fox's (Koala Lou) trademark rhythms, the text is limited by her reliance on a list of animals instead of a developed plot, and by the use of a single rhyme. Except for the minimal surprise at the end, when Flora's father is the one who "smiles back" at her, the text?originally published in Australia in 1986?often seems either forced or predictable. On the other hand, Whitman's (The Night Is Like an Animal) playful, brightly blurred collage and watercolor illustrations are full of suggestive shadows. Flora's wide-brimmed purple hat provides a clear reference point as the artist changes the angles from which the animals are viewed. The freshness and whimsy of the art revive this otherwise tired title. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 2^-6. Flora goes to the zoo with her father to see the animals and finds that the animals like to see her too: "She looked at a tiger / and the tiger looked back." She visits a slithering snake, a monkey "as its baby got a smack," and other familiar zoo creatures--but only her daddy looked back at her and smiled. Fox's sing-songy text will have special appeal for the youngsters who enjoy learning the words by heart and reciting them along with the reader. The unusual collages, comprising paper painted with watercolor and torn into shapes, combine intense hues with softly torn edges for an effect that is both powerful and tender. Flora appears with a big smile and a big purple hat in each picture, but the center of attention is the animal looking back. Susan Dove Lempke

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Mondo Publishing (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572550104
• ISBN-13: 978-1572550100
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Zoo Looking is a great book for Daddy reading", April 1, 2000

By 

Diane (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zoo-Looking (Hardcover)

Every night at story time, my husband complained about the lack of Daddies in picture books. But that was before he read this book. It's a very sweet story about a father and daughter's day trip to the zoo. The rhymes are catchy and clever and the pictures draw you into the story. This book is one our little daughter asks for again and again!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Emergent Readers, June 28, 2003

By 

"tricia21" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zoo-Looking (Hardcover)

This book is perfect for a new reader. The repetitive text allows a child to master sight words while reading enjoyable story. The vivid illustrations of the animals give picture clues to the new reader to help him or her figure out the unknown words. The rhyme patterns also help develop phonic skills. Perfect for kindergarten and first grade!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a favorite, May 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Zoo-Looking (Hardcover)

There's isn't much of a story to this repetitive book. Sure, there's lots of animals in this zoo and they all 'look back' at the main character after she looks at them, but it's not enough to make it interesting. My 2 and 4 year old weren't impressed and they LOVE books.