Tuesday 20 October 2015

The Zoomers Handbook by Ana and Thiago De Moraes (Andersen Children's Books)

Zoo Keepers look after animals in our zoos, farmers look after animals on our farms so what do you get if you cross a zoo keeper with a farmer? Zoom in to find out!
"The Zoomers' Handbook" by Ana and Thiago De Moraes is an imaginative story that gathers together some very peculiar animals indeed! Kicking off with some gloriously detailed end-papers (for Zoomer reference purposes) you'll soon be an expert in identifying these awesome animal mash ups.

Children love animals but when animals are mixed together, and two species become one, something magical happens and a whole new animal emerges. Crossing a Sheep with a Tiger might sound like a recipe for disaster, but when you see the results and realise that Shigers produce the most luxurious stripy wool, you'll be amazed and bedazzled!

Dogephants are a whole different ball game though. We love dogs, and we love elephants but if you combine the two, you'd better make a new house rule that your Dogephant never sits on the furniture (or your lap unless you want a visit to casualty!)

What of the mysterious PigCock. Has anyone ever really seen his magnificent plumage under all that mud?

Ana and Thiago let loose their creativity in this fabulous hardback book, beautifully presented and thoroughly inspirational as your little ones will not be able to resist conjuring up their own animal mix-ups using their imaginations. We loved all the fantastical descriptions of the beasts in this book, and truly loved Thiago's brilliant and precise illustrations which really bring the book to life.

Ana and Thiago very kindly sent us a gorgeous ink drawing (which Charlotte says looks just like us!) to accompany our review copy of the book. Isn't this ace?



Charlotte's best animal mash-up: The Guineaolphin (you've guessed it, half guinea pig half dolphin).

Daddy's best animal mashup: The Gorillapus (half gorilla, half octopus!)

(Kindly sent to us for review by Andersen Press)

"The Zoomers' Handbook"

Written by Ana De Moraes

Illustrated by Thiago De Moraes

Published by Andersen Children's Books

Publication Date: 1st October 2015