MY HEART IS LIKE A ZOO

Animals, adjectives and hearts—lots of hearts—combine in this bright, appealing selection, reminiscent of the works of Lois Ehlert. Digital art presents each animal in geometric form; comprised of colorful overlapping shapes, each simplified illustration includes a heart (or two or many). The text bounces along, introducing the animals and describing each with a suitable adjective. “My heart is like a zoo,” it begins, “…eager as a beaver, / steady as a yak…,” concluding with “tired as a zookeeper who’s had a busy day” (the final illustration depicts a child cuddled up with a plethora of stuffed animals). Animals range from an owl and a lion to a clam and a moose. Between the zoology and the vocabulary, it’s good for the classroom and a comforting goodnight book to boot. (Picture book. 3-7)