The Boo Zoo by Kyle Mewburn

We're off on a trip to the Boo Zoo, in the creepiest part of town There's zombies and witches and goblins galore, banshees and werewolves and so much more. But is the unique assortment of creatures the exhibit, or are you?

This ghoulishly fun adventure is the perfect read for Halloween. Author Kyle Mewburn takes readers through the zoo, with lots of interesting language including onomatopoeia, adverbs and alliteration. Mewburn uses simple rhyme and rhythm that makes this a nice book to read aloud. There's no great hidden message, which is a refreshing change for a children's book. Instead, it's all about entertainment and fun. This was a book that was enjoyed more as a read aloud, where we could really get into it and add expression and tension. 

There's a nice little twist at the end that older children really appreciated and made them think.

Illustrator Lisa Allen brings each spookster to life with bold design and colour. The zombies were a real favourite with our younger readers. Allen includes lots of pattern and detail, and each character is distinct and full of personality. 

While Halloween isn't a huge thing in New Zealand, The Boo Zoo is the perfect book for the celebration.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Walker Books