The Zoo Box

June 23, 2014
The box that must not be opened is a tried-and-true storytelling device; Cohn and Steinke’s graphic novel–style picture book, however, is anything but formulaic. Patrick and Erika are left alone in their pajamas when their parents go out; if they behave, they can go to the zoo the next day. The siblings promptly discover a hatbox in the attic labeled “do not open,” which Patrick opens, releasing a menagerie of full-size animals that make their way to the zoo. Erika and Patrick follow, only to discover that the zoo’s visitors are animals, and the zoo animals are—“Patrick!” Erika cries, “They keep humans in this zoo!” A breathless chase scene follows (“The humans are escaping!”); Erika and Patrick manage to elude their captors and stuff everyone back into the box just in time. Cohn’s minimal text is simultaneously funny and foreboding; it’s balanced by Steinke’s doll-like figures, whose pin-dot eyes and stiff movements ease the tension. It’s not hard to see why the promise of a trip to the zoo loses its luster for Patrick and Erika; readers may think twice, too. Ages 5–7.

July 15, 2014
The zoo comes to two unsuspecting children when they discover a magical, mysterious box. Young Erika, perhaps 12, and her younger brother, Patrick, are about to enjoy a night home alone, when, while playing dress-up in the attic, they happen across a curious box. The box-a hatbox with zebra stripes-is clearly labeled "DO NOT OPEN." Believing that it could be a birthday present or an old, beloved and forgotten toy, the pair disregard the label and tear into it. Imagine their surprise when a full-size ostrich bursts out, followed by an entire menagerie of zoo life. When Erika and Patrick decide to follow the animals, they find themselves in a strange, topsy-turvy zoo and must puzzle out how to get all the animals back into that tiny box. Told through wide, bright panels, this graphic-novel/picture-book hybrid will certainly conjure memories of Chris Van Allsburg's Jumanji (1981), though Cohn and Steinke's tale is much less dark and wraps up tidily, with just a shred of lingering unease. Though the story is obviously a fantasy, some readers may wonder why the parents would leave these two kids alone or why the animals would willingly and easily re-enter the box. However, sometimes it's better to just enjoy the ride and leave all the details to the grown-ups. A nimble offering for those not quite ready for Jumanji. (Picture book. 5-9)

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September 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Erika and Patrick's parents are going out for the evening, and Erika has been left in charge. Their parents promise that if they are good and in bed on time, they will earn a trip to the zoo the next day. After promising to behave, the kids head to the attic to play dress-up. Patrick stumbles across a box labeled "DO NOT OPEN." Unable to resist the temptation, he opens it and unleashes a flurry of wild animals. The creatures file out of the house and down the street, and the kids join them, disguised as a tiger and a bear. They arrive at a zoo and are stunned to realize that humans make up the exhibits! Eerily exciting and fun, this adventurous graphic-style picture book really turns the tables on the familiar, sweet, happy-ending children's book. Very Jumanji-esque, this book will be a favorite for children who like stories that are a little edgier. Filled with brightly colored illustrations and nicely spaced speech bubbles, the book is easy to read and highly visually appealing. A terrific choice for new readers who gravitate to graphic novels but aren't quite ready for most of them yet.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2014
Preschool-G Erika and Patrick get to stay home alone when their parents go out for the evening, and they decide to play in the attic, where they find fun animal costumes. They also find a box labelled Do Not Open, which of course they open. First, an ostrich leaps out, then even more creatures. The children follow the animals outside and, fortunately already dressed like animals, find themselves in a zoo where humans are on display in the cages. But when the zoo's security birds discover Erika and Patrick are human, the chase is on! Simple panel design on picture-book-size pages with bright colors, bold figures, and easy-reading text in the word balloons make this book great fun for new readers, who will thrill to the chase as Erika and Patrick try to find their way home before their parents return. Cohn and Steinke are both teachers, and they know just what young children will enjoy in a story. The panels are big enough and the art clear enough to entertain a whole class at storytime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)