I like picture books that contain harder words. After all, they certainly increase a child's vocabulary. In this book, a platypus was invited to join the zoo....or so he thought. But every animal he encounters has a reason why he should not be there.

This book tackles bullying and people's differences in a subtle way. And the animals are fun. Sure enough, 'This Zoo is Not For You" did offer opportunities to introduce new words!

It worked okay in my storytimes (Kids didn't get the "party bus/ platybus" reference at the end....by the teachers did) ( )

A polite platypus enters a zoo with an invitation, but the animals think he's there for an interview, and none of them think he's up to their standards. Once he leaves, they gather and say, "I'm not proud of that interview. I think I was unkind. Were you? Perhaps he could have joined our zoo. But now he's gone. What should we do?" They find the dropped invitation on the ground and follow it out to the "platybus," where they apologize and the platypus forgives them and they all have a party.

Though the concept of an interview may be foreign to young readers, the idea of being excluded may resonate, and the lesson of forgiveness is a good one. The rhyming text gives the story a steady rhythm. ( )

When a humble platypus presents himself at the zoo on the day they are holding interviews, all of the animal residents assume he has come to apply to join them. Each one, from the panda to the flamingo, finds him wanting in some way, assuring him that this is not the zoo for him. Imagine their surprise when they discover that the platypus isn't interested in joining them at all...

Like the earlier There's a Bear on My Chair - the only other title I have read from British author/illustrator Ross Collins - This Zoo Is Not For You pairs an entertaining tale told in rhyme with bright, colorful artwork that captures the sense of fun to be found in the text. The conclusion is sweet, demonstrating that the zoo animals' snobbery was, in addition to being discourteous, quite presumptuous as well. Recommended to young animal lovers, to anyone looking for picture-books in rhyme, and to those interested in children's stories about assumptions, snobbery, and learning to become friends. ( )