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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Magical Zoo: Friends, written by Lynn K. Harris and illustrated by Nabeel Tahir, begins at nightfall as the zookeepers leave. A friendship blossoms between Gina the Elephant and Edward the Giraffe. They wander through the zoo, befriending other animals, until they encounter Lana the Lion, unsure how to approach her. After a tentative exchange, Lana yearns to join them but can't reach the lock. Gina and Edward help her, forming a trio to explore the zoo's wonders. Their friendship transcends barriers and, as dawn approaches, they part, eagerly awaiting the next night's adventures. Accompanied by full-color digital graphics, the tale celebrates camaraderie, kindness, and the charm of a zoo where all creatures, despite their differences, unite in friendship under the moonlit sky.
A world full of imagination and adventure unfolds in the children's picture book The Magical Zoo: Friends by Lynn K. Harris. The author does an excellent job of melding together a handful of themes into a single story, from problem-solving and cooperation as Gina and Edward work together to undo Lana's lock to optimism and joy in diversity as the three truly begin to bond. The prose is written in a poetic narrative. The story itself, its message, and the world that the book contains are simple and sweet. Nabeel Tahir breathes life into the story with full-spread digital animation-style illustrations using a palette of bold primary colors. As a parent, I enjoyed the nod to classic 1980s cartoons in the inspiration of the artwork, and even my teenage daughter described them as "retro-cool." Recommended.
