Who's New At Lou's Zoo

A kid's book about kindness, compassion and never judging someone by their appearance

Children - Animals
44 Pages
Reviewed on 09/22/2022
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

In Who's New At Lou's Zoo by JoAnn M. Dickinson, we find that there’s a new kid on the block, or perhaps more accurately, a new animal is coming to the zoo. Lou, an alpaca, defines himself as the zookeeper for the space the animals call their neighborhood. He’s planning a party to welcome the newcomer and he has everyone excited and wondering who and what this newcomer will be like. Peter, the Chatty Parrot wonders if this newcomer will be as colorful as he is and what this newcomer will eat, where this newcomer will stay, and most importantly, what this newcomer’s name is. Mickey, the Meek Monkey wonders if the newcomer will be small like he is. So many questions and Lou’s only concern is that they all greet this newcomer with a friendly welcome and make them feel instantly at home and surrounded by good friends.

JoAnn M. Dickinson’s picture book Who's New At Lou's Zoo is a sweet, charming, and sometimes humorous kids' book about kindness, compassion and never judging someone by their appearance. Using a zoo full of animals as an example, the author creates a world of diversity and equity, allowing each creature to admire their unique differences while, at the same time, honoring and respecting others and their differences. The story is told in simple language and each animal is introduced with a quirky name, often with the same letter alliterations, making them into tongue twisters and a source of giggle power for young readers. The illustrations are spectacular and certainly add to the flavor of the story. As well as addressing the complex issue of diversity and acceptance, the author takes the newcomer's perspective and discusses his concerns about whether he’ll fit into the new neighborhood. A simple story beautifully told with intensely powerful messages. Brilliant!