At the Haiku Zoo


Children - Picture Book
32 Pages
Reviewed on 12/13/2017
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Bernice Seward is a children’s author and illustrator with a passion for literacy. She likes writing because she can tell her characters what to do–unless, of course, they have other ideas! You can find out more about Bernice and her work at www.berniceseward.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Samantha Coville for Readers' Favorite

Come one, come all to a zoo that is both educational and unique. Exotic animals will come to life on every page with large vibrant photos and clever haikus to describe each one. Children will embrace this type of poetry that doesn't get enough attention, and the pictures will let their imaginations run wild. Family time has never been more fun than with these animal haikus that they'll memorize after a few reads and say along with you, for sure! At the Haiku Zoo will quickly become a staple of animal lovers' bedtimes, thanks to imaginative author Bernice Seward.

Bernice Seward has brought to life one of the most original and creative picture books I've seen in a long time. It embraces an often overdone topic of animals, because kids apparently can never read about zebras too many times, and evolves it into something else with haikus. I feel haikus never get the attention they deserve since they don't rhyme. But, At the Haiku Zoo introduces haikus in a familiar and popular setting for young children. And there are some educational bits along the way. The haiku for the zebra, as an example, mentions the stripes are like a fingerprint--and then goes on to say what the stripes are for. My only complaint about this picture book is that it is too short. I feel there were a dozen more animals that are deserving of a haiku dedicated to them, and I demand a second installment immediately. Seward has created a fan in me and I think she will do the same with your family.