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Zookeeper: A Timeless Free Verse Poem That Encourages Us to View Our Lives with the Patterns Found in Nature.
A timeless free verse poem that encourages us to view our lives like the zoo with the patterns found in nature and valuable life lessons that are made inspiring. Illustrated by Daniel J. Middleton to bring smiles to faces.
Zookeeper is the product of Douglas S. Haynes' desire to impart advice at the onset of his daughter's freshman college year.
Zookeeper is the product of Douglas S. Haynes' desire to impart advice at the onset of his daughter's freshman college year.
22 pages, Hardcover
Published January 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2019
The only reason I don't rate this book any lower is the illustrations and the positive message it gives.
It's not that it's particularly badly written: it's not! Though I'm not a head-over-heels fan of free verse, I knew what I got myself into, so that's not my problem: the wording is nice and there are thoughts behind it. Especially with the beautiful illustrations this book could be a nice gift to someone who appreciates this kind of things.
I think I simply expected a bit longer poem? I don't know. This 'book' was so short I didn't really feel like there was a point in making it a whole, separate book. It should've been either more little poems, or one significantly longer. At the end I was left with an odd feeling that I only read the beginning of a book.
I gave 3 stars to this book because of the idea and illustrations.
It's not that it's particularly badly written: it's not! Though I'm not a head-over-heels fan of free verse, I knew what I got myself into, so that's not my problem: the wording is nice and there are thoughts behind it. Especially with the beautiful illustrations this book could be a nice gift to someone who appreciates this kind of things.
I think I simply expected a bit longer poem? I don't know. This 'book' was so short I didn't really feel like there was a point in making it a whole, separate book. It should've been either more little poems, or one significantly longer. At the end I was left with an odd feeling that I only read the beginning of a book.
I gave 3 stars to this book because of the idea and illustrations.
March 15, 2019
I think it is a clever idea to wrap up all your anxieties and distill them into a few brief thoughts. To me it is part of the skill of writing and when done well we quote verses and whole poems that capture our own sense of place or emotion.
This writer became a poet when he wrote these simple words drawing on the animal world to convey a deeper meaning. Any parent has struggled with leaving their kids right from nursery. Imagine the realisation they are off to college or university, leaving home a trial run. Bedding down in halls or house sharing with limited sex discrimination.
A Father looking at his departing daughter can do no more. He’s growled at suitors and given the eye to the neighbourhood lads, players and lotharios.
She is on her own but still my little girl.
A humorous few words in a memorable form to shows she’s loved, missed and never forgotten.
Magical, sentimental and worth sharing to a wider collegiate.
This writer became a poet when he wrote these simple words drawing on the animal world to convey a deeper meaning. Any parent has struggled with leaving their kids right from nursery. Imagine the realisation they are off to college or university, leaving home a trial run. Bedding down in halls or house sharing with limited sex discrimination.
A Father looking at his departing daughter can do no more. He’s growled at suitors and given the eye to the neighbourhood lads, players and lotharios.
She is on her own but still my little girl.
A humorous few words in a memorable form to shows she’s loved, missed and never forgotten.
Magical, sentimental and worth sharing to a wider collegiate.
May 29, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley for a free ebook copy.
This book had a positive message and was really cute. It was extremely short, and the artwork was mediocre. It would be a nice children's bookbut not one I'd purchase.
This book had a positive message and was really cute. It was extremely short, and the artwork was mediocre. It would be a nice children's bookbut not one I'd purchase.
January 12, 2023
When I downloaded this to my Hoopla account I didn't even check to see what this was about but instead considered that it was going to have something to do with zoos. Unfortunately after downloading it so I could read it I actually find that this isn't about a zoo or the job of zoo keeping but rather a very loose interpretation of a poem, which in all reality is just a disguise for a collection of advice given to the reader using animal metaphors.
My major red flag about this book, though, was with the first sentiment since the author tells you that you are suppose to be a zoo keeper who nurtures your pets. I don't know of any zoo keepers who consider their wards to be pets and anyway the majority of animals included in this collection would make for a very poor as well as unattractive zoo for the majority of visitors such as the humble lightning bug or puppies even though they are so cuddly.
Although my copy said there were twenty-two pages, the actual total on the app said there were only fifteen thus when you remove the six pages that included the cover, the title pages and dedication you were left with an actual total of nine pages. Then again also knowing how well these digital books sometimes translate onto Hoopla I am not sure if the elephant was meant to be the last entry for this book.
Meanwhile the writing itself is very brief yet easy to read as such each entry for this book is just a small formula of presenting the animal topic and giving a small blurb related to the habits or a concept surrounding said animal. Given this set-up and the amount of pages this will most definitely be a very quick read to anyone who chooses to continue on to read this book no matter the age although in the case of young children they don't need to be open to the advice of the "tamed night owl".
What most definitely makes this book stand out are the illustrations and these will probably be the only reason why anyone would want to get a hold given the usage of the wolf on the cover. The medium for these illustrations looks to be brightly colored photographs with special effects and filters to make the backgrounds much softer as well as almost paint-like figures in some case.
All it does make for a nice and quick read that anyone can relate to in general but I would much rather see a book that includes a collection of the "Advice From..." series.
My major red flag about this book, though, was with the first sentiment since the author tells you that you are suppose to be a zoo keeper who nurtures your pets. I don't know of any zoo keepers who consider their wards to be pets and anyway the majority of animals included in this collection would make for a very poor as well as unattractive zoo for the majority of visitors such as the humble lightning bug or puppies even though they are so cuddly.
Although my copy said there were twenty-two pages, the actual total on the app said there were only fifteen thus when you remove the six pages that included the cover, the title pages and dedication you were left with an actual total of nine pages. Then again also knowing how well these digital books sometimes translate onto Hoopla I am not sure if the elephant was meant to be the last entry for this book.
Meanwhile the writing itself is very brief yet easy to read as such each entry for this book is just a small formula of presenting the animal topic and giving a small blurb related to the habits or a concept surrounding said animal. Given this set-up and the amount of pages this will most definitely be a very quick read to anyone who chooses to continue on to read this book no matter the age although in the case of young children they don't need to be open to the advice of the "tamed night owl".
What most definitely makes this book stand out are the illustrations and these will probably be the only reason why anyone would want to get a hold given the usage of the wolf on the cover. The medium for these illustrations looks to be brightly colored photographs with special effects and filters to make the backgrounds much softer as well as almost paint-like figures in some case.
All it does make for a nice and quick read that anyone can relate to in general but I would much rather see a book that includes a collection of the "Advice From..." series.
July 23, 2019
Wait, what did I just read? It was over almost as quickly as it began. It was extremely short, simple, and didn't seem to have much deeper meaning beneath each line except for the author telling his daughter what not to do in college. This lay somewhere between a children's book and a father telling his daughter "don't go out past 1 AM" through an owl.
Just not my cup of tea.
The illustrations were the only good part.
★
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Just not my cup of tea.
The illustrations were the only good part.
★
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 6, 2019
I thought this was charming and inspiring. Definitely some good comparisons to animal lives that would be beneficial to live by.
June 5, 2020
I will never understand this book. It's weird and not really worth reading. Felt like childrens book which was categorized as poetry although it definitely isnt
July 19, 2019
Very very short book of poems that come across more as inspirational quotes, it's a lovely idea I just expected a little more. It's very nice for people in need of some inspiration or young children.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews