Who is at the Zoo?

by Sharon J. Boyce

When a girl wakes up to discover that zoo animals have taken over her bathroom and kitchen, it leads her on a journey of surprising discoveries. Not only are there animals in her house, they are all through the town and there's no grown-ups anywhere. If these animals are in her town, then who is at the zoo?

This amusing tale will encourage children to seek answers for their questions.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Who is at the zoo? is a really cute and funny rhyming picture book for children about zoo animals in people's houses doing jobs, at the school, driving cars etc and a child questioning if all the zoo animals are there them who is at the zoo?
This book will have children delighted at nit only the pictures but the fabulous and strong rhyming verses throughout. It certainly had me giggling.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I am in the distinct minority here, but this book made to sense to me. Sure it is supposed to be funny and whimsical, but all we have here are role reversals. Zoo animals at home, play and school, but who is in the zoo? Guess who??? Yep. What does shine for me are the illustrations by Suzanne Houghton. They are fun and tie everything together. Short book you can read to your children but just so-so for me.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with cute illustrations and clever rhymes about roles switched and the outcomes. Very entertaining.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny book that you and your child will enjoy. If they have a sense of humor and love zoo animals. When the zoo animals are the teachers, lifeguards, driving fire trucks, you begin to wonder who is at the zoo. With many animals to identify with and different jobs that grown ups have, you may have any ideal who is at the zoo. Funny and engaging!

A special thank you to Windmill Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Storywraps]

I love this book! Written in rhyme and with illustrations that are spot-on perfect I know kids will love it too! Things are very weird in this particular little town. Zoo animals are running it. The animals are now driving fire trucks, teaching in the classroom, creating hairstyles in the beauty parlour, frying eggs in the kitchen, mowing the lawn, conducting the school choir, and coaching the local soccer team, just to name a few. What in the world is going on? But wait... if the animals are not in the Zoo... then who is?

This engaging and silly book will have both kids and grown-ups giggling. The unexpected twist at the end is the perfect ending. The illustrations are delightful and detailed. They are full of humour and imagination. Recommended as a read-aloud this book will certainly be hit. I highly recommend it.

[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

The punchline to this is a little obvious, and should be to all ages, but that shouldn't really be a problem with the success of what comes first. This is a really strong rhyming text, with very welcome and attractive illustrations, concerning someone worried about their world suddenly populated by zoo creatures – doing the gardening, helping themselves to the laundry, fitting carpets at the neighbours' over the road... It's a situation more than a story perhaps, but it could allow for many an imaginative spin-off if used at all wisely – pupils could get much mileage out of thinking up prequels, sequels and putting themselves in the same situation. For that reason I think there is a lot of credit here, and it might just have snagged itself a rare five stars.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest book! Things are upside down in this town. The zoo animals have taken over the town and are doing things the local townspeople normally do. There is a hippo in the tub. A monkey styling hair. A bear washing clothes. A Dingo cleaning gutters. So the question is asked over and over if these animals are here who is at the zoo. Squirrels are driving a car. A giant tortoise is the school crossing guard. A goose is the principal at school. Who is at the zoo. Reindeer are on the firetruck. A panda is cooking. Guess who is at the zoo!
Please don't feed the grownups.
The illustrations are great in this story!

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hoot! This is such a cute, funny book about a girl who wakes to find her house, school, and town populated by zoo animals. There is a huge variety of animals which the kids will enjoy seeing and discussing. They will also enjoy the growing mystery of just exactly who IS at the zoo???

This would work in all reading scenarios but would be especially good fun for a circle time read. I'd expect plenty of smiles and laughs!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Reading With Yeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is at the zoo is a silly book apt to entertain  little children (and adults) for a good laugh. The cute illustrations reminds me of warm touch of Rod Campbell's, "Dear Zoo."
The combination of rhymes, rhythm,  and alliteration as the writing style was catchy that the reader would be eager to expect of what comes next.
This book is ideal for the target audience of ages 3-8, and can be used to  teach about literary techniques such a rhymes and alliteration,  types of careers, and animals

Overall, it's a great read!.

[Youtube (SERPERIORREADS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

...
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this advanced copy of this book, and my legitimate thanks to the author for giving me the opportunity to read his book.
A somewhat funny tale for the content it brings us, nothing more, nothing less. There are things we can change as humans, seeing that we would not like to be treated that way and that animals can have the life we have. This is why my rating will not affect my opinion about today's society.
It's a fun book for children, short, happily
4.0

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Windmill Books for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book This is a children's book. I found this to be really silly, but it will make the kids laugh and that is also important. The animals that you usually see at the zoo are doing chores, and jobs. So who is at the zoo. good graphics which adds to the story. 4 stars

[Elisa Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon J Boyce has written a wonderfully warm and entertaining picture book which will engage young readers who love animals.

Who is at the zoo? is a fun, rhyming picture book about finding a variety of wild animals in places where they shouldn't be! If all the animals are out and about then who is at the zoo?

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Windmill Books for a free digital copy.

This book is delightfully funny. Grownups and kids alike will enjoy the antics of all the animals described in rhymes. The illustrations are fun and have so many layers. What a great read.

[Joy Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My daughter said this book is so funny, about all the animals showing up at the house, causing all sorts of mischiefs. Some are on the toilet, some frying eggs, some cutting hair, Others are doing gardening, driving the car, giving swim lessons, teaching school, delivering letters, baking bread, all sort of jobs. The big question is if all the animals are here at the house, who's at the zoo?

(Psst, please don't feed the grown- ups )

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book for early grade readers. The illustrations are wonderful and will help keep the young reader engaged in the story. And what kid is not going to love the idea of animals being in charge of their world while the grown ups are on display at the zoo?

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a whole lot of fun with so many animals doing so many things, I love the tag to the story but the clever rhymes of the story truly made me smile.
Great story for before or just after a trip to the zoo.