Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo

What is it about zoo residents? Is it because they're cooped up all day with nothing better to do? Is it because they lack the appropriate clothing for their unusual size and shape? Is there no laundry service? Whatever the reason, whenever you go to the zoo, what can you be sure to see? Heinies, and plenty of 'em. From demure to bodacious, Ayun Halliday and Dan Santat are finally willing to show us the true appeal of the zoo—There are always heinies, and lots of 'em.

You can order Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo from Powells.com just by clicking on the book cover up there.

Come hear me read the book live, and get yourself a signed copy! See the Public Appearance Calendar for dates and locations of upcoming appearances.

And hey, kids — make a drawing of your favorite animal's head, bring it to the reading, and I'll attempt to draw a matching heinie for you to take home!

Skip down to the Reviews area to see what the critics are saying about Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo!

And in case you haven't seen it yet, here's illustrator Dan Santat's hand-crafted video trailer for the book:

Illustrations

Here's a little sampler gallery of some of Dan Santat's illustrations ... click on an image to see a larger version.

And feel free to scamper on over to Dan's Web site to check out more of his artwork and projects!

Reviews

Hey there, Henrietta, check out THESE new Zoo reviews!

"In her children's debut, Halliday offers a wry tribute to the infinite variety of animal rear ends ('Some are smooth/ And some are shiny/ Some are swimming in the briny'). Her couplets evince both an ease with current slang ('Ms. Elephant's got junk/ In her supplemental trunk') as well as more refined aesthetic (the mandrill's rear is 'cobalt blue,' the polar bear's backside is 'more of an ecru') ... the text just itches to be read aloud—a mock hauteur is highly recommended."
— Publishers Weekly

"In this humorous glimpse at animal bottoms, a boy and his parents visit the zoo, where they observe the various inhabitants' hindquarters. Rhymed verses keep the narrative flowing as readers learn various synonyms for 'rear ends' and see their many sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, from the flamingo's 'bright azalea hue,' to the armadillo's butt that's 'harder than a bowling shoe.' Using a colorful, golden earth-toned palette, Santat renders cartoon depictions of an assortment of zoo scenes. The close-up perspective of the blue, male mandrill's face progresses to his fanny, which does not have the cobalt hue that the text states, but is fascinating and funny nonetheless. This book stacks up well against its current competition, Michael Ian Black's Chicken Cheeks (S & S, 2009). Use for vocabulary-stretching pleasure."
—Blair Christolon, School Library Journal

"Rhyming text elaborates on the bottoms of various animals as readers follow a family's trip to the zoo. The snake has a shiny heinie and the cockatoo's is feathered. Some are bright pink or cobalt blue (though it looks like a pale lilac in the illustration) and others jet-black. The jaunty tale reminds readers that although an animal's behind does not have to be hidden at the zoo, humans must keep theirs covered. This isn't always easy for children, however, especially when one wants to put on his newly acquired parrot costume immediately. Santat's detailed, full-page illustrations carry the story along, injecting subtle humor into the scenes, such as one where the lions are penned just across the way from their natural prey. The colors are neutral safari tones except when, as in nature, bursts of color shine through. Use of scale and perspective bring the reader right into the zoo, most notably at the penguin and jellyfish exhibits."
— Kirkus Reviews

The Refreshments Table

Behold the magnificent heinie-centric refreshments that awaited the No Butts About Reading tour in Charlottesville! Thanks to Children's Literature & Reading Specialist Joan Kindig, and her confectionarily gifted students, Hannah Mathews and Karissa Randall!