Author Maudie Powell-Tuck starts in the middle of the story in The Midnight Zoo where we learn Eva has lost her cat Luna. Eva has looked all over and taken all sorts of actions to find them. Of course, as bedtime comes around, and Luna is not found, Eva is obviously distressed. Then, in what you can believe is a real event, or a dream, Eva finds herself at the titled zoo, where the animals help her look for said cat.
Overall, things are whimsical, cute, and while the tone is a bit somber, it never goes too dark. The illustrations are another story. Karl James Mountfourd combines colors and details to be busy, filling the pages with animals, plants and such, while keeping the overall tone light but uses everything from various purples, blues, greens, and light vs. shadowing. It feels younger, but could go up to around age seven or eight.
Honestly, I think I have read the book before (or at least had a sampling of it). Now, I might read it again, if I forget I read it, but don’t think I will actively search it out another time. Yet, this book has an element to it that makes me feel that it will be one that people gravitate towards. It almost has a Where the Wild Things are atmosphere, but on a much lighter level. To say this book is nice does not capture the bigger picture. It is more than nice, but might not be to everyone’s tastes.