Dog Night at the Story Zoo

One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (2018)

“If ever there was a graphic novel geared toward young readers just begging to be made into a movie, this might be it.” —Vancouver Sun

“Perfect for young readers wanting to try a graphic novel and will be enjoyed by reluctant readers and avid readers alike.” —Calgary Herald

PRAISE FOR Audrey (Cow):
“Move aside Wilbur and Babe. There’s a new farmyard hero in town, and she has no desire to end up hamburger. In a multiple-perspective, documentary-like format, each animal tells its part of the story with terrific humor and personality. …the many voices make the book an ideal read-aloud for a classroom and ideal fodder for readers’ theatre. Bar-el is also unafraid to engage in truly lovely descriptive writing. Part Great Escape, part Hatchet, part Charlotte’s Web, all wonderful.”
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“…[a] cleverly constructed story…. Bar-el creates a humorous chorus of perspectives, temperaments, dialects, and cadences….. Thoroughly charming….”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Animal Farm meets The Great Escape…. Bar-el manages to gently and thoughtfully introduce kids to the concept of the abattoir while also underscoring that a farm’s very purpose is producing food. At its heart, Audrey (Cow) encourages kids to think even as it entertains – the mark of wonderful children’s literature.”
—Quill and Quire, Starred Review

“This is no simple farm story; it is a powerful tale that takes a philosophical stance against today’s meat industry. Written in transcripts of interviews from the perspective of various animal and human characters, the book emphasizes the emotional reactions of those surrounding Audrey. These monologues give readers the opportunity to discern different perspectives about the same events. Readers must make conclusions and predictions about the events, weighing the relative reliability of the various narrators. A unique approach to a sensitive topic.”
—School Library Journal, Starred Review