Zoo City: Where's Walrus? (Plus a GIVEAWAY)

I am always very much relieved when my 2 year old's latest book obsession does not involve cars and trucks... or trains and planes ...  or anything with wheels, really. Ever since we received Steven Savage's new wordless picture book, Where's Walrus? a week or so ago, he has been constantly pulling it off the shelf to read, thus relieving me of the task of making vehicular sound effects while reading to him.

Using the same minimalist retro graphic style he employed in Lauren Thompson's Polar Bear Night (a New York Times Best Illustrated Book), Savage has created the wonderfully simple and wordless Where's Walrus?.  A walrus sneaks out through the zoo gates, and in order to evade the zookeeper he disguises himself by donning the various hats of his fellow city inhabitants such as construction worker, fountain mermaid, plein air painter.... etc.

Anyone who has visited a zoo can imagine life must be rather dull for the animals. What walrus wouldn't dream of getting up on stage with the dance hall girls or sitting down to coffee and donuts at the local diner? There are so many things to see and do in the city, after all!  Perhaps the walrus was looking for his true calling? If so, he might remember the old saying, "there's no place like home."  He can't resist the siren call of the water, but this time there is a spectacular twist, tuck, forward pike and splash and life in the zoo won't be quite as boring anymore.

Don't underestimate the value of a good wordless picture book. There ends up being a lot of interaction between reader and listener. One of my sessions with the little guy went something like this:

"Where's Walrus?" 
"Right there!" 
"What hat is he wearing?" 
"Yellow!" 
"Yes, a construction worker hat." 
"Hiding!"

With a wordless book, there is no hurry to get back to the text or turn the page until all discussion about the picture is finished.

This book is brand new to the shelves and you are sure to enjoy it.

Want more? 
Visit Steven Savage's website.
Watch the trailer below. It truly captures the spirit of the book.


How to Enter the Giveaway to win one of three Where's Walrus? books:

• Leave one comment below.
• If your email is not linked to your profile, or you do not have a blog where I can contact you, you must leave a valid email. 
• Anonymous entries will not be considered.
• U.S. addresses only.
• Giveaway ends 11:59 pm Feb. 20. Three winners will be announced Feb. 21. If the winner(s) do not get in contact with me within 48 hours of the announcement I will pick a new winner(s).

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but it in no way influenced my review.