Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord - by A J Atlas (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

What adventures would they have? What trouble would they get into? What friends would they make?

In the Travels with Zozo... series of illustrated children's books for ages 4-8 years old, a fun-loving family of four brings their pet bunny, Zozo, on their trips around the world, and Zozo's escapades are bound to amaze, amuse, and inspire you.

Author A.J. Atlas' extensive travel experiences in nearly fifty countries and throughout all fifty U.S. states provide firsthand insight into the settings for the books. Award-winning illustrator Anne Zimanski uses bright colors and expert digital artistry to turn the real-life places into beautifully colorful, imaginative worlds for Zozo and readers to explore. She adds an abundance of charm and heart to the culturally-diverse characters whom Zozo meets, and she packs Zozo's sweet, little, furry face full of emotion. Then, together, Atlas and Zimanski keep the pages filled with goofy gags and funny antics. So many, in fact, that rereading the stories is sure to surprise you with something new and keep you laughing.

The second book in the exciting, new series, Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord, takes readers to the Scandinavian country of Norway. With dramatically steep cliffs, immensely deep water, and abundant wildlife, the fjords are an adventurous setting for an action-packed story filled with towel-stealing thieves and free-falling birds.

The action begins after two white-tailed sea eagles surprise Zozo and fly her to a cliffside nest for a playdate with their three babies. There, Zozo sees firsthand the importance of trying to do one's best when she cheers her new winged friends as they take their first hilarious flights. From their initial, confident leaps out of the nest, followed immediately by the struggling, funny faces of gravity taking hold, the baby birds' first flights make the fun-filled fjord funnier than ever.

Along the way, Zozo and her friends are joined by whimsically illustrated locals-foxes on bicycles, rappelling red squirrels, cartwheeling skogkatts, racing reindeer, puffins, beavers, and many others. The wildlife adds depth and richness (and laughs!) to the beautiful Northern European landscape showcased in this premium full-color 32-page book.

Finally, Zozo's adventure ends with her returning to her human family via the world's longest tunnel, Laerdal Tunnel. It is an eye-opening experience for both Zozo and young readers.

Review Quotes

With a bedtime story I look for appealing characters, a nice message, and a brisk but friendly narrative with a touch of humor. That's what you get here.

Pet rabbit Zozo and her family travel to Norway. After some family time, Zozo slips away to have her own adventure with a family of eagles. She sees more of the country and makes friends.

Zozo is full of emotion and energy. She's kind, curious and willing to learn. The baby eagles she meets, though, steal the show! They have super funny TV cartoon like faces when jumping from their nest for the first time. The storytelling is direct and to the point with enough colorful language to give a sense of wonder to the scenic landscapes. Generally it has an upbeat and positive feel and it has a fair amount of action. The nice, calm end to the story includes a good message about family being important that serves to tie the whole story together. All in all, the book feels just right for bedtime to me.

- reviewed by verified purchaser

We're still laughing!!!! The bird illustrations are phenomenal!!! Lots of emotion and humor! Zozo is a little cutie too. Would recommend!

- reviewed by verified purchaser

We love Zozo's adventurous spirit! She's got spunk and a great willingness to explore. This is a really well written kids book that you'll love to read over and over. My 1^st grader and I sure do. Entertaining and educational. Yet full of laughs and tons of adorable characters.

- reviewed by verified purchaser

This was absolutely adorable, and who doesn't love baby birds and bunnies? I enjoyed the theme of trying ones' best, and I thought the focus on family in the end made it a great bedtime story. Perfect lead-in to goodnight hugs!

- reviewed by verified purchaser

A.J. Atlas brings readers a high-flying adventure with the "hoppity, floppity, huggable, snuggable pet bunny" Zozo in book two of the series, Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord. The Travels with Zozo... series follows Zozo and her family as they crisscross the world to see exciting new lands and partake in local cultures and adventures. In Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord, Zozo and her family are in the beautiful country of Norway. After spotting some well-meaning but towel-thieving eagles, Zozo is whisked away to meet their babies and see the stunning Norwegian fjords up close. While on this adventure, Zozo learns the importance of bravery and persistence as she cheers on the young eagles as they take their first flights.

Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord is a humorous tale that highlights the beauty of Norway and its unique landscapes. Like the first installment of the series, Zozo's curiosity and sense of adventure is contagious, and children are sure to be delighted by a land that may be new to them: one that has a trampoline park, the world's longest tunnel, snowy fjords, and long daylight hours. As fun as the story is, the book truly shines from the illustrations by Anne Zimanski that are coupled with it. The breathtaking landscapes are a pretty sight, but the comically adorable faces of the stunned eagles as they take their first flights are sure to make readers laugh. Travels with Zozo...in the Fjord is a fun sequel and makes this reader excited about future installments in the series.