The Great Escape from City Zoo

Great kids book by a vitural unknown. After reading (and buying) the Singing Hat, I took this from the library and had to have it. It even uses the Nighthawks picture with a little liberty taken. The guy's a genius, and my literary hero. He's the Dave Barry of Australia who quit to write childrens books, and did a great job. Enough irony for the adults. Get it.

Tohby Riddle is one of my favourite children's authors. He has a great sense of humour that appeals to adults and children alike. Great Escape uses lots of pop culture references - The Beatles Abbey Road album cover, King Kong and the Lochness Monster, etc - in a way that creates humour for more mature readers, but because the fun and exciting story doesn't rely on understanding these references, the book remains a real crowd-pleaser.One of the great myths about kid's picture books is that if they're not bright and colourful, they're no good. Riddle's Black & White illustrated Great Escape should convince sceptics once and for all that this is not true.

The author and illustrator of this book did quite a job! It is very 'tricky' to tell such a serious story, that carries such deep meaning, to a 6 year old. But it worked! I have had to read it a few times to my daughter. I like books that open doors for children and that encourage them to ask questions about real life things. Like: "Why did the 'bad guys' take them away?", and "Will 'the bad guys' always try and get the Flamingo?". It has shown my daughter, the price that freedom sometimes has. Very different approach to children's books, with an undertone of seriousness, and a hint of humor. If you want 'jolly', do not get this book. If you want lessons-on-life, do!