ZOOMI & ZOE AND THE TRICKY TURNAROUND
By: Corey Ann Haydu
Illustrated by: Anne Appert
Published: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Quirk Books
Middle-Grade Fiction
The first in an expected new series, Zoomi is a cute rhino stuffed animal from the human world. Zoe is a girl living in the human world. Zoe is sad because her best friend moved away. Zoomi is also sad because their best friend has been assigned to a human. That’s where the Ticky Turnaround part comes into the story.
For Zoe and Zoomi to connect, Zoe has to travel through a magical pineapple to meet Zoomi and slide down the magical muddy rainbow slide together to be best stuffie/human friends. Of course, nothing can be that easy, especially because Zoe likes lists, likes to know what’s going to happen next, and isn’t too excited about the slide.
Early chapter book readers will appreciate the illustrated pages and the short chapters. My copy had black and white illustrations since it was an Advanced Reader Copy, but the finished copy is in vivid color with lots of purples and yellows. The illustrations were super cute and will help with comprehension and encourage kids to keep reading.
This easy-to-read story has a fantastical appeal to kids, is silly yet heartwarming, and has a bit of adventure to it. Kids will never look at their favorite stuffed animal the same again. For kids who need encouragement to try a chapter book and are okay with a bit of magic, try this new book and look for Book #2, THE SIBLING SITUATION, to come in August 2025.
*Note, Zoe in the story is the daughter of two dads. They are only mentioned a few times in the story, but this may appeal to some readers who are looking for books that feature a child with two dads.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of ZOOMI & ZOE AND THE TRICKY TURNAROUND
Get your own Rhino Plush Stuffie to go along with the story.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through
Posted Under Anne Appert, Book Review, Children's books, Corey Ann Haydu, chapter books, fantasy, juvenile fiction, magic