Zagazoo by Quentin Blake

Zagazoo Reviews

• 
  Hilary

  A very funny observation of parenthood. George and Bella are young, carefree, like flower arranging, eating ice cream and are in love. One day a baby arrives (by post of course) George and Bella have never been happier. Then one day the baby turns into a vulture, it's cries are terrifying, particularly at night. Then the vulture turns into a baby elephant, trampling about the house, then a warthog and a bat. Some days it is a bit of each. Then the warthog turns into a Zagazoo, a long hairy teenager-ish creature, George and Bella don't know what to do, they simply can't take anymore (they've turned grey at this point) Then one morning they discover they have a perfectly nice young man living with them, he has a girlfriend and they both enjoy motorcycle maintenance. At this point there is a twist about George and Bella but you'll have to read it to find out.
  
  We loved this book when our children were small and it caused much amusement for both children and adults. Recently our son was mending a motorbike and we both smiled.
  
  We have a well worn copy of this but it is also available on open library.
• 
  SheAintGotNoShoes

  Now that was both fun and super creative !! Much like Bella and George, I don't think I could live with the warthog either ! ( except the one from the Lion King who is a great singer ! )
• 
  Verdiana M.

  Un albo illustrato esilarante che strizza l’occhio a tutti i neo-genitori, ma anche a quelli “più esperti” che ricorderanno con un sorriso le fasi animalesche che ogni bambino in qualche modo attraversa, fino a quando...
• 
  Zoltan Abbott

  Quentin Blakes’s Zagazoo is a fantastic book, looking at the possible difficulties of parenting from a very humorous perspective.
  George and Bella are a happy couple who receive a strange looking parcel in the mail, which contains a pretty little pink creature as pretty as could be: Zagazoo!
  Blake describes the changes that children go through as they grow up and lets us see just how difficult it can be for poor Bella and George to look after (metaphorically) screeching vultures and destructive elephants and muddy warthogs.
  As a teaching resource I can see uses for it in relation to elementary sex education, demonstrating to children the difficulties and the responsibilities of parenting, from year 3. Alternatively, it could be used to help children explore thoughts about when they (or their siblings) are elephants or small bad-tempered dragons. Through this, they can also explore the literary merits of analogy and metaphor. It is presented in a simple and very accessible way and would be a great stimulus for children to write their own stories focused on these sorts of metaphors, again from year 3 onwards.
• 
  Matt Davies

  This book tells the story of George and Bella, who receive a parcel in the post that contains Zagazoo. It then follows them through all of Zagazoo's changes on the way to being an adult. It's a delightfully imaginative exploration of growing up and how those changes may seem to those around us, which is beautifully illustrated throughout. Also, the final line, "Isn't life amazing!" fills me with joy every time I read it. I think this would could be read either as a group or independently, and could also be used in whole or in part to lead into discussion (or writing) about growth and change (or even things students enjoy as these are carefully laid out for both the couples in the book).
• 
  Randie D. Camp, M.S.

  George and Bella are a lovely couple, so when they receive a Zagazoo, they take good care of it. At first the Zagazoo is cute, but sometimes it's a screeching vulture, a clumsy elephant, a muddy warthog, or a bad-tempered dragon. Will George and Bella be able to raise their Zagazoo or will they go crazy?
  
  Blake's illustrations and story humorously capture the joys of parenting. Children are pretty cute but at times they can be loud, muddy, hairy, angry, etc. The ending made me smile. Fun book for kiddos but parents will love it even more.
• 
  Gooshe Net

  توضیحی استثنایی از زندگی برای کودکان؛ زاگازو داستان تولد، کودکی، نوجوانی، جوانی و کهنسالی آدمیزاد را برای کودکان توضیح می‌دهد. کوئنتین بلیک یکی از شناخته‌شده‌ترین و بهترین تصویرگران و نویسندگان کودک زندگی را انحنای بزرگی می‌بیند از شادی به وحشت و از وحشت به شادی
• 
  Ece

  "Isn't life amazing!"
• 
  Adrian

  One day the postman brought them a strange-looking parcel. They unwrapped it together. Inside there was a little pink creature, as pretty as can be. On it was a label which said: It's name is Zagazoo.
  
  Ah, another
  Quentin Blake for our collection and this one is filled with his unique style of madness and mischievous silliness.
  
  When George and Bella are delivered a baby by the postman, they couldn't be happier. However, all is not what it seems!
  
  A fun little read and a bargain at 20p in a local charity shop. 4 stars.
• 
  RunRachelRun

  My 4-year old nephew and my mom slyly gave this to me to read to the kids, knowing that I'd be crazy wild about it. It's a very imaginative book about a couple whose perfect life is interrupted by a package containing a baby, which turns into a... well, just read it. Preferably, read it to a child - it's much more fun that way and make sure you let your surprise come through in your voice - it's a hoot!
• 
  The Styling Librarian

  Zagazoo by Quentin Blake – I think I read this book a while ago, was lovely to revisit. Interesting to think about two adults receiving a child by package delivery and then see the child grow and change through the years. My son “got” it, “Mom, I think he changes into all the different animals depending on his mood and then after a while he finally becomes human again…” It is quite the funny, special, creative book!
• 
  Desiree

  Awesome children's book!! I think this book is suitable for parents too, the story is simple but very touching, a well-written (& well-illustrated) allegory of the cycle of life.
  Or maybe it was perfect timing for me to have read this book after the birth of my son, who coincidentally also has the letter 'Z' as his initial.
• 
  Man

  What to say? I adore Quentin Blake's imagination, especially when it comes to drawing. This story is just so weird and random and crazy that you have to either like or dislike it. I obviously like it!
• 
  Stephanie Moss

  I bought this book when I visited London and honestly, I did not read it until I got home. But I love it because it is cute for kids and has a deeper meaning for adults. It reminded me if the book "duck feet" that I read all the time when I was younger. Too cute!
• 
  Catherine

  Dear parents of boys, consider this a public service announcement. The book Zagazoo by Quentin Blake seems a great telling of life as parents. The darling baby transforms into all manner of terrifying creatures. Until one day... Well, let's just say it turns out alright.
• 
  Ian

  Clever premise, charmingly illustrated, and doesn't overstay its welcome.
• 
  Parsley

  I wish I'd had this book when my children were small, it would have made life so much easier to understand!!
• 
  Jonathan Paxton

  Read this to my 5 year old. Utterly wonderful.
• 
  Shivakukatla

  Funny 😀.
• 
  Rachel

  Gives hope when in the mayhem of parenting! A picture book every parent should own:)
• 
  Anthony

  George and Bella, a very happy couple who enjoys doing everything together, receives a mysterious package with a pretty creature in it. But the creature begins to change, and continues to change until it becomes the most amazing creature of all, which please George and Bella very much. So what is a Zagazoo? It just might be you.
• 
  Fred

  A delightful children’s book! Very relatable to parents about the difficulties and pay-offs of children growing up.
  Illustrations of QB are inevitably wonderful. I would recommend this for young readers!
• 
  Catherine

  This is a funny, unexpected book. It outlines the passage of time while raising children pretty well. I do not know who the target audience is. Perhaps new parents?