120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Come visit us this weekend! Auckland Bookstore open 8:30am-5:00pm Sat & Sun πŸŽ‰

This Zoo is Not for You

By Ross Collins
Series: Ross Collins
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.62 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 312 ratings, 62 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
When a small platypus visits the zoo, the resident animals mistakenly believe he has come to apply for a job and subject him to a series of amusing interviews. Finding him unremarkable, they soon send him away, only to discover he came with an invitation to a party. With misunderstandings cleared up, the platypus hosts a joyous celebration that embraces acceptance and friendship.

This rhyming picture book by award-winning author Ross Collins combines humour and heart in a story about belonging.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1899
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for young children and early readers, especially those who enjoy playful rhymes and stories about friendship and inclusion.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Who knew a trip to the zoo could cause such a hullabaloo? This paperback edition comes with a free audio reading.

Who knew a trip to the zoo could cause such a hullabaloo?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When a small platypus visits the zoo, the animals all assume he has come about the vacancy and he is swiftly taken through a rigorous interview process. But the platypus is far too bland for the chameleons, not nearly graceful enough for the flamingos, and his tricks will never impress the monkeys. So, he leaves. The animals soon regret being so unkind, but... what's this? The platypus has left an invitation! Oh dear - it seems he had actually come to the zoo to invite them all to his party. Uh-oh! But with all forgiven and forgotten, the platypus welcomes his new zoo friends to a fantastic party on his Platypus!

This rollicking rhyming picture book, from the award-winning creator of There's a Bear on My Chair, combines comic misunderstandings with a heartfelt story about acceptance and belonging.

There's a touch of Tim Minchin about Collins... his tone is funny but heartfelt and a little bit rock'n'roll - Guardian

This paperback edition comes with a free audio reading featuring music and using children's voices - accessible anywhere and anytime you're connected to the internet by scanning a QR code on your smartphone or tablet.

Series: Ross Collins

View all
  • What Does An Anteater Eat?
    Anteater is hungry, but he has completely forgotten what anteaters eat. Baffled and with his tummy rumbling, he consults the other animals. But Sloth is too busy, Toucan is clueless, and Crocodile has his own mouth full. Maybe the ants will know - and maybe the answer isn't quite as obvious as you may think! A delightfully silly tale that...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    Poor Mouse! A bear has settled in his favourite chair and that chair just isn't big enough for two. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to move the pesky Bear but nothing works and poor Mouse gives up. Once Mouse has gone, Bear gets up and walks home. But what's that? Is that a Mouse in Bear's house?! There's a...
    By Ross Collins
    Board book
    $1799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • We Disagree About This Tree
    A fantastically funny festive story about the Bear and Mouse who always disagree, from the award-winning Ross Collins, creator of the bestselling There's a Bear in My Chair. Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony... until it's time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles......
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    Poor Mouse! A bear has decided to settle in his favourite chair, and that chair just isn't big enough for them to share. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to move Bear, from glaring at him and scaring him, to luring him with a pear, but nothing works. Eventually, Mouse gives up. Once Mouse has gone, Bear gets up from...
    By Ross Collins
    Hardback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • This Zoo is Not for You
    When a small platypus visits the zoo, the animals all assume he has come about the vacancy and he is swiftly taken through a rigorous interview process. But the platypus is far too bland for the chameleons, not nearly graceful enough for the flamingos, and his tricks will never impress the monkeys. So, he leaves. The animals soon regret being...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788002523

Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 May 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Nosy Crow Ltd

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 270.0mm

Height: 270.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 32

Collections

Children's Books Children's Picture Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Ross Collins Series: Ross Collins

About the Author

Ross Collins's primary 1 teacher, Mrs Spears, told his parents that he should go to art school. 13 years went by until he was finally 'old enough' to get into the Glasgow School of Art. Can you believe that? - 13 years. On graduating he won the Macmillan Prize for his first picture book. Since then he's illustrated over 100 books for children and written a few of them too. Several of them have won enormous glittering awards which he keeps in a box in Latvia. Ross's book The Elephantom was recently adapted into a critically acclaimed play by those clever people at the National Theatre who made that War Horse thing. When he's not creating children's books he enjoys working on character development for animation studios like Laika and Disney. He also likes walking in the Scottish glens with his dog Hugo, who is an idiot, and his partner Jacqui, who is not.

Also by Ross Collins

View all
  • Blamehounds
    A wickedly clever and hilarious canine tale from a superstar author-illustrator. Whenever there’s a pong, poo or puddle that can’t be explained, Norman and Ringo are the hounds that take the blame. Determined to exploit their status for profit, Blamehounds Inc. is soon in business and small dogs the world over are admitting responsibility for accidents, eruptions and even the...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • What Does An Anteater Eat?
    Anteater is hungry, but he has completely forgotten what anteaters eat. Baffled and with his tummy rumbling, he consults the other animals. But Sloth is too busy, Toucan is clueless, and Crocodile has his own mouth full. Maybe the ants will know - and maybe the answer isn't quite as obvious as you may think! A delightfully silly tale that...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Cheesemares
    A hilarious nightmare-fuelled tale from a superstar author-illustrator. Cheesemares follows Hal, a young boy convinced there's a connection between his favourite cheesy snacks and the horrible nightmares he keeps having. Determined to solve his cheesemares once and for all, he embarks on a mission with his faithful companion, Rufus the dog. Join Hal as he confronts the horror of The...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • How to Scare a Mouse and Bear
    It's Halloween - woo-hoo! - and Bear is determined to scare Mouse. Mouse, however, isn't fooled by Bear's clumsy attempts to dress up. Bear's ghostly wail is just plain silly and his werewolf smells of wet dog. But wait! Who's knocking at the door now? This mysterious monster might just scare them both... Watch out, it's Fright Night! Will you...
    By Ross Collins
    Hardback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • What Does An Anteater Eat?
    Anteater is hungry, but he has completely forgotten what anteaters eat. Baffled and with his tummy rumbling, he consults the other animals. But Sloth is too busy, Toucan is clueless, and Crocodile has his own mouth full. Maybe the ants will know - and maybe the answer isn't quite as obvious as you may think! A delightfully silly tale that...
    By Ross Collins
    Board book
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    A fantastically funny rhyming picture book from the bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator, Ross Collins. Poor Mouse! A bear has settled in his favourite chair, and that chair just isn't big enough for two. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to shift Bear, but nothing works, and tired old Mouse eventually gives up. Once Mouse has gone, however, that...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    Backorder
    Ships early October
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    Poor Mouse! A bear has settled in his favourite chair and that chair just isn't big enough for two. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to move the pesky Bear but nothing works and poor Mouse gives up. Once Mouse has gone, Bear gets up and walks home. But what's that? Is that a Mouse in Bear's house?! There's a...
    By Ross Collins
    Board book
    $1799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • No Swimming
    Sometimes a rabbit just wants to go for a swim! But is that the best idea when the sign says "No Swimming"? When a rabbit meets a sneaky sea monkey trying to get him into the water, he has questions; lots of them! What are carrots doing in a lake? Why are there no fish? Is the water cold? And,...
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • We Disagree About This Tree
    A fantastically funny festive story about the Bear and Mouse who always disagree, from the award-winning Ross Collins, creator of the bestselling There's a Bear in My Chair. Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony... until it's time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles......
    By Ross Collins
    Paperback
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • We Disagree About This Tree
    Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony . . . until it's time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles . . . and, wait a minute, did Mouse just put a MANATEE on the top?! A topsy-turvy tree is definitely the last straw and...
    By Ross Collins
    Board book
    $1699
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    Poor Mouse! A bear has decided to settle in his favourite chair, and that chair just isn't big enough for them to share. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to move Bear, from glaring at him and scaring him, to luring him with a pear, but nothing works. Eventually, Mouse gives up. Once Mouse has gone, Bear gets up from...
    By Ross Collins
    Hardback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • There's a Bear on My Chair
    A fantastically funny rhyming picture book, from the bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator, Ross Collins. Poor Mouse! A bear has settled in his favourite chair and that chair just isn't big enough for two. Mouse tries all kinds of tactics to shift Bear, but nothing works and tired old Mouse eventually gives up. Once Mouse has gone, however, that...
    By Ross Collins
    Hardback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. β€œ[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    By Matt Stanton
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Wild Summer
    A gorgeously whimsical interactive picture book that inspires kids to get outside and engage with nature. With simple, evocative wording and stunning watercolour illustrations, this book celebrates summer days, running through grass and singing with birds. Wild Summer is a joyous read that draws kids in and sends them out with a wanderlust for nature, encouraging mindfulness, gratitude and acceptance....
    By Vasanti Unka
    Hardback
    $2699
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all