5 stars
A fantastic start to a very promising series. I was pulled into this story from page one. The main character was easy to connect to and the narration was engaging.
Short chapters and simple writing make this a nice early chapter book for young readers. The awesome characters, intriguing plot, and suspenseful movements make it a fantastic read.
This book effortlessly works in various scientific principles such as the basics of the scientific method, the process of controlled experimentation, and animal dietary habits (carnivore, omnivore, herbivore). However, the blend of magic/science and the engaging story keep it interesting without making the reader feel like they are learning. A great way to make science more accessible and engaging for young readers. It was wonderful to see how much Zoey truly loves science and animals.
The book also includes black-and-white drawings throughout the chapters, which break up the text and pair nicely with the narration. I loved the adorable styling of the artwork.
At the end, there is also a glossary of some of the scientific words that come up in the story, such as cold-blooded, warm-blooded, hypothesis, and reptile.
A great read for young readers interested in science, animals, or just looking for a good book. Also nice for introducing some basic scientific concepts and potentially inspiring a deeper interest in science and animal studies. A very fun read. I am glad to see there are so many books in the series and cannot wait to find out who shows up at the magic door next.