
Reach for this book when your child is stuck in a rut, feeling bored, or needs a reminder that even a literal disaster can be turned into an opportunity for play. It is a fantastic remedy for a child who takes things a bit too seriously and needs to embrace the 'absurd' side of life. Following a wild tornado that drops bizarre creatures onto the McBroom farm, Josh McBroom and his eleven children decide to open a one-of-a-kind zoo. The story celebrates the classic American tall tale tradition, emphasizing resourcefulness and family bonding. It is a lighthearted, vocabulary-rich adventure perfect for elementary-aged readers who love wordplay and impossible animals. Parents will appreciate how it models turning a mess into a masterpiece with humor and a 'can-do' attitude.
The book is entirely secular and metaphorical in its approach to 'disaster.' While a tornado is the catalyst, it is treated with the hyperbole of a folk tale rather than the trauma of a real-world event. There are no heavy themes, death, or genuine peril.
An 8-year-old with a goofy sense of humor who loves 'Ripley's Believe It or Not' or someone who enjoys inventing their own creatures. It is perfect for a child who feels overwhelmed by chores and needs to see work transformed into a game.
None required. This is a very safe 'read-cold' book. You may want to practice your best 'Old West' storyteller voice to lean into the tall-tale style. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say, 'There's nothing to do,' or 'Everything is ruined,' after a small mishap or a change in plans.
Younger children (6-7) will be delighted by the physical comedy and the descriptions of the funny animals. Older children (9-10) will appreciate the sophisticated hyperbole, the rhythmic prose, and the irony of the McBroom family's 'truthfulness.'
Fleischman’s mastery of the American tall-tale genre is unmatched here. Unlike modern fantasy which often relies on complex world-building, this relies on linguistic gymnastics and the charming tradition of the 'unreliable but honest' narrator.
After a 'big wind' (tornado) passes through the McBroom farm, Josh McBroom and his large family discover that the storm has deposited a collection of mythical, impossible creatures in its wake. Rather than despairing over the chaos, they use their wits to wrangle animals like the Desert Vamooser and the Silver-Tailed Teakettler to establish McBroom's Zoo. The plot is a series of escalating, humorous vignettes centered on the capture and display of these tall-tale beasts.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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