5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer Dawn reviews this new picture book. She received a copy for review purposes and was compensated for writing it, but her opinions are her own.
In her bedroom, Zoe has created an entire world of her own. In her space, she can enjoy tea with the royal court, build empires out of blocks, and gaze out at the stars from her dormer window. As the self-proclaimed Queen of the Universe, this situation suits her just fine, until the day that her parents change everything. From the title of Zoe’s Room (No Sisters Allowed), astute and experienced parents can likely guess what fate awaits Zoe in the new picture book by Bethanie Deeney Murguia.
Zoe’s spirit shines through in this relatable story, and children and parents alike will see that Zoe is a child who loves to play and stretch her imagination. Sometimes, that playtime just can’t be interrupted by something as dreadful as bedtime. It would appear that Zoe’s evening playtimes have gone unchecked until the day that her parents announce she will be getting a roommate– her little sister Addie. It’s not so easy to continue her nighttime adventures when they wake her sister, and a crying toddler stops everything cold. Will Zoe be able to adapt to her new living conditions? Perhaps she’ll find some advantages to having a little sister nearby!
Readers may already know fiesty little Zoe from Murguia’s 2012 picture book Zoe Gets Ready, and they will be happy to see that she’s still as spirited as ever. The simple story structure makes this picture book accessible to young readers, though the story certainly allows for extended conversations with children, especially those who may have first-hand experience with the sharing that is often required among siblings! The illustrations are colorful and engaging, giving life to the world of young children in pen, ink, and watercolor.
Check out the trailer to get introduced to Zoe:
Win it!
Are you interested in sharing Zoe’s Room (No Sisters Allowed) with a child in your life? We’re happy to announce a special giveaway. Please follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter below to enter. Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prize pack (valued at $72.98, courtesy of Scholastic) includes:
- Pink Ombre blanket
- 1 copy of Zoe’s Room (No Sisters Allowed)
- 1 copy of Zoe Gets Ready
I shared a room with my younger sister
I did share a room and my kids are sharing a room too.
Thanks for the chance!
yes we shared a room and loved it!
I had to share 🙁
Shared with siblings!
I always had to share and I remember it very fondly.
i shared with my sister
I didn’t have to share a room with my sister.
I had to share a room with my little brother until I was 12, I hated it!!
Thankfully I’ve never had to share a room & neither have my kids!
My kids do share
I did share a room and my kids are sharing a room right now
Never shared a room. Occasionally my kids will move in with each other though.
I had to share a room with my sister. So far it looks like our kids won’t have to share their rooms, but that could change depending on how much more we decide to expand our family.
I did not have to share a room.
I shared a room with my sister
I shared a room with my sister!
I didn’t but my girls do!
My kids never shared a room. I did when I was young.
I shared a room growing up. Sometimes with two sister and sometimes only one. My kids don’t share a room but sometimes sneak into each others rooms and fall asleep
Hi Dawn, are you also the maker of that Zoe’s video? Will definitely buy it if my baby girl grow older, hope it will last long <3
I wish I could take responsibility, but no, that video is the official “book trailer” made (presumably) by the publisher. 🙂