The Great Zoodini

Silliness reigns in this caper about a lonely, fame-hungry fox who finds belonging within his reluctantly chosen family. Ever since his first skulk—humans who adopted him as a baby—broke his heart and surrendered him to an animal rescue, fennec fox Zoodini has lived up to his self-given moniker, doing his best to escape from any zoo he’s taken to. Luckily his trusted sidekick Hoppy—a stuffed rabbit whose voice only Zoodini can hear— supports his efforts. When the duo is transferred to Twin Buttes Animal Sanctuary and Drive-In Movie Theater in Colorado, Hoppy thinks they’ve found a forever home with a group comprising an orangutan, tortoise, otter, flamingo, and grizzly cub who host game and movie nights. But financial troubles, miscommunications, and human family grudges waylay any potential home sweet home. Though some of the action, including Zoodini’s cellphone use, strains credulity, Gardner (the Horace & Bunwinkle series) evokes belly laughs via clever naming conventions and incorporation of plot elements from musicals such as Grease. Readers will want to stay along for the ride and feel-good finale, ferried by a bighearted crew. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (July)