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When a 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 and not nearly graceful enough for the flamingos So, he leaves. The animals soon regret being so unkind, but . . . what's this? The platypus has left an invitation! It seems he had actually come to the zoo to invite them all to his party.
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 and son Ridley, who are not.
Summary
A funny, rhyming picture book about the importance of tolerance and kindess, from the bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator, Ross Collins.
When a small, friendly platypus arrives at the zoo, the animals assume he has come about the vacancy and are all keen to interview him. But the chameleons dismiss him as too bland, the flamingos protest that he's not graceful enough and, despite his best efforts, poor Playtpus will never impress the monkeys. No one wants him and so Platypus turns and leaves. The animals swiftly regret being so unkind, but . . . what's this? The platypus has left an invitation! He had actually come to the zoo to invite them all to his party! But the platypus has a big heart and, with all forgiven and forgotten, he quickly welcomes his new zoo friends to a fantastic party on his PlatyBus!
A perfect bedtime story that combines comic misunderstandings with a touching message 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
From the award-winning creator of There's a Bear on My Chair, winner of the Amnesty CILIP Honour 2016 and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2016.
Can't get enough? Look out for more brilliant picture books by Ross Collins:
There's a Bear on my Chair, There's a Mouse in my House, What Does an Anteater Eat?, and
This is a Dog.
Foreword
Who knew a trip to the zoo could cause such a hullabaloo?
