2016
WISE Score
Amazon
Judy Hopps plays detective for a crying elephant in a story that’s basically 'Baby’s First Noir,' minus the cigarettes and cynicism.
4.3
Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
Look, it's a Disney tie-in book. It’s not trying to be the next great American novel, and that’s fine. It takes the best parts of Judy Hopps—her hustle and her heart—and puts them into a low-stakes mystery about a lost popsicle.
It’s colorful, it’s kind, and it’s completely safe. If your kid likes animals or the movie, they’ll dig it. If you’re looking for deep literary merit or a complex plot, keep moving, but for a Tuesday night at 7:30 PM when you're exhausted, this is a total win.
Perfect for the 3 to 6-year-old crowd. It’s a staple for preschoolers who love being read to and a gentle 'confidence builder' for first graders just starting to read on their own.
It’s a textbook example of prosocial behavior. Judy Hopps spends her time helping a crying elephant and modeling genuine empathy and teamwork without any of the snark often found in modern kids' media.
While it leans on the existing world-building of the Zootopia film, the 'detective' format invites kids to engage with the environment and look for clues, which is a great gateway to creative problem-solving.
It is a picture book about a lost popsicle. There is zero chance of a child encountering anything scary, violent, or remotely inappropriate here. It's as safe as it gets.
Great for early literacy and basic logic. It teaches kids to follow a narrative thread and understand cause-and-effect through a simple mystery.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
