Narrated by Leopold Augustus Gonzalo Tyler, an intelligent scarlet macaw, this is the story of the Animal Inn, a combination hotel, school, and spa for animals, as well as home to the human Tyler family, their two dogs, two cats, two gerbils, and Leopold, of course. The animals can talk to one another, which is how rumors spread like wildfire about a mysterious wizard bringing his dragon to the Animal Inn. The animals work themselves into a terrified tizzy until they meet the dragon, really just a shy Komodo dragon. Beginning with a prologue full of rapid-fire exposition, the short chapters boast humorous dialogue and a large vocabulary. Although the revolving door of animals and humans can be confusing at times, the plot engages the reader to the heartwarming conclusion. The occasional cartoonish, grayscale digital illustrations provide context from an animal's-eye perspective. The first in a series, animal-lovers will delight in the ever-changing menagerie of furry, scaly, and feathery friends at the wonderfully chaotic Animal Inn.

A misunderstanding at Animal Inn leads to anxiety.The Tyler family (Mom, Dad, Jake, Ethan, and Cassie-who all lack racial markers in the text but have light skin in the black-and-white illustrations) once lived in a city apartment but now live out in the country. There they run Animal Inn (a combined pet hotel, school, and spa that offers further animal services, such as puppy birthday parties and reading activities) with their family pets as permanent residents (narrator Leopold the macaw, terrier Dash, chocolate Lab Coco, cats Shadow and Whiskers, and gerbils Fuzzy and Furry). As the story opens, the animals first hear that a wizard is coming but find greater terror in the clarification that the wizard won't be the guest-the wizard's dragon will be. The animals' anxiety levels increase as they deal with the preparations of the inn for the new guest, even though at the halfway point one of the many guests (a miniature poodle, very French) relates an anecdote about unnecessary fear in the face of misinformation and misunderstandings. Finally, the dragon is revealed to be a rescued Komodo dragon and "wizard" the result of young Cassie's difficulties pronouncing the word "lizard," and soon all are friends. Here's hoping the next books will go lighter on the exposition, characters, and heavy-handedness. The didactic plot is further hampered by exposition and too many characters to keep straight. (preview of next book) (Fiction/animal fantasy. 7-10)

Gr 2-4 A scarlet macaw named Leopold Augustus Gonzalo Tyler relates the chronicles of Animal Inn (a pet hotel, school, and spa) as its residents prepare for the arrival of a special guest. Some speculate it will breathe fire, some are afraid they may be eaten, and others expect the special guest will have toxic spit. Once quarters are prepared in the basement and three handlers arrive, the creatures of Animal Inn meet a sick and lonely Komodo dragon. But just as soon as "Miss KD" tells her story of capture and confinement, the plot fast-forwards to her departure to a new home, leaving the creatures with very different feelings. VERDICT While some advanced chapter book readers may find redeeming qualities in the interactions of the characters, even the most devoted animal lovers will be less than satisfied by the uneven pacing, forgettable characters, and dull dialogue. Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa