Children's book author
Anna McQuinn
  • Home
  • MY BOOKS
  • Articles
    • ARTICLES & TIPS - Starting School
    • Article - ZEKI LUNCH backstory >
      • Article -LEO LUNCH backstory
    • ARTICLE - ZEKI Rise & Sleep
    • ARTICLE - LEO Rise & Sleep
    • ARTICLE - Kanga
    • Articles about specific books
    • Articles about Inclusion
    • Articles about WRITING & PUBUBLISHING
    • Articles about CHILD DEVELOPMENT
  • Activities
    • LISTEN! >
      • Éist!
    • Activities about PETS
    • Activities about Flowers
  • Banned Books
    • My statement on Banned Books
  • Blog
  • Talks, Workshops and Author visits
  • Appreciation Page
  • illustrators / co-authors
  • Prizes
  • About
  • Contact me
    • Links - other
  • Information for writers
  • More about Zora's Bees
    • Index to BEE topics

What people are saying...

Top summer reads for kids: 2024! 
" With a tender plot and charming illustrations, the story unfolds, celebrating cherished family moments and the joy of dining together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere." - Selected by IBC Inclusive Books for Children
Picture
My favourite baby is eating out
and of course, it is typically joyous.
Anna's words, alongside Ruth's illustrations, help the youngest readers to experience the pleasure
of time with family, doing something they love.
Another Zeki triumph!

– Sonia Thompson, Headteacher/Director, St Matthew's Primary Research & Support School

Once again, Anna McQuinn and Ruth Hearson celebrate the importance of fathers actively engaging in their child's life and, implicitly, how this contributes significantly to their child's social, emotional, and cognitive development. I love them & AlannaMax Books deeply for this.
– Mathew Tobin, Senior Lecturer in English and Childrne's Literature, Oxford Brookes University

A sweet and fun celebration of a father, son and Nana who enjoy some time together out for lunch. A perfect read for babies and toddlers who may recognise themselves in the illustrations playing with a toy kitchen and having ice cream for dessert! With lovely simple sentences and playful illustrations this is another great addition to the Zeki series 😊
- EYFS Books & Things on Instagram

" This latest in the series about Zeki and his family demonstrates once again the amalgamation of the simple, happy storytelling of Anna McQuinn and Ruth Hearson's brilliant illustrations ...both Zeki and Mr Seahorse learn useful lessons to ensure that the family can enjoy plenty of meals out together in the future... Together McQuinn and Hearson form a partnership that produces more than the sum of its parts.
Hearson's vividly colourful pictures with their expressive depictions of family life tell the story clearly enough for the youngest toddler to understand. McQuinn's simple and clear vocabulary is equally appealing to slightly older children who are beginning to link words and pictures as a prelude to reading.

This story is just the thing to get young readers hooked on books for life – I can't recommend it highly enough.
Ideal for readers up to four years, and with such a useful lesson demonstrated that parents and caregivers are sure to enjoy too.
– Jan Maher, Children's Books Ireland

Picture
There are some books I recommend with my school librarian ‘hat’ on and others that I enjoy on a personal level.
The Zeki series falls into a rather special category, ‘recommended by my toddler grandson’! However I would be wholeheartedly recommending Zeki to all Early Years settings in my school librarian role too.
This latest title celebrates a family outing to a restaurant and incorporates many experiences familiar to very young children such as time with grandparents, trying new foods and meeting people...

As with all the books in this delightful series this is a thoughtfully created little package full of detail, care and understanding. Anna McQuinn has selected vocabulary that is clear and readily understood by young listeners.
For example when playing, Zeki tells his toy seahorse to ”sit nicely and not to play with his food.”
This, I think, is a kind way in which to convey to little ones what is, ideally, expected of them too.

The visit to the toilets before lunch includes the ”Whoosh” of the hand-dryer, something that may startle young children if they are not expecting it. The illustration for this double page spread is at Zeki’s height level which is a helpful touch too. Ruth Hearson has a knack for conveying joy in her pictures and the presence of Mr Seahorse on every page captures the importance to a small child of their favourite ‘cuddly’.

Zeki Eats Out is wonderful for encouraging play, conversation and new vocabulary but most of all it celebrates the joy of family experiences shared together and is a welcome addition to this perfect series for babies and young children. No wonder my grandson loves Zeki!
Published this month by Alanna Max. I would like to thank the publishers and Fay Erek for my review copy.
– Anne Thompson, A Library Lady Reviews

Picture
I love my copy Anne! My beautiful boy is so happy to be out with family! Anna and Ruth capture the love so perfectly! As you can see, Reception are fans of this series, at St Matts. Cannot wait to get this in their reading space too! – Sonia Thompson, Headteacher/Director, St Matthew's Primary Research & Support School

Proudly powered by Weebly