Zoom Away

Zoom Trilogy #2

by Tim Wynne-Jones

Zoom joins his friend Maria in search of his Uncle Roy and finds himself stranded in the Arctic Sea.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Cats, Adventure

31 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Tim Wynne-Jones (born 12 August 1948) is an English–Canadian author of children's literature, including picture books and novels for children and young adults, novels for adults, radio dramas, songs for the CBC/Jim Henson production Fraggle Rock, as well as a children's musical and an opera libretto.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2001): The Boy in the Burning House
Edgar Award
◊ Best Young Adult (2002): The Boy in the Burning House

Reviews

[JennyCash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Zoom is off to the North Pole to find Uncle Roy. Beautiful artwork again!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zoom the cat has an affinity for the sea. "The sea is in his blood, " his friends say. One day he discovers a dusty diary he'd never seen before inscribed to him from his Uncle Roy, and on the last page is an address and a map of how to get to the sea. And so he goes.

A wonderful story. Magnificent illustrations. If you love picture books as I do, you really must get a copy and read this book.

And how did I come across this book? Pure serendipity. I found it in my Little Free Library and I thought I'd give it a quick read and put it back in the box. When I opened the book, I began to read a lovely and unexpectedly erudite introduction to a picture book. More serendipity. The introduction is by James Mustich, Jr., founder of A Common Reader, a periodical I adored as a young stay-at-home mom, filled with recommendations of books Mustich had run across and loved. I recently put my money where my mouth is and bought in-hand and ebook copies of Mustich's book, 1000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List. You probably need to buy that book and read it, too.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zoom, the cat, is knitting one day when his friend Maria enlists his help in finding his Uncle Roy, who is lost in the arctic in his attempt to find the North Pole. They find him (or at least his ship) by going upstairs in her house and through some doors and hallways. Kinda weird.

Illustrations are okay.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s on James Mustich’s 1000 books to read list so I read it, having enjoyed the first book. In the second book, Zoom and his friend Maria go searching at the North Pole for Zoom‘s uncle Roy. The illustrations are fabulous

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange adventure story about the North Pole.

[Vel Veeter]

In book two, Zoom returns to Maria’s house, his human friend, after spending some time knitting warm clothes. At her house, they go upstairs (North!) so that can go to the North Pole. As they climb the stairs, the stairs become covered in snow, and eventually Zoom has to put snowshoes (ping pong paddles) on his feet to continue walking. Eventually they come to a door called the Northwest Passage, and on the other side is a place for Zoom to go sledding, go ice skating, and see the various Arctic animals. He also comes across a sea-going vessel frozen in the ice with the name The Catship emblazoned on it. When he gets close to it, he finds it empty, but with a note from his Uncle telling him he will be back when the ice melts. Zoom eventually falls asleep and awake in Maria’s house in an armchair near the fire.

This second book is setting up the epic side of it. I am most reminded of the uncle from Fraggle Rock, who is cast an explorer and anthropologist. But in Zoom’s world all the details of the adventure are embedded into the scenery of the house itself, adding a delightful cleverness to it all.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wynne-Jones Waltz #2
Zoom #2
Middle entry in the Zoom series is quite engaging and a good introduction to a series format for young readers, including the old to be continued - although being this is a trilogy, it should have been to be concluded, but that is a minor quibble.
Anyway a decent little read.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all enjoyed how creative this story is.

[Emily Scheinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found all three Zoom books in beautiful condition at Mariposa Public Library in the Friends of Library books for sale room. It was like uncovering buried treasure. What a joy to read all three in one sitting!

[Karen Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Zoom book that was in the top 100 is Zoom at Sea. I have read two in the series and they would be good for seeing how a story is developed and for Ideas in 6 traits writing.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoom by Tim Wynne-Jones is a cute story about Zoom the kitty. He travels to the South Pole to see his grandfather. He travels far and wide, but inside a mansion.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

From my childhood, it was fine.