book cover

Zeki Eats Out

by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson

Interest age: 2 to 3

Published by Alanna Max, 2024

  • Picture books

About this book

Zeki is excited because he’s going out for lunch in a restaurant with Daddy and Nana-G – and his toy, Mr Seahorse. When they get to the restaurant, their waiter Bruno brings them menus and they choose what they want. Delicious! At the end of the meal, Zeki says goodbye to Bruno and everyone goes home. What a super day!

In the latest in the delightful Zeki series of books for toddlers, Zeki experiences another life event for perhaps the first time – eating out. In this lovely series by McQuinn and Hearson, Zeki explores a number of everyday activities like going swimming, going to the park and gardening, all of which are new to little ones.

The language is straightforward and clear, but always captures the interest of the occasion. McQuinn also understands what interests little ones, which is frequently the small things – in Zeki Eats Out, for instance, going to the bathroom with Daddy and washing their hands, using the air dryer, is afforded the same level of interest as eating, seeing Nana-G, and choosing from the menu.

As with all the Zeki books, it’s a pleasure to see a modern black family depicted, and Hearson’s illustrations are warm, vivid and have an appealingly comfy feel.

About the author

Anna McQuinn has worked in children's books for more than thirty years as an editor, publisher, and a writer. She has a deep and abiding interest in child development in the early years, and her writing is informed by her many years working as a Sure Start community librarian.
Anna has written over 50 books for young children, most well known for her Lulu and Zeki series.
She lives in the wilds of the Kerry coast in Ireland with her partner and a small black cat.

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