Perfect timing for Zombie Zoo – spooky season is right around the corner! We all know books are better than candy, well….

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About Zombie Zoo

Zombie Zoo: Adventures in Tub (Felix & Ninja, Book 1)

Written by: Melanie Abed 

Illustrated by: Hisham Abed

Ages: 9–13 | 244 Pages

Publisher: Oculus Print (2026) 

ISBN: 979-8-9952813-0-6

Find it: Amazon – B & N – Bookshop.org

Thirteen-year-old Felix Fizzystyxx is an aspiring naturalist who observes the world from his hidden tree fort at Wayward Amok Orphanage. When he witnesses glowing green goo and strange behavior in the orphanage, his life as a quiet observer ends. He partners with Ninja, an intense, shadow-dwelling orphan who trusts her instincts and operates alone, to investigate. Together they discover that the orphans — and soon the entire town of Spinachi on the island of Tub — are turning into wood-eating zombies controlled by a hive mind.

With the help of their eccentric mentor Doc Brunne, Felix and Ninja trace the cause to Noctiluna, rare bioluminescent organisms deliberately introduced into the town’s water supply, and race to find a cure before the whole town — including Doc himself — is lost to the transformation. Zombie Zoo kicks off the Adventures in Tub series with a debut story guaranteed to keep readers turning the pages.

My Thoughts

Zombie Zoo is a quirky, fast-paced middle grade adventure packed with mystery, suspense, science, and just the right amount of weird. I loved the alternating perspectives of observant, notebook-toting Felix and confident, action-first Ninja. They’re complete opposites, which makes watching them reluctantly learn to trust each other even more fun. There’s plenty of creepy without being too scary, and enough unanswered questions to make me curious about their next adventure! 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by The Children’s Book Review. I received a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Melanie Abed is a behavioral expert turned story weaver. She believes dragons are real but hiding, and finds thunderstorms equally delightful and terrifying. A tea-loving bookworm, she champions young minds and writes to help kids discover their superpowers are real.

Website | Instagram

About the Illustrator

Emmy-winning director Hisham Abed has established himself as a visionary creative force in television, directing commercially successful shows including Netflix’s Queer Eye and Disney’s High School Musical, and shaping the visual aesthetic of MTV’s Laguna Beach and The Hills. Beyond his directorial achievements, Hisham Abed is an accomplished illustrator whose detailed artwork brings imagination and style to every project he touches.

Website

Giveaway for Zombie Zoo

Zombie Zoo Tour

Follow along on the tour to see what others have to say! 

Date	Host	Content
August 14, 2026	The Children’s Book Review	Book Review
August 17, 2026	@tamiscripps	Instagram Reel
August 18, 2026	@nissa_the.bookworm	Instagram Post
August 20, 2026	The Children’s Book Review	Book List
August 21, 2026	icefairy’s Treasure Chest	Book Review
August 24, 2026	Lisa’s Reading	Guest Post
August 25, 2026	Deliciously Savvy	Book Review
August 27, 2026	Country Mamas With Kids	Book Review
August 28, 2026	Mary Lanni Reads	Book Review
August 31, 2026	@KidsLittleFreeLibraryIsLori	Book Review
September 1, 2026	Sybrina’s Book Blog	Guest Post
September 3, 2026	@ABlueBoxFullofBooks	Book Review
September 4, 2026	Life is What It’s Called	Author Interview
September 7, 2026	Writer with Wanderlust	Book Review
September 8, 2026	Q&As with Deborah Kalb	Author Interview
September 10, 2026	Cover Lover Book Review	Book Review
September 11, 2026	One More Exclamation	Book Review

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