Zoomi and Zoe and the Tricky Turnaround

Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3

The Princess in Black meets Monsters, Inc. in this zany, heartwarming new series for early readers 4 to 8 years old!

Written by the acclaimed Corey Ann Haydu with sweet, quirky illustrations by Anne Appert, the Zoomi and Zoe series explores the wonder and anxiety of life's first big transitions with warmth, whimsy, and plenty of silliness.

Zoe loves routine, her stuffed rhino Zoomi, and her best friend Kyla. When Kyla moves away, Zoe feels alone. Until somehow, she’s transported to a magical new world with just one sort-of-familiar face: Zoomi, who is suddenly very much real.

Zoomi loves adventure, zooming, and her best friend Moo. In her world, life is full of happy surprises, but one ritual is certain: when something hard happens, she’ll have Tricky Turnaround. And when she does, a Happy Helpful Human from the “real” world will arrive to help her through it.

But when Zoe arrives, she doesn’t seem very happy. Or helpful. Or interested in the party Zoomi threw for her—complete with toothbrushes and a rainbow mud slide. In fact, Zoe may be navigating a Tricky Turnaround of her own. Can Zoomi and Zoe come together to help each other with the trickier parts of growing up, like saying goodbye to friends and making new ones?

Keep an eye out for book two, The Sibling Situation, launching in August 2025!

Series Overview: Princess in Black meets Monsters, Inc in this whimsical, zany illustrated early chapter book series about an unlikely friendship between a glittery monster, Zoomi, and her new imaginary friend—a human named Zoe. This topsy-turvy series will gently explore life’s first big transitions—like friends moving away, new siblings, and the loss of a pet—with humor, heart, and magic.

About the Author

Corey Ann Haydu is the author of many critically acclaimed middle grade and young adult novels, including Eventown, Lawless Spaces, Ever Cursed, and One Jar of Magic. She is also the author of the Hand-Me-Down Magic chapter book series and the upcoming picture book, A Place for Feelings. Corey is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and The New School’s Writing for Children MFA program, and a faculty member of the Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young daughters.

Author Residence: Brooklyn, NY

Author Hometown: Dover, MA

Anne Appert is a storyteller who uses whimsy and humor to inspire and connect with readers on their own journeys toward becoming their most authentic selves. Anne went to the Fashion Institute of Technology for a BFA in illustration with a minor in English so they could bring their stories to life. Their first book was Blob, a picture book about being yourself. Their second book, What If You Wish?, is a picture book about the power of perseverance and wonder. Anne hopes to inspire all kids through fun and imaginative storytelling to dream big and love themselves. You can visit Anne at anneappert.com.

Illustrator Residence:Warren, NJ and Cambridge, MA

Illustrator Hometown:Warren, NJ