A trip to the zoo can introduce children to animals from around the world, but the adventure doesn’t have to end when everyone heads home. This week’s Young Reader’s Shelf takes young readers back to the zoo through four books filled with animals, humor, friendship and a little mischief.
Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
What happens when you write to the zoo and ask for a pet?
In Rod Campbell’s Dear Zoo, the zoo tries to fulfill the request, sending one animal after another. There’s an elephant, a giraffe, a lion, a monkey and more — but each presents a problem. Children lift the flaps to discover which animal has arrived and why it might not make the ideal pet.
First published in 1982, Dear Zoo has become a children’s classic. Its simple language, repetition and interactive flaps make it especially appealing to toddlers and preschoolers. Publisher Simon & Schuster recommends the board book for ages 1-4.
About the author: Rod Campbell specializes in books for babies and toddlers. His books frequently use repeating phrases and interactive features such as flaps and touch-and-feel elements. Dear Zoo, his best-known title, has sold more than 2 million copies.
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
The zookeeper is making his nighttime rounds, saying good night to the animals. There’s just one problem: A mischievous gorilla has gotten hold of the keys.
One by one, the animals quietly leave their cages and follow the unsuspecting zookeeper home. With very few words, Good Night, Gorilla lets the illustrations do much of the storytelling, making it fun for children to study the pictures and discover details for themselves.
The book is recommended for ages 2-5 and was named an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book.
About the author: Peggy Rathmann studied psychology before pursuing commercial art, fine art, and children’s book writing and illustration. Good Night, Gorilla actually grew out of an assignment while she was studying children’s books. Rathmann later won the 1996 Caldecott Medal for Officer Buckle and Gloria.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Amos McGee has friends at the zoo, and he knows each one well. He races with the tortoise, keeps the shy penguin company and reads bedtime stories to the owl.
Then one day Amos is sick and doesn’t come to work.
His animal friends know exactly what to do: They go to see him.
Written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, A Sick Day for Amos McGee is as much a story about friendship and kindness as it is a zoo story. It won the 2011 Caldecott Medal and is recommended for ages 2-6.
About the creators: Husband-and-wife team Philip and Erin Stead created the story together, with Philip writing and Erin illustrating. Erin’s quiet pencil and woodblock illustrations help create the gentle mood that makes the book particularly suited for reading aloud.
Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire
Spot desperately wants to live in the zoo, but the zoo doesn’t seem interested.
That gives Spot a chance to demonstrate exactly what makes him special. His spots can change colors, move around and even jump onto other objects.
Published in 1960, Put Me in the Zoo is part of the Beginner Books series created to encourage children to begin reading independently. The rhyming story combines colors, simple vocabulary and plenty of silliness. The original edition is recommended for ages 3-7.
About the author: Robert Lopshire wrote and illustrated several Beginner Books, including Put Me in the Zoo, I Want to Be Somebody New! and New Tracks I Can Do! He died in 2002.
From zoo visit to reading time
These books offer something for several stages of early reading:
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