Zoo

by Gail Gibbons, Gail Gibbons (Illustrator)

Overview

A lively, behind-the-scenes look at just what it takes to keep a zoo running, perfect for sharing with the youngest zoo-goers.

The zoo is a very busy place! From early in the morning until evening comes, a lot goes on to keep the animals safe and comfortable. There are kitchens where people prepare the special diets the animals need. And there are nurseries where zoo keepers raise baby animals until they are big enough to go to their exhibit areas.

"Before the zoo opens each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative." (School Library Journal)

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children (NSTA/CBC)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780064460965
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	01/30/1991
Series:	A Trophy Nonfiction Bk.
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	527,322
Product dimensions:	8.69(w) x 6.88(h) x 0.00(d)
Lexile:	630L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Gail Gibbons, author of more than one hundred books, is the winner of the Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children’s nonfiction literature. Called a “master of picture book nonfiction” by ALA Booklist, Ms. Gibbons has a special talent for making complex subjects understandable and entertaining for young readers.

Gail Gibbons, author of more than one hundred books, is the winner of the Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children’s nonfiction literature. Called a “master of picture book nonfiction” by ALA Booklist, Ms. Gibbons has a special talent for making complex subjects understandable and entertaining for young readers.

Editorial Reviews

"The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative.’ — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Gibbons, an established creator of award-winning nonfiction, now turns her attention to zoos. In her familiar style, combining very simple line drawings, bold colors and an informative narrative, she leads youngsters through an entire day at a large zoo. She includes all sorts of workers: maintenance, food service, keepers, veterinarians and security guards. Unfortunately, this entry is less successful than earlier books. The narrative is informative but neither terribly lively nor exciting. The problem might be in the limitations of her graphic style when paired with this topic. The brilliant details and hues of her machinery and landscapes don't translate as well to her animalsthey lack vitality and interest. Workmanlike, quite useful, but not a first choice. Ages 4-8. (September)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PreS-Gr 2 Before the zoo opens to the public each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers files through the gates early in the morning to perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in to enjoy the animals in their as-natural-as- possible settings and to play in the special Children's Zoo. A multi-ethnic group of women and men are shown preparing spe cial diets, sluicing out cages, checking on their animal charges, tidying the grounds, selling food and souveniers, and con structing a new exhibit. Male and female veterinarians tend an elephant with a stomachache and a lion with a painful tooth. The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative. This interesting look behind the zoo scenes is illustrated in Gibbons' usual flat, simple, clearly-de fined style in the very bright colors so ap pealing to young children. Patricia Pearl, First Presbyterian School, Mar tinsville, Va.

School Library Journal