Birthday Zoo

Features

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 24 pages
• Published by: Albert Whitman & Company March 30, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0807507776
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0807507773
• Book Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Weighs: 2.4 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
Birthday Zoo by Deborah Lee Rose, illus. by Lynn Munsinger, follows an assortment of animals as they get the party started for one lucky kid (" `Who is it for?' inquired the boar. `Kid with the presents,' answered the pheasants"). Happily chaotic illustrations create a festive mood (a final painting reveals the guests as stuffed toys). Ages 3-6.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2-With simple, rhyming statements and a few questions, 23 animals describe their efforts to make a birthday party for a young, gleeful, red-haired boy. The fun begins with a date circled on the calendar. "`Hey, what's the big deal?' noticed the seal. `Birthday today!' reported the ray." Interesting verbs add to the fun, as in "`We need some more forks!' flurried the storks"; and "`Go on, make a wish,' burbled the fish." While Rose's strong rhythm and rhymes will charm youngsters in a storytime, Munsinger's lively pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations beg for closer inspection. Readers will delight in the skillfully drawn, realistic animals engaged in fantastic activity, such as the seal bearing a stack of gifts on the top of his nose, the sloth lying on the tablecloth he is spreading, bats sporting paper hats, and much more on each captivating spread. A sense of reality wordlessly returns on the concluding page as the boy feeds cake to his menagerie of stuffed animals. Libraries will want to support birthdays, zoo trips, and flights of fancy with this splendid celebration.
Laura Scott, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Birthday Zoo (Hardcover) What do children enjoy more than a birthday party? Young folks find a visit to the zoo exciting. The combination of the two in "Birthday Zoo" is bound to bring smiles of delight. Illustrated in engaging watercolors and presented in catchy rhyme, the story opens with a question, "`Hey, what's the big deal?'" noticed the seal." When it's discovered that the big deal is a birthday preparations begin. "`What do we do?' asked the emu. `Make everyone happy,' said the okapi." And that's precisely what this joyful narrative will do as balloons are blown up, party hats distributed, and refreshments served. At the last, imagine being wished happy birthday by a whole zoo! - Gail Cooke