Picture Books for Your Day at the Zoo

With spring emerging, many families and classes will be heading to the zoo.   It is a terrific place to visit.  Two of my favorite memories are zoo trips.  On one of them, I was with my boyfriend (now, husband).  I felt like I was walking on air as we held hands, gazed into each other’s eyes, and oh, yea, saw the amazing animals at the Philadelphia Zoo!  The second best one was a class field trip when my daughter was in fourth grade.  I drove three hours with my daughter, her friend, and her friend’s mom.   The trip there and back was as fun as the zoo!   I am always in awe at the diversity and creativity that is reflected in God’s creation.  Zoos are one of the best places to get a glimpse of His work.   

Before you head off for a memorable trip to the zoo, read What’s New at the Zoo?  and ‘Twas the Day Before Zoo Day from Sylvan Dell. 

What’s New at the Zoo? (ages 2-6) by Suzanne Slade  

A mother and her son are going on an animal adventure at the zoo.  Together, they count the number of animals at each exhibit or habitat.  The two-page spreads depict groups of animals interacting both together and with their environments.  A short poetic riddle describes each location.  Here is a sample: 

Five fuzzy brown bears

Snuggle close and smile.

Two cubs wiggle in.

How many in the pile?

Then, at the bottom of each scene is an addition problem: 5 + 2 =.   There are so many excellent teaching opportunities just from sitting down and reading What’s New at the Zoo?  to your children, such as alliteration, rhyme, animal names (including male, female, and baby), counting, and adding.  Of course, your kids will be inspired to have their own animal adventure as they count animals on your zoo day trip.  Sylvan Dell provides a 50-page Teaching Guide and other resources at its website. 

'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day (ages 3-8) by Catherine Ipcizade  
This entertaining adaption of the famous ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem brings the animal preparations and habits to life.  There is excitement and anticipation in the air.  Meerkats are watching from their dens while nibbling on bugs.  The dirty, naughty elephants spray the zoo keepers with their trunks and frolic in the cool mud.  The llamas are instructed not to spit.  Other animals are more laid back like the lions slumbering with their heads on their paws and turtles hiding in their shells.  Some animals are discontented:  The Zebras feel their stripes have gotten too dull, so they wish to have polka dots.  Each page is written as an amusing, rhyming stanzas:

With big wooly paws and eyes like the night,
the black bears look scary and cause a fright.
But they really like frolicking out in the sun.
It's true they roar loudly, but mostly for fun. 

As the sun goes down, the zookeepers leave the animals to rest up for the big day.  The next morning, a flood of enthusiastic children enter the zoo for Zoo Day.  Read 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day before you trip to the zoo.  Through the entertaining text and beautiful illustrations, children will learn about animal habits and temperaments, the zoo keeper's job, poetry, and rhyme.  Sylvan Dell provides a 33-page Teaching Guide and other resources at its website to use with your lesson plans or as fun activities. 

Check out SanDiegoZooKids for games, activities, and animal information (pictures, facts, and videos).