From Publishers Weekly
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. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 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.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
‘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.’ —SLJ. Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1987 (NSTA/CBC)


Card catalog description
Provides a behind-the-scenes look at a working day at the zoo, from the moment the workers arrive until the night guard locks the gate.


About the Author
Gail Gibbons, "a master of children's non-fiction" (ALA Booklist), has created over one hundred entertaining, eye-catching books that explain how things work. She lives in Corinth, Vermont. In Her Own Words..."I was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1944. Even as a little child, I was always busy putting books together. Sometimes I would bind them with yarn to hold the pages together I've always loved drawing and painting. I was also a very curious child. My parents tell me that I was always asking lots and lots of questions."Later, I went to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child d. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon."Since then, over seventy books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are nonfiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do."Most of the time I live in Corinth, Vermont, in the middle of three hundred acres. I live with my husband, Kent Ancliffe, and our dog, Wilton. We also have three cats. My life in Vermont is very secluded. There are lots of wild animals that live on our property. We also spend a lot of time on an island off the coast of Maine where we have a little farmhouse. In fact, my book Christmas on an Island is about Christmas on this island."I have many hobbies, like swimming and boating, but my favorites are reading and creating books."


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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.


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