Zoo Do's and Don'ts

Amazon.com
In author-illustrator Todd Parr's world, there are a few important rules one must always follow when visiting the zoo. "Do feed an elephant peanuts. Don't feed her peanut butter. Do take dancing lessons with a porcupine. Don't slow dance with him. Do wash your clothes with a rhino. Don't hang them on his horns to dry." Civilization would be much more civil if we could all abide by these simple behavior guidelines.

Brilliant colors and boldly outlined kid-style drawings of animals set Parr's books apart from the pack, not to mention his thoroughly nutty views on social decorum. Every one of his outrageously goofy (yet somehow earnest) life primers, including The Okay Book, The Best Friends Book, and Do's and Don'ts, will keep readers from 2 to 102 giggling and sputtering with delight. Parents might want to keep a close eye on their young ones during their next visit to the zoo, on the off chance Junior might forget his etiquette and try to use a snake as a bookmark or connect the dots with a leopard's spots. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter


From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-In Friends, children read about both human and animal pals. The text and illustrations are equally funny: "Best friends will forgive you even if you step on their paw" faces an illustration of a yowling dog with a bandaged foot. In Zoo, "Do go to the movies with a skunk" is accompanied by a picture of a skunk in a theater with three friends. "Don't make her mad" features the malodorous skunk seated all alone. Children will laugh out loud at these tongue-in-cheek efforts. The bold colors and silly stick figures outlined in black will capture their attention and clarify the texts. The books' small size may make them difficult to share with large audiences, but consider them for more intimate storytimes.Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Card catalog description
Presents twelve pairs of do's and don'ts for having fun with animals at the zoo, such as "Do take a nap with a hippo" but "Don't let him steal the covers."


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

K-Gr 2-In Friends, children read about both human and animal pals. The text and illustrations are equally funny: "Best friends will forgive you even if you step on their paw" faces an illustration of a yowling dog with a bandaged foot. In Zoo, "Do go to the movies with a skunk" is accompanied by a picture of a skunk in a theater with three friends. "Don't make her mad" features the malodorous skunk seated all alone. Children will laugh out loud at these tongue-in-cheek efforts. The bold colors and silly stick figures outlined in black will capture their attention and clarify the texts. The books' small size may make them difficult to share with large audiences, but consider them for more intimate storytimes.-Olga R. Barnes, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, NC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices