Dumb Bunnies Go to the Zoo

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?More calculated and savvy stupid stuff, this fourth story continues in the same vein as the previous three titles. The Bunny family goes to the zoo, mistakes a butterfly resting on the lion sign for a real lion, panics and lets all of the animals out of their cages before finally being encouraged to leave. It isn't the story, though, that draws the laughs. It's Pilkey's wacky cartoon art done in watercolors, acrylics, India ink (and vanilla yogurt, creamed asparagus, and Tang Instant Breakfast Drink, if one checks the front matter). Word play, calculated misspellings, allusions galore, funny signs, and slapstick humor assault readers at every turn. Some of the humor is generally above the heads of the intended audience but provides a stretch for precocious youngsters and a snort for the hapless adult called upon to read the story aloud. Even the underwear is noisy: Poppa Bunny's is decorated with yellow smiley faces that scream when the lion is let loose. Silly as it is, this book is sure to go around a classroom like wildfire as children rush to point out to one another the good bits, funny parts, and grossness. It's bound to be read to tatters?just as its predecessors have been.?Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Ages 6^-8. The Dumb Bunnies are back in a supremely silly adventure. This time out the dim-witted trio go to the zoo, where they spot a butterfly hovering over the sign "Lion" in front of the big cat's cage and figure the butterfly is the lion. Announcing that "THE LION IS LOOSE," they almost start a riot. As in the first two books, much of the humor is visual: the buck toothed bunnies' garden grows SWEET POTATOES that smooch, and MUMS that look just like mom. At least as much fun as the deadpan delivery, the wordplay, and the electrically colored cartoons are the asides for adults such as the author's credentials in the flap copy: "Sue Denim has written . . . . the poorly reviewed best-seller The Septic Tanks of Madison County." Pint-size fans and their good-humored parents should equally enjoy this one. Julie Corsaro


Card catalog description
When the Dumb Bunnies visit the zoo they let all the animals out of their cages because they mistake a butterfly for an escaped lion.


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Gr 1-3More calculated and savvy stupid stuff, this fourth story continues in the same vein as the previous three titles. The Bunny family goes to the zoo, mistakes a butterfly resting on the lion sign for a real lion, panics and lets all of the animals out of their cages before finally being encouraged to leave. It isn't the story, though, that draws the laughs. It's Pilkey's wacky cartoon art done in watercolors, acrylics, India ink (and vanilla yogurt, creamed asparagus, and Tang Instant Breakfast Drink, if one checks the front matter). Word play, calculated misspellings, allusions galore, funny signs, and slapstick humor assault readers at every turn. Some of the humor is generally above the heads of the intended audience but provides a stretch for precocious youngsters and a snort for the hapless adult called upon to read the story aloud. Even the underwear is noisy: Poppa Bunny's is decorated with yellow smiley faces that scream when the lion is let loose. Silly as it is, this book is sure to go around a classroom like wildfire as children rush to point out to one another the good bits, funny parts, and grossness. It's bound to be read to tattersjust as its predecessors have been.Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA


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