Dear Zoo

What do our readers think of Dear Zoo? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy lifting the flaps, naming the animals and joining in with the repeated words and animal sounds. They often find the simple surprises funny and exciting, although some children may need help understanding why zoo animals cannot be kept as pets.

What does the Pageticker team say about Dear Zoo?

We love the playful lift-the-flap format, bright illustrations and wonderfully repetitive text, which invite very young children to join in and guess what is hiding underneath. The animal surprises make this an excellent choice for shared reading, while also supporting early vocabulary, animal sounds and turn-taking. Some interesting potential discussion points about why wild animals are not suitable pets; a cheerful, engaging classic for toddlers.

Genres

What is Dear Zoo about?

Lift the flaps and discover which animals the zoo has sent in this delightful classic! From a jumpy monkey to a huge elephant, each page brings a new surprise. Will the perfect pet finally arrive? With its bright pictures and simple, engaging story, Dear Zoo is perfect for sharing with little ones who love animals.

About the author

Rod Campbell is a much-loved children's author and illustrator from Scotland. He is best known for creating 'Dear Zoo', a classic book where animals are sent as presents! Rod's stories often use simple words and bright pictures, making them fun and easy for young readers to enjoy and share with their families.

Discussion ideas around Dear Zoo

Animal surprises: Which animal would you most like to discover behind a flap, and what makes it interesting?

The perfect pet: What animal do you think would make a good pet, and how would you look after it?

Big and small: How are the animals different in size, movement or sound?

Zoo animals: Why do you think some animals belong in a zoo rather than in a home?