AT THE ZOO (Books for Young Readers) [Hardcover]

Paul Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1991 | Series: Books for Young Readers

A light and tumble journey across town to the zoo can bring encounters with the honest monkeys, kindly elephants, and skeptical orangutans.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Simon's musical romp through the zoo has been transformed into a picture book for young children. Parents are more likely than their offspring to recognize the honest monkeys, insincere giraffes, kindly but dumb elephants, skeptical orangutans, and reactionary zebras of the Simon/Garfunkel song. However, the illustrations, featuring giraffes in "cool shades," frogs on surfboards, and antelopes with Red Cross flags attached to their antlers, will prompt some giggles from young animal lovers. Except for the silly humor, the line-and-wash paintings do little to enhance or illuminate the lyrics. Overly cute caricatures of children and anthropomorphic animals done in a cartoon style rarely rise above comic-strip quality. Unfortunately, the music is not reprinted with the lyrics. A delightful song, a worthy cause (Simon's royalties will be donated to the Children's Health Fund), but a mediocre picture book. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (August 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385417713
• ISBN-13: 978-0385417716
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars From a teacher's point of view..., May 15, 2011

By 

James R. Combs - See all my reviews

This review is from: AT THE ZOO (Books for Young Readers) (Hardcover)

This book was one of my students' favorites, especially when I would teach them the tune, and we would sing it in class...little ones love the pictures, and the intermediate age kids really picked up on the humor...I love the way Simon worked in the idea of Rum, being a character in the book - kept it totally appropriate for animal lovers of any age....totally DISAGREE with the first review. FAR OUT, Paul Simon :) !

5.0 out of 5 stars A favorite!, November 13, 2009

By 

Geneva M. Massey "gahh" (WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At the Zoo (Hardcover)

one of my daughters favorites (she is now 18) we bought for her friends baby shower

5.0 out of 5 stars fun and poetic, April 5, 2006

By 

N. Allal (Geneva, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AT THE ZOO (Books for Young Readers) (Hardcover)

I completely disagree with the review by (if I remember rightly?) Heike Pieter above... The books drawings are fun and poetic and the caracters are lovable. My 2-year-old son, who has no previous Simon and Garfunkel experience, picked the book out at the library and enjoys my humming along of the lyrics without having to understand each subtlety and as a parent it's fun for me too! There's tons of details to seek out and we spend ages exploring the zoo together.