Customer Reviews

Birthday Zoo

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What do children enjoy more than a birthday party? Young folks find a visit to the zoo exciting. The combination of the two in "Birthday Zoo" is bound to bring smiles of delight.

Illustrated in engaging watercolors and presented in catchy rhyme, the story opens with a question, "`Hey, what's the big deal?'" noticed the seal." When it's discovered that the big deal is a birthday preparations begin.

"`What do we do?' asked the emu. `Make everyone happy,' said the okapi." And that's precisely what this joyful narrative will do as balloons are blown up, party hats distributed, and refreshments served.

At the last, imagine being wished happy birthday by a whole zoo!

- Gail Cooke

This book delivers on the promise in its jacket cover with Rose's enchanting, lilting rhymes and Munsinger's uproarious and lively watercolor illustrations of a zoo full of animals putting on a birthday party for a delighted young boy. It is "a birthday present to open again and again." The irresistible rhymes include: "'But where to begin?' asked the shy tamarin. `Blow up balloons.' puffed the raccoons." Laughter or at least a broad smile will erupt when this verse is read in its full-spread illustration of eight raccoons eagerly blowing up colorful birthday balloons and cheerfully floating up to the ceiling with them while a bewildered tamarin looks on. Similar hilarious delights fill the entire book as the animals progress from setting up the party to a playful and joyous celebration complete with presents, games, and cake. But, don't forget to turn the over the last page or you'll miss a great surprise. Highly recommended for ages 2 to 6

Birthday Zoo is a joyful picture book by Deborah Lee Rose about the most exciting birthday celebration ever. A whimsical poem about fun activities suggested by various playful animal friends, and cheerful color illustrations by Lynn Munsinger make Birthday Zoo an upbeat, entertaining, and highly recommended picture book for beginning readers.

I was excited to read this book when I got it in the mail. I have never read books by this author. After this read, I can't wait to read more by Ms. Rose. I really enjoyed the book and so did both of my kiddos. It's all about animals at the zoo getting ready for a little boys birthday. It would make a great birthday gift for a little boy or girl. The illustrations compliment the text and had my daughter talking on and on about what was happening in the story. The text is full of catchy rhymes; such as, "Blow up the balloons," puffed the raccoons. "Spread out a cloth," directed the sloth. As a teacher I was thinking of all the opportunities to teach rhyming with this fun book. After one read through, we reread it and as I read I left out the last word in each sentence and my son would fill in the blank with an animal word that rhymed. He had so much fun filling in the blanks and didn't even know he was working on literacy skills. This book is fun to read and great for working on rhyming!