Zoo Flakes ABC [Hardcover]

Will C. Howell (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2002 | Age Level: 3 and up

A is for alligator, B is for bear. Can you find the animal hiding in there?

Not just another alphabet book—here is something special. Zooflakes ABC is a strong and simple concept book that works on more than one level. This graphically appealing alphabet book also develops children’s visual acuity as they seek the images hidden within the pictures. Familiar animals make it easy to pick out the lions, turtles, and bears within the delicate and astonishingly inventive cut-paper snowflakes that Will C. Howell has created. Once readers have learned their ABCs, they’ll learn to make their own Zooflakes in a fun “how to” section at the end of the book. In the classroom or at home, practicing your letters was never this much fun!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5-For those familiar with snowflakes made from folded paper, Zooflakes will provide a new take on this well-known craft. Each letter is illustrated with a six-sided, rice-paper cutout of six interconnected animals. Placed on circles of black paper and backed with brightly colored paper, some designs must be studied to determine where one animal begins and another ends, but the detail is such that it captures the imagination. A demonstration section at the end shows readers how to cut their own "zooflakes." Although the paper folding is complex, children who have created snowflakes should be able to master the intricate process. The only truly disappointing entry is "X is for fox." Nevertheless, the fascinating book design and unusual assortment of animals (newt, vulture, unicorn) will appeal to various ages.
Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. This alphabet book uses cut-paper snowflakes in animal shapes. "A is for Alligator" is accompanied by a very interesting cut-paper snowflake made of six alligators. "B is for Bear" shows an intricate snowflake with six bears in a circle. "O is for Octopus" is clear, even for young children; other patterns, such as "R is for Rabbit," require lots of close attention to identify the animals in the jagged cut-paper shapes. Each snowflake pattern appears inside a black circle set on a brightly colored background. Young children will love guessing what animal will come next, anticipating their favorite, and then finding it on the page. Older children will be fascinated as they study the snowflake creations from many angles. Fortunately, Howell adds a two-page spread at the back with instructions for those who want to fold and cut their own "zoo flakes." Kathy Broderick
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802788262
• ISBN-13: 978-0802788269
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,412,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a clever book, and not just for kids!, May 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Zoo Flakes ABC (Hardcover)

In this enchanting book, the author has created "zoo flakes," or paper snowflakes cut into animal kaleidoscope shapes, for each letter of the alphabet. What time and patience this process must have taken! These are not crude cutouts of rough animal shapes, but highly detailed silhouettes of unicorns, foxes (foxen?), and more. I encourage you to click on the book cover picture above so you can enlarge it and get a glimpse of the animal shapes shown on the cover. Great as an alphabet book for kids or a fun book for adults to look through -- it would be a unique conversation piece on a coffee table. It also includes directions at the end for making zoo flakes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zoo Flakes ABC, December 11, 2004

By 

P. Buchanan "alphabet geek" (whidbey island) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zoo Flakes ABC (Hardcover)

This is such a great book! For kids, for coffee table, for people all ages. I can hardly wait to make my own circus. The instructions look easy to follow, but even if I never get around to picking up the scissors, I'll enjoy looking at the book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!, November 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Zoo Flakes ABC (Hardcover)

My Children loved this book! Each Zoo Flake is so clever. My kids couldn't wait to make their own! I had to help my four year old with the folding and cutting, but the older kids did great on their own. They have asked if this could be "a Christmas thing" we do every year.