Title: Dear Zoo (A Lift-the-Flap Book) and Dear Zoo (A Touch and Feel Book)

Author: Rod Campbell

Publisher: Little Simon /Macmillan Children’s Books

Number of pages: 18

Type of Book: Fiction, Educational

Age: 0 – 4

Buy it here: http://readingcorner.ng/P3415-Dear-zoo-touch-and-feel-C665.asp;  https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Zoo-Lift-Flap-Book/dp/141694737X ; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0230757871

Price: N2620; $5.29; £9.98

MY SUMMARY

The book starts with this line:

“I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet and they sent me an …”

The remaining sixteen (16) pages show eight (8) different animals sent to the narrator from the zoo. He rejects the first seven (7) as they wouldn’t make suitable pets and decided to keep the eighth (8^th) one, the puppy. The book introduces toddlers to animals, especially animals they would see in regular zoos (or in everyday life) such as the puppy, frog, snake, monkey, etc. There are two versions of this book, a Lift-the-Flap version and a Touch-and-Feel version.

In the Lift-the-Flap Book, the animals come half-hidden in wooden crates and young readers would have fun guessing what animals lie hidden in the crates.

In the Touch-and-Feel Book, the animals aren’t hidden, but they have body parts with different textures that toddlers can touch and feel.

THUMBS UP AND DOWN

UP: Your little one will learn about eight (8) animals and some of their features. She will touch the frog’s sticky icky feet and the giraffe’s long, hairy neck and put her finger in the lion’s mouth!

Both books are interactive and have their strengths, ultimately, they will bring knowledge and laughter to young readers. Did you know, this book was first published in 1982? Yes! 35 years ago! It is loved by toddlers all over the world and has sold over 5 million copies.

It’s a must have for toddlers and their moms (and dads, aunties, uncles, grandparents). My 2.75 year old loves it to pieces!! He loves lifting the flaps and making the animal sounds

DOWN: None

RATING

5 Stars

HAVE FUN WITH THIS BOOK

1. Learn more exciting things about the animals such as the sounds they make, food they eat, etc. Make the animal sounds while reading the book.
2. Play a guessing game. Before lifting the flap, ask your toddler to guess what animal lies hidden in the crate.
3. Better still, visit Dear Zoo and friends here for more FUN !!!
4. Visit a real zoo after reading the book.

CHALLENGE: Dear Zoo 

CREATE (WRITE a Story/Poem OR DRAW)

1. Draw and colour 5 animals in the book. (2 – 4 year olds)

Send your answers to ugochinyelu.anidi@gmail.com

Entry requirements: Entrants must be within the 2 – 4 age range. The first correct entry will be announced on this page and will win a copy of this book and a free ticket to LUFASI Nature Park, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Answers must be submitted before 12:00am on February, 1^st 2017.

Next Book of the Week:

PRESS HERE by Hervé Tullet

photo credit: amazon.com