Boo! Zoo
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
At the Boo Zoo, the animals enjoy playing a game of BOO! Visitors can search for hidden animal parts like a foot, nose, or tail, and then say 'I can see you!' After that, they can fold back the flap to reveal the animal and see which one says 'BOO!'
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience when the zoo animals tried to scare each other? Why?
Which animal's trick was your favorite and what would you have done if you were there?
How did the animals work together in the book? Can you think of a time when you worked together with your friends?
What do you think is the message of the story? How do you treat your friends when you want to play a fun trick?
If you could add another animal to the zoo, which one would it be and what fun scare would it do?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, maintain an enthusiastic and curious tone to make the conversation enjoyable and draw your child into deeper thinking about the story.
Refer back to specific scenes and illustrations in the book to help your child recall details and to build their narrative skills.
Encourage your child to express their emotions about different scenes in the book and relate them to their own experiences, fostering empathy and emotional understanding.
After discussing the questions, encourage creative thinking by asking your child to imagine a new ending or an additional character, enhancing their creativity and analytical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: Through the myriad of unique and different animals presented at the zoo, 'Boo! Zoo' teaches children to appreciate and celebrate differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to accept and value diverse cultures and perspectives among their peers, enhancing social harmony.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The book portrays characters who are initially scared but gradually find the courage to face their fears, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to confront their own fears, whether it's trying new activities or overcoming daily challenges.
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: Characters in 'Boo! Zoo' ask questions and explore their surroundings, illustrating the benefits of curiosity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to inquire and learn about their environment, fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: Animals in the book work together to organize a surprise, highlighting the value of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by collaborating with others in group tasks at school or in community settings.
Example Lesson: Joy in simple pleasures
Explanation: The story shows characters finding happiness in simple activities, promoting contentment with small joys.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to find happiness in everyday life and appreciate moments of simple joy, reducing materialistic dependencies.