Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
Dear Zoo & Friends Series
on Goodreads (26,202)
What’s inside...
The book 'Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book' by Rod Campbell is a delightful interactive book for young children. The story revolves around a young child who writes to the zoo asking for a pet. The zoo sends various animals, but each one is unsuitable for different reasons - the elephant is too big, the lion too fierce, the giraffe too tall, the monkey too naughty. In the end, the zoo sends the perfect pet, a puppy. This classic lift-the-flap book offers an engaging and amusing experience for young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
18 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the zoo sent so many different animals?
Which animal would you want to keep as a pet and why?
How do you think the animals felt being sent from the zoo?
What would you have done if you received an animal you didn’t like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on each animal by asking what traits they like or dislike about them.
Discuss the concept of responsibility in pet ownership and what kind of care different animals need.
Use the flaps in the book as a surprise element to keep your child excited and guessing what the next animal could be.
After reading, consider visiting a zoo or watching a documentary about animals to further their interest and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: In 'Dear Zoo,' the child writes to the zoo to send a pet, which leads to a series of trial and error as different animals are sent. This demonstrates an engaging way to solve a problem through persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn that finding the right solution may require trying several options and that resilience is key to overcoming challenges.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: As the child in the book waits for the perfect pet, each animal sent by the zoo is not suitable, teaching the value of patience until the right option arrives.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of waiting for the right moment, whether it’s waiting their turn or anticipating a special event.
Example Lesson: Understanding Animal Traits
Explanation: Each animal sent by the zoo exhibits different traits, such as being too big or too scary, which helps children learn specific characteristics of various animals.
Real-World Application: Knowing animal traits can enhance a child's understanding of the natural world, promoting empathy and awareness toward living creatures.