zoo's who
on Goodreads (81)
What’s inside...
Climb on into Douglas Florian's latest poetry compendium, featuring twenty-one original poems and paintings about creatures from across the animal kingdom. With sleepy sloths and portly pigs, lazy lizards and regal eagles, this creeping, leaping, sweeping collection of zoological delights is certain to have animal enthusiasts everywhere rattling their cages for more.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite animal in the zoo and why?
How do you think the animals feel living in the zoo?
If you could talk to one of the animals, which one would you choose and what would you ask?
Can you think of a story where one of the zoo animals goes on an adventure?
What did you learn about any of the animals that was surprising or new to you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different animals while reading to make the experience more vivid and engaging.
Pause after reading about each animal to ask your child what they think or feel about what was just read.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or animal from the book; this helps in reinforcing what they've learned.
Relate the animals to real-life visits to the zoo or nature documentaries to enhance connection with the book's content.
After reading, have your child summarize the book in their own words, promoting comprehension and retention.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation for biodiversity
Explanation: Through rich illustrations and witty poems, 'Zoo's Who' showcases a wide range of animals from the animal kingdom, emphasizing their unique traits and habitats.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and respect the diversity of wildlife, understanding the importance of each species to the ecosystem, which can foster a sense of responsibility towards environment conservation.
Example Lesson: Creativity and expression through language
Explanation: 'Zoo's Who' offers playful and imaginative poems about animals, which can inspire children to explore language creatively and appreciate poetry.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to express themselves through writing or verbal storytelling, enhancing their language skills and creativity.
Example Lesson: Observation skills
Explanation: The detailed illustrations in 'Zoo's Who' invite children to pay attention to the subtleties of visual representation, capturing the essence of each animal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these observation skills in real life by noticing and appreciating details in their surroundings, aiding in their cognitive and perceptual development.
Example Lesson: Humor as a learning tool
Explanation: The book uses humor through playful poems and illustrations, making the learning process enjoyable and memorable.
Real-World Application: This can teach children that learning can be fun and enjoyable, potentially increasing their engagement and interest in academic and extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards animals
Explanation: By portraying animals in a sympathetic and relatable way, 'Zoo's Who' encourages children to consider the feelings and lives of animals.
Real-World Application: This can lead to heightened empathy and kinder interactions with animals in their own lives, nurturing compassionate young individuals.