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Zoo Day
Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates animals of all kinds with a gorgeous new picture book about a child’s first visit to the zoo!
A young boy and his family visit the zoo for the very first time. From gorillas to lions, polar bears to parrots, Anne Rockwell and her daughter, artist Lizzy Rockwell, celebrate a day he will never forget. With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Zoo Day brings the joys of visiting the zoo vividly to life.
A young boy and his family visit the zoo for the very first time. From gorillas to lions, polar bears to parrots, Anne Rockwell and her daughter, artist Lizzy Rockwell, celebrate a day he will never forget. With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Zoo Day brings the joys of visiting the zoo vividly to life.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published January 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 19, 2017
The Rockwell family have never made a bad picture book, and this one shows what they are best at. This book is billed as a "My First Experience" book, but earlier books (illustrated by the late Harlow Rockwell) brought kids to the beach, to pick Apples and Pumpkins, to watch for a "spring robin," and more. The words are always simple enough for a 2 year old, but so well chosen so that they bring experiences alive for any age.
The little red headed girl of early books (based, I think, on Lizzy Rockwell, Anne and Harlow's daughter and the illustrator here) has now been replaced by a brown haired, tan skinned boy and girl, but hair color and skin tones don't matter with the Rockwells' books, because they speak to all children. Whether getting ready to visit the zoo, or just remembering a visit, this is truly a "good read."
The little red headed girl of early books (based, I think, on Lizzy Rockwell, Anne and Harlow's daughter and the illustrator here) has now been replaced by a brown haired, tan skinned boy and girl, but hair color and skin tones don't matter with the Rockwells' books, because they speak to all children. Whether getting ready to visit the zoo, or just remembering a visit, this is truly a "good read."
January 30, 2017
This book is part of the "My First Experience" series. I love the concept of introducing what the experience will be like in a friendly, approachable way, though I am not sure kids need to be prepared for the zoo as they would for the dentist or the first day of school. Nonetheless, the writing is pretty straightforward, yet with a clear voice. Excellent explanation of the purpose and idea behind a zoo park, especially suited for the very young. Thoughtful text taking into consideration the child's fears , expectations, viewpoint, and what might be unexpected. Covers details like a bird house, animal play, picnicking, souvenirs, zoo maps. Mother and daughter team have produced a winner.
March 17, 2018
Whether a child is familiar with the zoo or not, this book is a fun written experience story. It begins with a little boy explaining that he is going to the zoo for the first time with his mother, father, and little sister. I think this story would’ve been culturally rich if the family presented was not a stereotypical family of two parents and two children, as we know that many families are not actually made in this dynamic. Regardless, the story is interesting when animals are presented with variety. There are some details about their habitat, but I think the story could’ve been stronger and educational if the author used the introduction of these animals as a way to talk about the animals behaviors. While I am not personally bothered by animals in zoos, I would be aware that this book also does show animals in captivity. However, the animals are pictured being fed with lots of roaming space so I don’t think animal maltreatment should be a concern for those reading this book.
May 4, 2017
I do think this one would work fine if you needed to prepare an anxious or hesitant young child for their first zoo visit, but that is such a niche market and I don't see a value or special quality to this book beyond this highly specific situation. Maybe the fact that each of the family's two children find an animal experience that is special to them within the zoo?
March 7, 2020
There are some pretty harsh reviews for this book lol. We got it out from the library and my kid loved it and the past few nights he said he missed it since we returned it to the library so I’m going to buy it for his birthday present. The illustrations are beautiful and clear and the story is real and fun.
June 23, 2023
Introducing the extraordinary variety, and wonder, when a young child visits a zoo.
Illustrations by Anne Rockwell's daughter Lizzy are refined and dainty, which I find hilarious. While the text by Anne Rockwell is direct and evocative. Very much geared toward a very young reader.
That happy ending is perfect. (Though no spoiler from me, no no!)
Illustrations by Anne Rockwell's daughter Lizzy are refined and dainty, which I find hilarious. While the text by Anne Rockwell is direct and evocative. Very much geared toward a very young reader.
That happy ending is perfect. (Though no spoiler from me, no no!)
October 1, 2024
A bit too lengthy for most storytimes but can clip some pages. Good walkthrough of a typical zoo visit - from buying tickets and looking at the map to walking around visiting different areas and watching different feedings. It even includes getting lunch and a balloon at the end. Can help kids know what to expect at a zoo visit or to learn to relate others’ experiences to their own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
Zoo Day is about a little boy and his family's first trip to the zoo. I chose Zoo Day to be a part of my virtual library because it would be able to show students a good number of animals. Whether I read aloud or students read independently I think it would be a good learning tool to identify the animals. The book is intended for grades (PreK-3rd).
September 6, 2019
This was a good book, but it had a very simple story. It is a "my first experience" book and I believe it does do a good job at introducing some of the animals one would find at the zoo. In my opinion this book would be read to or by real young children.
November 3, 2020
Great for introducing the concept of a zoo to R. He loved it - identifying the animals, etc, and this was fun for us to read for him to learn how the zoo map worked, and then we could reinforce this by playing zoo with his animal figurines later.
February 1, 2022
February is learning about the city. Beautiful illustrations, and a story that really captures visiting the visit. I liked the map at the beginning of the book and following were the family goes next.
June 28, 2022
A great book about a family visiting the zoo and all they saw there. It’s a realistic book without a gripping plot or talking animals, so it’s a great book to read with a toddler or preschooler before going to the zoo
July 29, 2017
megan summer reading 2017, children's book, picture book, series, my first experiences, zoo, animals, family, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2018
A straight forward introduction of a zoo visit with pleasant illustrations.
March 22, 2018
A brother and sister cherish their first visit to the zoo and play with a menagerie of animals. The map at the beginning of the book makes a great reference point.
June 20, 2018
6/19/18 Read with Naomi, Julia, & Simon
October 22, 2018
I enjoy this series. Family outing to the zoo.
April 23, 2019
A day at the zoo is told by a boy going with his parents and his sister. He describes visiting different animals and mentions a little about each. Wonderful illustrations.
June 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. A family goes to the zoo and the book outlines many of the animals and experiences the family has.
October 29, 2019
For my students who have never been to the zoo, these clear illustrations and simple storyline help the kids get the experience!
November 7, 2019
Very nice illustrations. Too many words; a lot of the kids I read it to started to get restless.
February 23, 2020
A great book to discuss the animals at the zoo.
March 25, 2020
I think this is a really fun book. Lots of animals are colorfully illustrated. Our favorite part was looking at the zoo map and discussing it. Great teaching tool for my 4.5 year old.
January 7, 2022
K wanted to hear this one over and over.
May 26, 2022
My kids were distraught that kids the age in this book had never been to a zoo before. So my kids can experience a zoo.
August 2, 2022
Great concept book, though a little long for storytime.
June 8, 2023
Clear illustrations walk the reader through a first time visiting the zoo from a child's perspective.
Themes: zoos
Ages: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
Pub year: 2017
Themes: zoos
Ages: Kindergarten - 2nd grade
Pub year: 2017
March 26, 2024
Loved this 🥰
March 7, 2017
Kids go to the zoo. Very simple intro to this kind of outing.
March 1, 2017
The author keeps everything simple; perfect for sharing with a pre-school group.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews