'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day

by Catherine Ipcizade, Catherine Ipcizade

This delightful adaptation of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, shares zoo keeper and animal preparations for the upcoming “Zoo Day.” But things aren’t going according to plan . . . The llamas won’t quit spitting, the giraffes are drooling, and the zebras aren’t happy at all with their stripes. Meanwhile, the zoo keepers are scurrying this way and that, cleaning up poop, ringing mealtime bells, and trying to get the animals bathed. Will “Zoo Day” go off without a hitch? The “For Creative Minds” educational section includes “Creative Sparks: imagine you’re a zoo keeper,” and “An Animal Adaptation Matching Activity.”

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2007

Reviews

[Corinne O’Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really fun because it's a narrative, poem, and informational book all in one. In the book, the zookeepers go around the zoo to prepare for a school field trip the next day. As they go to each animal exhibit, the story/poem incorporates facts about each animal in fun ways. This can be fun for students learning about animals, or if they are going to go to the zoo.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about zookeepers and how they take care of the animals the day before everyone arrives for the next day. First it explains how they take care of the monkeys, then ends with them cleaning the elephant. At the end of the day the zookeepers go home and wait for the morning to welcome people into the zoo. The end of the book has activities for children. The activity is making the images that are in the book with the descriptions of the animals. At the end there are also fun facts about each of the animals. Some of the fun facts are things like what things they eat, if they are a mammal or not, and what their babies are called. The book even adds facts about zookeepers and how important their jobs are. I gave this book 5 stars because I loved the extra information that was added at the end, I think children would really enjoy that especially after seeing all those animals in the book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very cute book that would work best with older children. The additional sections in the back that provide more details are especially helpful if encouraging a deeper look into zookeepers or just taking care of animals in general.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

How does a zoo get ready on the day before a school visit? Rhyming couplets share some animal facts.

[Sara Bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'Twas the Day before Zoo Day" is refreshingly creative with a spin off of the old classic, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Written in verse, you're taken through the entire zoo animal by animal. There is a lot of information woven into the rhymes about each of the different types of animals. It all builds up to the end when the zoo is finally prepared and all of the children come for their field trip. The back of the book features questions, matching, and more information about the animals in the book. This is a wonderful little read and I would definitely recommend it to children grades K-2.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's one to use with older preschoolers and early elementary students. The illustrations are lovely and this is set to a well known tune the children will recognize and appreciate. The matching section in the back of the book is something I would like to replicate as an activity to use after reading this to a group of children.

[Terry]

To read our full review (that includes the kids' opinions!), go to the Reading Tub.

[Jen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute take on twas the night before Christmas as it shows all the animals and zoo keeper getting ready at the zoo.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun preschool-2nd grade zoo book based on the rhyme Twas the Night Before Christmas. Activities are in the back for teachers or parents to use with kids.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindergarteners would get a kick out of this.

[Tina B · Rating 4 out of 5]

"zoo animals, excellent choice for elementary level read-aloud; incredible curriculumn connection"

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute take on what animals and zoo workers do the day before the zoo opens (told in a "twas the night before Christmas" style).

Fun, cartoony illustrations.