Product Description

This delightful adaptation of the children's classic, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, takes readers to the zoo, as preparations are under way for 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 zookeepers are scurrying this way and that, cleaning up poop, ringing mealtime bells, and trying to get the animals bathed. But are the naughty elephants listening? Not a chance. And if that wasn't bad enough, a poor alligator mistakes a bee for a fly, and instead of eating supper, he gets stung in the eye! Does it all work out? Will the zookeepers end up spending the night at the zoo? Will Zoo Day go off without a hitch, or will the dancing monkeys take over?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #444599 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781934359082
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—The zookeepers are busy getting ready for Zoo Day. They are cleaning cages and bathing and feeding the animals. Some of the creatures, like recalcitrant children, are ill-behaved. The llamas are spitting, the giraffes are slurping. "While out in the dirt, naughty elephants rolled,/not listening at all to what they'd been told./They frolicked in mud to cool down from the sun./Their trunks became sprinklers and soaked everyone." Finally, the sun goes down and the workers go home. The next morning, the animals and their babies prepare themselves for the crowds of children arriving on yellow buses. This silly, slight story ends abruptly with the zookeepers standing at the gates while the children enter the zoo. Large color cartoon illustrations support the text. Back matter has a fill-in matching activity, some "animal fun facts," and a writing exercise about zookeepers. A secondary purchase at best.—Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
“‘Twas the day before Zoo Day, when all round the park, / the creatures felt restless and wished it were dark.” In this playful take on the popular Christmas verse, the zoo animals and their keepers prepare for a schoolkids’ visit. On each double-page spread, a nonsense rhyme and a bright, colorful, comic illustration pictures the excitement as the animals get ready for their visitors. Two zookeepers feed their charges and encourage them all to behave: “The trainers begged llamas to please be polite / Don’t go round spitting. It’s just not all right.” Along with the nonsense and the action, there are animal facts, and back matter includes additional information for adults and kids to talk about together. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

Review
Children will love this story for its bold colors and familiar meter. Parents and educators will enjoy using the educational materials, which include a picture-word matching exercise, animal fun facts table, a zookeeper fact sheet and an online supplement. --ForeWord Magazine

Hang on for a ride, parents. This book is a giggler, and you'll have to fight to keep from laughing out loud while you're reading it and you'll be interrupted by the children's laughter while you're reading it to them. But that's a good thing! --Armchair Interviews

The rhythmic text makes for a great read aloud, and the children will laugh out loud more than once, especially at Ben Hodson's vivid illustrations of the animals with hilarious facial expressions. If you have a child who loves animals, this would be an excellent choice. --The Well-Read Child

Customer Reviews

A super kids' book
Catherine Ipcizade's 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day is a clever adaptation of the classic, `Twas the Night Before Christmas, complete with rhyme. Hang on for a ride, parents. This book is a `giggler,' and you'll have to fight to keep from laughing out loud while you're reading it-and you'll be interrupted by the children's laughter while you're reading it to them. But that's a good thing.

Every person and every animal is getting ready for Zoo Day, but there isn't much that's going the way it should. The animals are not cooperating. Whew! Perhaps when Zoo Day arrives the llamas won't spit, the giraffes won't drool or burp, the elephants won't roll in the dirt and soak everyone with trunks filled with water, and the zebras will finally be satisfied with their stripes. But even then, there are so many more animals in the zoo and other things might happen. Will Zoo Day be successful? You'll just have to read the book to see! I'd watch those pesky monkeys though.

`Twas the Day Before Zoo Day is destined to be a child's favorite with the comical telling of the story and the fun illustrations. The added attraction is the activities and animal fun facts at the back of the book

Armchair Interviews says: Boys and girls will love `Twas the Day Before Zoo Day.

Great kids book.
I have always found it difficult to encourage little boys to read as it can be difficult to find subject matter they find interesting. This book hit the spot.

It is very cleverly written as a spin on "Twas the night before Christmas," with lots of humor and wonderful creatures to admire. What child doesn't delight in the discussion of spitting, burping, and being naughty.

A sure winner.

Behind The Scenes At The Zoo
What happens to animals in the zoo when there are no people there to observe them? This engrossing book by author Catherine Ipcizade takes us behind the scenes at the zoo the day before people arrive. The text is in humorous and informative verse depicting varying animals' behavior and habits. You meet monkeys, rhinos, llamas, lions, alligators, and elephants, to name a few.

Ben Hodson's illustrations are a delight as he adds extra touches and more fun. Watch each zookeeper's shoulders for their pets and the pets' antics! The creative pages at the end of the book add even more information, questions to answer, and a matching activity. Wouldn't it be fun for a classroom to playact the different jobs people can have at a zoo? Likewise, children at home will enjoy mimicking the animals or just curling up reading the book either by themselves or with mom and dad. A must have for a home or classroom library for ages 3 - 7.