Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. Zoo enthusiasts will welcome this behind-the-scenes look at the way a zoo works. Morning brings an influx of workers whose jobs range from sweeping the walks to readying the food and setting out the souvenirs. But it is the animal keepers who bear the brunt of the responsibility. Each keeper usually cares for one particular animal, washing and cleaning the exhibit areas, preparing the food, and feeding the charges. There's excitement when a baby cheetah is born (monitored through a TV); some babies are born in special nurseries, where they are raised until they are old enough to go to the exhibit areas. Besides providing information about the people who work in zoos, Gibbons touches upon the animal exhibits, the children's zoo, and the zoo hospital. She packs a great deal of information into the text, and her busy, brightly colored illustrations extend it. An enjoyable read before or after a visit to the zoo. IC. 590.74 Zoos [CIP] 87-582
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Gibbons, an established creator of award-winning nonfiction, now turns her attention to zoos. In her familiar style, combining very simple line drawings, bold colors and an informative narrative, she leads youngsters through an entire day at a large zoo. She includes all sorts of workers: maintenance, food service, keepers, veterinarians and security guards. Unfortunately, this entry is less successful than earlier books. The narrative is informative but neither terribly lively nor exciting. The problem might be in the limitations of her graphic style when paired with this topic. The brilliant details and hues of her machinery and landscapes don't translate as well to her animalsthey lack vitality and interest. Workmanlike, quite useful, but not a first choice. Ages 4-8. (September) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2 Before the zoo opens to the public each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers files through the gates early in the morning to perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in to enjoy the animals in their as-natural-as- possible settings and to play in the special Children's Zoo. A multi-ethnic group of women and men are shown preparing spe cial diets, sluicing out cages, checking on their animal charges, tidying the grounds, selling food and souveniers, and con structing a new exhibit. Male and female veterinarians tend an elephant with a stomachache and a lion with a painful tooth. The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative. This interesting look behind the zoo scenes is illustrated in Gibbons' usual flat, simple, clearly-de fined style in the very bright colors so ap pealing to young children. Patricia Pearl, First Presbyterian School, Mar tinsville, Va. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A colorfully illustrated, straightforward behind-the-scenes portrait of a large zoo. Before visitors arrive, a corps of workers clean and sweep, set up shop, and look after the animals; other personnel feed the animals, look after their medical and dental needs, and tend to the births of the young. At the end of the day, most of the workers go home, leaving a night guard. Gibbons' prose is clear and precise and her pictures, which employ large blocks of bright colors contained by simple line drawings, are correspondingly plain and informative. Unfortunately, the overall effect is somewhat dull. This is the perfect book for the kid who comes to the library looking for a book on how the zoo works, or for children who are interested in work and the variety of jobs people do; but it isn't likely to arrest anyone's imagination on its own merits. This makes a fine addition to Gibbons' series about how things work, but its intrinsic appeal is limited. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
