View at the Zoo

by Kathleen Long Bostrom

In this humorous twist on a visit to the zoo, just who has the more interesting view? As morning dawns, the zookeeper makes his rounds, exhorting the animals to wake up, comb their hair, and stand up straight. Soon their human visitors arrive, and the observations begin to flow: My, what silly things they do, all these creatures at the zoo. Walking on all kinds of feet, dancing to an inner beat. Babies riding on their backs, on their bellies, snug in sacks. Hear the silly sounds they speak, as they howl and squawk and shriek! But just who is talking about whom? With a clever twist of text and bright and festive illustrations, this picture book will have children begging for a trip to the zoo. Ages 4-8.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Kathleen Long Bostrom is a full-time writer who lives in Carlsbad, California, with her husband and little dog, Sophie Grace. She served as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 30 years but now focuses on her writing. She has published over fifty books, most of them for children. Her books are published in 30 languages around the world, with well over two-million copies sold since her first book, What is God Like?" was published in 2008.

Two of her books—Stories from the Bible, and Since the Baby Came (2023), received first place honors from the Northern Lights Book Award. Her book, "Who is Jesus?" was a finalist for the 2000 Gold Medallion Award, awarded to the outstanding books in Christian publishing,."What About Heaven?" was nominated for the People's Choice Award. She is included in a 2003 and 2021 edition of "Something About the Author" and "Contemporary Authors," two of the premiere reference sources for information on children's authors.

Kathy is the recipient of the 2014 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award, the highest award for writing awarded by the Presbyterian Church. She was named the Distinguished Alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary in 2013, most because of her books for children. Over the years, she won awards for preaching and is often requested to speak for groups at the national level. She has published numerous articles in various journals and newspapers as well.

Kathy served on the board of the Presbyterian Writers Guild and served two terms as president. She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and The Authors Guild. She earned a master of arts in Christian education and a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and a doctor of ministry in preaching degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Kathy and Greg have three children: Christopher, Amy, and David, all living in LA and in the film business.

Reviews

[Ellie Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did an excellent job of taking the reader through a tour of the Zoo! The book highlights many animals commonly found at a zoo and briefly explains some habits of the animals to educate the reader. I appreciate that the book is simple and easy to follow for young students while still engaging young minds in fun and silly concepts. I would recommend this book to young readers as it combines educational concepts and silly activities in a fun pairing!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book presents a subtle message in the illustrations. Readers should pay attention and notice that the text seems to describe what the people see, but it is actually presenting the animal point of view.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the ending, the point of view of the animals....we are the zoo...funny..krb 6/28/17

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute twist at the end.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is really watching who at the zoo? The books illustrations draw the reader into a new view, where the animals are watching the humans.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny preschool and up book about the animals at the zoo observing the humans.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super adorable story with wonderful illustrations. It was a great story and lots of fun to read!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do animals wake up every morning at the zoo? Do they have alarm clocks? No, not at all. What these animals have is a feisty caretaker who wakes up all the sleepy critters with a yelp. People and animals look at each other with curious observations. Families visiting at the zoo, smiling and having fun. This wonderful rhyming story has a great twist about visiting a zoo from the visitors and animals point of view. The silly illustrations fill the pages with lots of fun characters. Kids and parents will be able to discuss openly about what they see. Young readers will love talking about all the animals. Learning the names and sounds they make is fun too. This is an excellent book for any library.

[Amanda Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The View at the Zoo is a clever little story about the how zoo animals look at the people entering the looking at the zoo. Each page has very few words on it, making it a quick and easy read for early elementary. This story would make a good read aloud at the beginning or end of a zoo field trip for younger students. The book could also be used to talk about different points of view for 2nd or 3rd grade.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who has the better view at the zoo: the visitors or the residents? This book is such a fun read. I read it once with my four year old from the people point of view and then again from the animal point of view. And my son loved looking for the monkey with the zoo-keeper's hat on each page. Fabulous illustrations. Two thumbs up!

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a bit of a clunky rhyme scheme for reading aloud, this animal picture book will entertain children. Not only is it fun to look at all the animals in the zoo, the author plays on words that are mirrored what the people are doing in the illustrations - not the animals. While this one might not work as well with a group, a close-up reading will provide lots of fun and observations.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book full of bold, beautiful illustrations. I love the fact that it includes a wide variety of animals! My toddler loves looking for the monkey with the zoo keepers hat on every page. At first glance, you think the author is describing the people looking at the animals, but you quickly learn that it's a fun take from the animal's point of view.

[Ahmet B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great creation by 'Kathleen Long Bostrom'. I had trouble reading when I was in Primary School but after reading this fantastic book, I was able to speed up the pace and understood better. Definitely will recommend this to anyone who has trouble reading. Also, this book has helped many of students from overseas speak English without the foreign accent.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have some fun with this by asking the little ones you're sharing it with what sounds the animals make. Go ahead and get on your feet to do some animal actions such as, "Pink flamingos--on your toes!" The sneaky secret of this story is that the animals are watching the humans! (You can SING this to the tune "Papa Haydn".

[Tasia Giannola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. It is full of exciting narration as the zookeeper gets everyone up for the day. The illustrations were nice too. My son did hold interest in the book because it featured all his favorite zoo animals. For me, it is a plot line I've read in a few other zoo books. I thought it could be a little more unique, but 2.5 year-olds are not that picky.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a trip to the zoo and see what the animals see! Lots of fun, good basic story, but best for small group sharing so kids can look closely at the illustrations. I enjoyed the people/animal parallel.

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this clever picture book presents a subtle message in the illustrations - readers paying attention will notice that the text seems to describe what the people see, but it is actually presenting the animal point of view. Would be fun with early elementary school ages.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations and a simple rhyming text outline a fun day at the zoo. The animals enjoy watching the people visiting the zoo as much as the visitors enjoy watching them! A perfect read before or after a trip to the zoo.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations and rhyming text provide a glimpse of a day at the zoo as experienced by the animals that live there. Although the reader might think it is from the perspective of the visitors of the zoo.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny look at zoos. Look closely at the illustrations for the "hidden story".

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're doing a "zoo theme", this rhyming book gives the fun twist that the animals find us as entertaining as we find them.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute zoo book, would be fun for storytime, though kids would have a difficult time grasping the idea that the animals and people are doing parallel things.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations, interesting twist at the end

[Brian Barlics · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever story and very effective illustrations. Love the concept. Who is really watching who when you go to the zoo? Love the book. It's a must have in my opinion.

[Zaire Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son absolutely loves this book.

[Mommywest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book about visiting the animals in the zoo...from the animals' point of view!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, bright, detailed illustrations show the animals and the people observing the same things about each other in this silly visit to the zoo.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very silly! Good for a re-read too, as the first time I was looking at the animals and then near the end realized I should have been watching the people as well.

[Mort's Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

[Aisha Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book with a surprise ending. We loved searching for the monkey in the illustrations on every page.