Put Me In the Zoo: A Book of Colors

Spot #1.5

by Robert Lopshire

Abridged. Illustrated in color.

Spot, a polka-dot leopard who can change colors and even juggle his own spots, tries to convince two children that he is special enough to be exhibited in the zoo.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books, Classics, Kids, Animals

24 pages, Board book

Published November 27, 2001

About the author

Robert Lopshire wrote and illustrated the Beginner Books Put Me in the Zoo, I Want to Be Somebody New!, and New Tracks I Can Do! He died in 2002.

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex got a bunch of these little board books for Christmas, so we finally have some new material to help us through our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten goal! This one is a favorite - love all the fun colors and the silly situations.

[SaraLaLa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reviews color names, includes rhyme, and has cute illlustrations. There is even a problem and solution here (main character wants to go to the zoo, but he gets kicked out. I won't spoil the ending for you, but there's an alternative solution).

My daughter enjoys hearing this book before bed, and I'm sure it'll be one of the books she'll be reading to herself as she gets older.

[Jay Gabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thing for the kids this book ends when it does, right when the friendly animal is about to join the circus.

[Aliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my firstborns favorites when he first started to explode in his love of books (18months). I remember that he would say "guard" to ask for this book because he loved the part where the Zoo guards threw the character out.
My son learned so many new words through our many repetitions of this book. Beyond guard, he also learned uniform, zoo, circus, and several colors. I was often delighted by his enthusiasm when he knew a certain part and would yell out the word.
Loved the simplicity of the story and it's predictable pattern. Great for tiny humans!

[Roni Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites from childhood, now a story we read to my little one!

[Voracious_reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for basic color education. Our daughter does know her colors. But, though she does love animals and the zoo, she doesn't really seem to respond much to the book. She's only about 20 months. Perhaps she'll like the book when she's older. I'll update if she does.

[Pita-eater · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the pared down version of the longer book "Put Me in the Zoo." It reads as though something is missing, which is true. I missed the part where it rains dots, for example, and the book ends rather abruptly. Oh well.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book from the Dr Seuss collection that focuses on different colors however very little focus is on the colors. Enjoyed by myself and of course my son and I am sure it will be read many times over.

[Mort's Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanting to be in the zoo seems like a pretty strange goal to me, but chase your dreams, friend.

(I seem to recall this being a better book. Sometimes they cut out pages on the board book versions and it makes for an inferior product.)

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A leopard-thingy who can change the color of his spots argues why he should be allowed to be in the zoo. Two kids convince him to join the circus instead (in a pretty quick turnaround, I might add). Not sure what the full version is like, but the board book is fun.

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Book that I loved as a child, and am now glad to read to my kids! My daughter loved this book and the changing colors of the creature. This book would be good for teaching kids their colors or practicing colors. And it’s fun, too!

[Sara]

June 2012

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't hold my 32 month old daughter's attention.
:-/ it didn't really win me over either.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic. And I only recently found out about the hidden character in the picture at the end!!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute colors book. Love the kids' facial expressions changing to be more welcoming and supportive of the differences.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that Teddy responded to- I think he likes the contrast of the spots!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite Suess books.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to finish 2020 reading challenge

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good 👍🏼

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

F checked this book out from the library and asked to read it several times. L liked it, too. It definitely feels old-fashioned, but in a charming way.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ITS JUST CUTE, OKAY??

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are good … rhyming could use some work. Honestly not worth spending the money on. But it’s an easy read for a small child to pay attention to or to use for teaching a child to read.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wildly popular through the years!

[Gideon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You made me read this book four times last night, and we probably would have read it four times more if I hadn't distracted you with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I love you -Mom

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fun to revisit some of the books that provided the spark to my love of books. This was a fun memorable read.