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Class... #2

Class Two at the Zoo by Julia Jarman

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It's a field trip to the zoo! The teacher and students see parrots squabbling and cheetahs running. What they don?t see is the crafty anaconda that slithers out of its pond. . . One by one, the students and teachers are gobbled up by the sneaky snake. That is, until one little girl catches the snake in action. Can she save the day?

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

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118 people want to read

About the author

Julia Jarman

161 books47 followers
Julia Jarman is a British author of books for children of all reading ages and ability.

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5 stars
69 (28%)
4 stars
76 (31%)
3 stars
77 (31%)
2 stars
14 (5%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
12 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2011
As I was reading this book silently to myself about halfway through it I found myself reading the book aloud. This doesn’t usually happen to me when reading, but Jarman has written this book in a way that has to be read aloud. The rhyming sentences would be perfectly suited to reading to a school class, as I can just imagine every child being on the edge of their seats and hanging off every word.

The story revolves around a year 2 class that take a school trip to the zoo. They gaze in wonder at the giraffes, the hippos and the gorillas, but don’t notice a huge anaconda. It sneaks up on the class and eats them one by one. After eating most of the class and the teacher Molly hatches a plan to save them all. This book is great to read but the message is clear. When out in public don’t wander off and make sure you are aware of the dangers around you, especially if you are in a zoo and you see the anaconda is no longer in its cage!
Profile Image for Lee Peckover.
201 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2017
Read with my year 1 class today as Julia Jarman is visiting our school soon. This went down quite well. Children liked the pictures but did not enjoy this quite as much as some other books they have read recently.

'I like how it rhymes'
'They look gross after the snake bit'
'It isn't as good as The Lion Inside but they both rhyme'

Using our whole class rating system, this received 21/30 thumbs up. Not bad, but we've read better!
151 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2019
This picture book inspired by the children of Sturminster Marshall in Dorset is ingeniously clever. For children at Letters & Sounds Phonics stages 5, 6 or beyond, this apparently simple, yet cautionary tale of a school class' trip to the zoo could work wonders: we are presented on every double-page with an unbelievably extensive selection of word pairs that rhyme, yet are never spelled the same way. In many cases, third and fourth different spellings for the same sound are also offered, all without the amusing story breaking stride or relevance. The giraffe has a laugh; the anaconda goes for a wander; then the greedy creature eats the teacher as pupils at the zoo are consumed two by two. Julia Jarman also deviously includes pairs of words which (for many dialects of English) do not rhyme - 'mud' and 'pud' are presented, along with 'ponder' and 'wonder' among others: there are constant tests for sounding out and remembering tricky words which would challenge even the most confident of young readers, yet simultaneously provide a memorable means of recalling awkward spellings for less confident children. The supportive pictures offer further scaffolding for children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Pupils further advanced in English may also note the use of alliteration: a koala kisses a kangaroo, parrots are squabbling in the sky, and the anaconda slides from the water and starts to wander. Perhaps there is even an in-joke for teachers: after all, for most practitioners completing pre-trip risk assessments, children being eaten by a snake would not be a desirable eventuality! Of course, this message could be directed at children too to encourage them to remain focussed on their surroundings and stay safe - beware of the anaconda!
12 reviews
July 5, 2012
Julia was born in March in 1948. She studied English and Drama at Manchester University and became a qualified teacher.
She is a British author of books for children of all reading ages and ability. Her first book was published in 1985 “When Poppy Ran Away”.
This is a story about a teacher bringing her class two to the zoo. The children are so wrapped up in looking at “hippos hopping in the mud” and “monkeys eating chocolate pud” that they don’t realise the anaconda is following them and gobbling up their classmates one by one and then their class teacher. Molly acts quickly and gets a stick and puts it in between the monsters jaws and rescues the teacher and the rest of her class. They leave the zoo and the teacher says “Let this be a terrible warning for you! When you go on a safari or visit a zoo keep your eyes open whatever you do”.

This is a picture book with the story told in the third person narration. It is a funny rhyming story with a happy ending.
It's an entertaining book and every teacher’s worst nightmare of loosing children at the zoo. It would be a great bedtime read for younger children. The illustrations are very good and detailed.
NLS Links Class reading for KS1, Ages 4-8
Cross-curricular Links Art and Design- painting pictures
Maths- counting the animals and children.
7 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2012
This is a story about a teacher bringing her class two to the zoo. The children are so wrapped up on looking at “hippos hoping in the mud” and “monkeys eating chocolate pud” that they don’t realise the anaconda is following them and gobbling up their classmates one by one and then their class teacher. Molly acts quickly and gets a stick and put it in between the monsters jaws and rescues the teacher and the rest of her class. They leave the zoo and the teacher says “Let this be a terrible warning for you! When you go on a safari or visit a zoo keep your eyes open whatever you do”.
This is a picture book. The story is told in the third person narration. A funny rhyming story with a happy ending. It's an entertaining book, every teacher’s worst nightmare of loosing children at the zoo. It would be a great bedtime read for younger children, illustrations are very good and detailed. Class reading for KS1. Jasper is determined to grow a beanstalk. He plants a bean and tends to it carefully each day. Finally, he gets fed up of waiting for it to grow so he digs up the bean and throws it away.
40 reviews1 follower
Read
March 3, 2010
Class two goes on a field trip to the zoo. Little do they know that an anaconda is watching their class just ready to gobble them all up.

The author and illustrator really worked together to make this book an entire experience. The text is not written in straight lines. The text actually follows the movement of an actual snake slithering around. The illustrator brings color, detail and excitement to every single page. The shape of the snake changes when a child is swallowed. The reader can actually see the shape of a child trying to get out of the snake. When the snake is about to swallow two little girls the illustrator used an entire two page spread to show the mouth wide open like a cave. Not only do the children get out ok but the illustrator adds in snake spit dripping from the children. On those pages the illustrator divides the page in half using different colors for each half.
39 reviews
Read
October 5, 2009
The cover of this book sets up the story and provides a perfect opportunity to ask student’s what they think will happen at the zoo and if they think Class Two will have a good experience. The illustrations of the book really set up the feeling of chaos in the story. The illustrator uses font and placement of text to move the reader and illustrate what is happening. The text jumps and moves through the story and gets bigger as the noise gets bigger. The illustrator also sets the mood through expression of characters and how they are reacting.
Profile Image for Lana Hoffman.
39 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2008
A class field trip to the zoo turns scarey when an Anaconda is on the loose.
This book is very clever. I think that children in kindergarten and first grade will love the illustrations. The rhymes in the book make it a fun read. In kindergarten we teach children how to recognize rhyming words and this would be a great book to use when helping them master that skill. It's a silly story that will have the class laughing out loud.
88 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2012
Make a list of all the rhyming words in the book.

Look for examples of alliteration, e.g. 'koala kissing a kangaroo'. Can you make up your own alliterative sentences featuring animals, e.g. 'dogs dancing daintily with deer.

Rewrite the story from the anaconda's point of view.

Find all of the words used to describe how the anaconda eats the children: gulp down, make a meal of...

Create a new story from another characters point of view
Profile Image for Rita.
375 reviews7 followers
January 31, 2008
The author seems to force some of the rhymes. The snake eating the children will most likely scare younger ones who are already afraid of snakes. It might be funny to share with 1st or 2nd graders going to the zoo. It will remind them that they should pay close attention to everything around them when they are on a field trip.




Profile Image for Susan.
Author 2 books7 followers
September 22, 2008
If you were looking for a rollicking rhyming, totally good-timing (okay, I'll stop) book to read to first and second graders, you couldn't go wrong with this pick. Would be especially fun after a visit to the zoo (trips to the Bronx zoo are de rigeur here in Westchester County - you haven't lived until you have shepherded a clutch of first graders in the pouring rain through the Bronx zoo).
Profile Image for Joenna.
633 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2008
A cute rhyming book about a class trip to the zoo. The kids see lots of animals but don't see the anaconda slip from it's home. The snake starts eating everyone! It's up to one student to open the jaws and go inside to save all the other students. Great for read aloud! Although snakes eating people may not be for everyone!
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book672 followers
August 15, 2009
Funny, rhyming story about a class being stalked by an anaconda at the zoo. Not sure that I like that it shows a snake escaping his pen and terrorizing a class, but it is funny. Probably not good for kids who are easily scared. We enjoyed reading it together a couple of times, but we talked about what was realistic and what was not.
Profile Image for Ashley.
55 reviews
September 5, 2011
2007 - Fantasy. This book is about a class who visits the zoo. They are paying attention to all other animals except the anaconda. While they are not paying attention, the anaconda preceeds to eat almost the entire class. This book is very funny. Lynne Chapman did an outstanding job with the pictures.
Profile Image for Molly.
1,468 reviews14 followers
December 10, 2007
With a heroine named Molly how can you go wrong?!?!

The rhyming text describes a school trip to the local zoo. Everything is going fine, until the students and even the teacher are swallowed up by a giant snake!
Profile Image for Nicole.
496 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2013
I checked out the version with book & audio at the library. Carmen got into turning the page when it chimed! The story was so cute I took it to school & read it to my kindergarten classes. Carmen enjoyed the messy kids at the end, "Eww! Yucky!"
Profile Image for jacky.
3,496 reviews92 followers
May 3, 2011
Funny story about a field trip to the zoo. Well, probably funny. A big snake eats about half the class, so if you have sensitive child, or one that is already afraid of snakes, this is not a good pick. Otherwise, its fun because the kids are saved and there is nice word play.
368 reviews
May 25, 2011
Oh man, we got this book out of the library and I so want to buy it! Class two go to the zoo and get eaten by an anaconda. Ruth just loved it and wanted it read over and over and over and... It rhymes too so big thumbs up for this one!
Profile Image for Amy.
83 reviews
February 19, 2013
This was a cute book for Storytime. I was a little worried at the beginning of the book as the Anaconda starting eating the children. Thank goodness for Molly and her quick thinking which enabled her to rescue all of her fellow classmates.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rosa Mackenzie.
2 reviews
September 21, 2015
Cute animation and rhymes. Did not like storyline at all. Maybe my kids of 2 and 4 too young to hear about large snakes devouring a couple of children on a school outing. Possibly more suited to older children.
Profile Image for Jenni.
44 reviews2 followers
August 15, 2008
Look behind you when you go to the zoo!
Profile Image for Martha.
383 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2009
Fun rhyming picture book about a snake that begins to eat Class 2 at the zoo. Nice illustrations. Rhyming text.
Profile Image for Merrilee.
Author 2 books8 followers
June 4, 2010
My son adores this book, and we both enjoy reading it to him. A good combination of fun rhyme, bright illustrations and identifiable objects to name.
Profile Image for Andrea.
236 reviews61 followers
June 24, 2010
My 3 year old loves this book and we have to read it every night. The rhyming is fun and the pictures are very cute. It's a great book!
Profile Image for Kathy.
18 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2010
I've been on the hunt for children's books that rhyme for a possible "rhyme time" themed program (I'm a Children's Librarian). The children will love this story along with the exciting art work!
Profile Image for Lizzy.
14 reviews
September 14, 2010
This is Lizzy's favorite book right now. She asks to read it every day. We checked it out from the library so many times that I finally just ordered her her own copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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