What Do They Do with All That Poo?

by Jane Kurtz, Allison Black (Illustrator)

Find out what happens to all of the poo at the zoo in this funny and factual picture book!

There are so many different kinds of animals at the zoo, and they each make lots and lots (and sometimes LOTS!) of poo. So what do zoos do with all of that poo? This zany, fact-filled romp explores zoo poo, from cube-shaped wombat poo to white hyena scat, and all of the places it ends up, including in science labs and elephant-poo paper—even backyard gardens!

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Childrens, Nature, Stem

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 19, 2018

About the author

Jane Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, but when she was two years old, her parents moved to Ethiopia. Jane grew up in Maji, a small town in the southwest corner of the country.
Since there were no televisions, radios, or movies, her memories are of climbing mountains, wading in rivers by the waterfalls, listening to stories, and making up her own stories, which she and her sisters acted out for days at a time.


That love of nature has recently inspired her to write books about loving the Earth--such as WHAT DO THEY DO WITH ALL THAT POO? and PLANET JUPITER.

Jane has published more than 40 books, fiction, nonfiction, picture books, novels for young readers, and ready-to-reads. Some are based on her childhood in Ethiopia. Some draw on her own children, such as ANNA WAS HERE, a novel for young readers that asks life's big questions about pain and disaster--and offers a few puny answers.

Since her childhood in Ethiopia, Jane has lived in Illinois, Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas and--now--back in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have kids, poo books are just all the rage, right? But it's more fun as the reader when the facts you learn are fascinating. Who knew poo books could teach so much? The 4 year old always giggles about learning about bats having to turn right side up at night so they don't poo on themselves. And now we'll be checking out the local zoo to see if they sell Elephant Poo Paper, because who wouldn't want some of that? :) And of course, we had to google wombat poo after reading so we could see it for ourselves.
Of all the poop books I've picked up to read (because of course my boys will love them), this has been my favorite so far.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved all of the facts in this book! I can totally picture reading this with my nephews and having them laugh their heads off and also learn a bunch. The only problem is the answer to the title question is anti-climactic and also a little unclear (weirdly). I feel like this book's strength isn't the answer to the title question but instead the cool facts about each animal throughout.

Also, I'm not sure how much of a problem this is for most children's science books, but I fear this can become outdated quickly with sentences like "it's a mystery that scientists are trying to figure out." Maybe that doesn't matter.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the book I never knew I wanted. A Nat Geo book on poo.

I now wish for an audio version narrated by Marlon Perkins or Jack Hannah or Steve Irwin.

[✨Arline✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Rhymes. And has lots of info about animal poo.
Setting aside ethical issues with zoos, it was a good read.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually one of the most interesting books I've read in a long, long time. Who knew that wombat poo is cubical? Who knew about wombat poo?
If you get paper from me for Christmas, you might consider the source.

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I love this non-fiction children's book about poo so much?

No, I'm asking--please explain it to me. WHY?

[Debi Cates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, now that I think about it, what do they do with all that poo?

Read this at the library with the littlest Little (age 7). I'm not sure we learned a whole lot about what they did with the poo (mostly sell it as fertilizer) but we did learn a LOT about zoo poo. (Hyena's poo is all white, from the bones they eat, ewww. AND wombats' poo is cube shaped, whaaaa?)

Weirdly, it was a lot of fun.

And, even more weirdly, this Granny wished that besides illustrations, they had included photos too. I mean, come on, we want to see a pic of that wombat poo.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

I've put it off long enough. Time to review this truth telling book. It is exactly what you'd think it is, a book about by-products of life - animal life. And it hit the spot of the kids who were listening - they are very pragmatic and interested in cycles, so it was only a matter of time before we picked up this topic. Truly they already knew a lot of it.

What we didn't appreciate is how much of it there is, and how much effort, strength and infrastructure it takes to keep the heaps moving along to their assigned next steps. And, to keep that moving, there are so many humans gainly employed in that honorable work - keeping our world clean and orderly, and disease free. Humans and animals and the eco-system as a whole benefits.

We Thank you for your service!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the subject of this book is rather gross, it's also a fact of life. And the title question is a good one. I have to admit that when I heard the title for the first time, I was both grossed out and intrigued. Grossed out for obvious reasons. Intrigued because I was curious to know the answer. And I think that at least some young readers are bound to be intrigued as well. And since the book is nonfiction it treats the subject matter in a straight-forward, down-to-earth manner. The book starts by talking about the waste produced by a variety of different zoo animals, such as pandas, giraffe's, hippos, and sloths. Each page has a basic statement about that animals and it's poo, followed by additional information at the bottom of the page. The second part of the book covers the various ways that zoos dispose of the large amount of waste they collect on a daily basis. I found it interesting. And the illustrations are bright and cheerful and not too graphic. An interesting book on a fascinating if disgusting topic.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read about the different kinds of poop zoo animals have and the various ways they are used afterwards.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot I like about this book. First off, the illustrations are nice (even when they are picturing poo). It kind of reminds me of Curious George.

Secondly, they have two sizes of fonts of each page. The bigger font with a contrasting color is short and rhymes. This makes it great to read to younger children who might not sit through a lot text. The smaller text at the bottom, which is a different shade of the background, blends in more with the page but not enough that it is hard to read. The paragraphs in this font provide very interesting facts, which makes this a book that is interesting and engaging for many different age groups.

Thirdly, its funny and provides a lot of interesting information.

I am going to be recommending this one to many, many people.

[Amanda]

This book is fascinating and disgusting. The Victorian in me has never wondered what zoos do with animal waste. I would have never picked this book off the shelf; I only read it because it was required. But on the other hand, did you know that they make paper out of elephant waste? I know what I'm getting next time I need a gag gift. I predict that kids will love this book.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great informative book about animal poo. Answers questions like: why is hyena's poop white? Do lions hide their poo like domestic cats? What animal has square poo? And of course, what do zoo's do with all that poo? Sure to be a hit with elementary-age students.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicolette (8) loved this one. Big Bro Braedon (14) read it aloud. We’ve used elephant poo paper before (Colorado Spring zoo!) and I bought sheep’s poo bookmarks and wrapping paper in Wales, UK. Amazing how it can be recycled. Weird that hyenas eat so many bones their poo is often white!

[Yamile Méndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! I love dit soooo much!

[Hayley DeRoche · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars based purely on my kids' reaction. (OK, also cute illustrations, and not-too-cloying rhymes along with factual bits that don't drag, a key yet stubbornly difficult balance to strike in J-NF!)

[Laure Hershman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids loved this book, learned some cool stuff too!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly interesting book about animal poo at zoos. I now know more than I needed to about different kinds of poo. And I want to find some composted elephant poo for my garden!

[Rachel Stine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was deeply disappointed to learn that panda poo is not orange. Judy Blume lied to me!

[Leah]

Very informative. I feel better about my level of poo knowledge now :)

[Mrs. Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational, even I learned a few new facts. My 6yr old nephew enjoyed listening to me read it.

[Stephanie Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational, I'm glad scientists are looking into ways to use all that poo.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is What Do They Do With All That Poo?, written by Jane Kurtz and illustrated by Allison Black, a wild and wonderful look at zoo animals’ poo.

There are lots and lots of animals at the zoo, and they have lots and lots to eat. And well, you know what comes next – they poo! There are as many types of poop as there are different animals: small and hard, big and stinky, even cube-shaped! But what do zoos do with all that manure? The answers just might surprise you!

Well, that is definitely a subject I haven’t seen in a picture book before, but honestly? It was really cool! The friendly, colorful illustrations keep things bright and innocuous, and the bouncy rhyming text is informative and entertaining. What’s great is the way the book destigmatizes scat, showing kids that science is everywhere, and offers some truly fascinating looks into zoo animals’ biology, their behavior, and the science of scat. JJ loved the adorable animals, and the length was great. The ending is a little abrupt, but I can see this being a fun read for young science and/or animals lovers, even a potty-training aide! Informative and unique, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by a representative of the author in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Sonu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good informative book for kids and adults.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm babysitting my nieces tonight and it is the eldest turn to choose the book and she chosen this one. What Do They Do with All That Poo? is a children's picture book written by Jane Kurtz and illustrated by Allison Black. It is a book about a zoo and how all the different type of animals – well poop. However, more importantly, what they do with it.

Levine's text is rather straightforward, humorous, and almost poetic. The main text, which is directed to younger children are simple rhymes on how different animals defecate – I never knew wombats have cube-shaped excrement and now it's something I have to witness. The lighter text is more directed to older children as it is often more factual and enhance their knowledge in the area of number two. Black's illustration is rather cartoonish; while I normally dislike this style – this is the type of book, I do not want realistic illustrations.

The premise of the book is rather simplistic and straightforward. It shows how different animals defecate in a zoo and the different type of defecation that they create. It also shows what they do with all that defecation and I was quite surprised at what they do with it – some of it is logical, while others I found rather surprising. In all my life I have never heard of elephant poo-paper and now I want nothing more to just see it – not sure if I want to use it.

All in all, What Do They Do with All That Poo? is a wonderful and hilarious children's book about a defecation and what they use that defecation for in a wonderfully educational children's book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

#partner #blueslipmedia

What Do They Do With All That Poo?

Written by Jane Kurtz @writerjanie

Illustrated by Allison Black @alisonblackillustration

Published by Beach Lane Books @simonkids

Thank you to #blueslipmedia for sharing a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I never thought I’d be reviewing a book with poo in the title, but after reading this nonfiction book I’m so happy I agreed to do just that! I can imagine reading this during a storytime to 4-7 year olds. The kids won’t be able to stop laughing once they hear the title! But once I settle them down and really begin the story, they will be totally absorbed. The children will learn about the different animal diets, as well as how the animals use their poo in the wild. They will learn about what zoos do to handle the poop, and the many ways it can be used to help the world.

Allison Black’s darling illustrations of different zoo animals jump off every page. Be sure and notice the expressions on their faces, and especially their eyes. Every single friendly animal face gives the reader the idea that mischief is about to happen at any moment!

This is a book that will be enjoyed at home over and over again, but it’s also a book that is a perfect one to be used in classrooms or with families to prepare for a trip to the zoo. It’s a must buy for every library!

[Cindy Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Do They Do With All That Poo? by Jane Kurtz taps into the fascination most kids have with the concept that everything poops. On a tour of zoo animals Kurtz sneaks in education about what animals eat and how that affects the waste that comes out of their bodies.

For instance, “a penguin shoots its poo out in a fishy-smelling streak.” Since penguins don’t have teeth, “fish go through them fairly rapidly.” Kids learn about hippos using dung to mark their territory, wombats pooping cube shapes, snakes that only poop once a year, why panda poo doesn’t stink, and more. They also learn about how zoos handle the waste. Lots of it get trucked away. Some goes to research. Some gets turned into compost or even paper and sold to people who want to use it.

Allison Black’s illustrations are cute and whimsical, showing happy animals smiling while they do what every living thing does. What Do They Do With All That Poo? is sure to prompt lots of laughter while encouraging parent-child conversations about bodily functions, zoo animals, and the role of waste in nature.

The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone working with children and books knows that the rather naughty subjects of poop, peeing and farting are some of the most popular. In this book, science is mixed in as well, showing what zoos do with all of the animal poop they have. First the book explains what poo is, then moves into showing different types of animal poop like giraffe, panda, hippo and elephant. The book then goes on to explain that most of the poop heads to landfills after being loaded into trucks. Some poop goes to labs for scientists to examine. Some is made into compost for gardens. And interestingly, sometimes paper is made from elephant poo!

Kurtz explains in a matter-of-fact way the various animals and how they poo and then handle their poop. The hippo splattering its poop around is gross but interesting, something that basically sums up this book. Kurtz doesn’t shy away from the grosser parts, but also keeps her focus on facts and science in the book. The illustrations are bright and friendly, despite all of the poop on the pages. Animals are shown in their zoo habitats and then their poop is also shown with them.

An interesting and scientific look at poos in zoos. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

How excited I was to WIN THIS BOOK from Unleashing Readers, last month! This book is basically what the title says. It starts out introducing various sizes, shapes, and colors of animal poo. Then it goes on to explain what zoos can do with the poo, ranging from sending it to landfills, to having it scientifically studied, to using it as compost. The pages are full of bright-eyed animals, pooing in their zoo-made habitats, with lots of scientific information on what animals eat and how their poo is unique. I didn’t see a note on how the artwork was created, but it’s quite bold and colorful. My children were excited to see this book and started grinning as soon as I began reading the first pages. I’m certain this will be a much-loved book in homes and libraries, everywhere. For more on this book, please visit my book review blog, The Miller Memo.