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Two at the Zoo
Counting is always more fun when Grandpa helps! From one black bear to ten hairy warthogs, the young narrator and his grandpa count their way through a colorful and sometimes unusual zoo, encountering a wide assortment of friendly animals along the way. There are lions, zebras, and penguins, of course, but also chameleons and eagles . . . and even tarantulas! Playful, quirky illustrations put the loving relationship between the youthful grandfather and the grandson on proud display, while an upbeat, rhymed text full of sparkling verb sounds invites even the youngest readers and listeners to participate.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 16, 2009
3 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Danna Smith
32 books63 followersWhen Danna was a child, her favorite “toy” was a pencil. Today, she is a poet and award-winning author of over twenty-five books for children. Danna lives in northern California with her husband, children, and grandchildren. For more information about her books and teaching activities, visit her website at www.dannadmithbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 17, 2021
A boy and his grandfather go to the zoo - and we go with then to learn Spanish! I know this may sound strange - but bilingual board books are really motivating me to learn Spanish. Guess we all have to start somewhere - so I will keep at it and hopefully it will pay off in the long run.
April 26, 2009
As a YA author I don't often shout about GREAT picture books, but there's a new one out that my favorite two-year-old keeps asking me to read over and over.
Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith (Author), Valeria Petrone (Illustrator) is a rhyming counting book about a grandfather taking his grandson to the zoo. The verse is so natural and fun to read it makes writing a picture book look easy (IMO picture books are actually the hardest genre to write!).
Today I went to a book signing by Danna Smith for Two at the Zoo and a local zoo had brought in a tarantula. Danna held the tarantula, its furry legs crawling across her gloved hand. Kids and adults snapped pictures and leaned close to look. Danna read her book and signed many copies. She was raised in a home where having snakes, skunks and deer around was normal. Her father still has hundreds of snakes and trains falcons. Writing about wild animals comes naturally to her--as does beautiful rhyming words.
Two at the Zoo would make a great Father's Day Gift as well as a wonderful read aloud to any child who loved animals and counting. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
March 8, 2018
Animal Story Time. Engaging pictures. Rhyming and Counting.
February 20, 2019
Phrases to describe Two at the Zoo: colorful, rhyming, cute illustrations. Nice storytime read, but the title led me to believe there would be more of a focus on the number two. The children still enjoyed it, though.
November 8, 2023
This probably would have been better with younger children. My 3yo liked it, but my 6yo was way too old for it. Even so, it wasn't a big hit with my younger one either. There are better counting books out there.
July 17, 2017
cute counting and rhyming book
August 13, 2018
Great counting book for children.
July 1, 2022
Counting creatures at the zoo with Grandpa
October 19, 2022
A nice counting book featuring a boy and his grandfather visiting the zoo and counting the animals they see. Cute with nice illustrations.
February 21, 2023
A fun zoo counting book.
June 2, 2024
Really cute. 22 month old enjoyed it greatly.
March 28, 2025
I love this book so much.
The illustrations: sweet.
The rhyme scheme: impeccable.
The counting and animal recognition: amazing.
The illustrations: sweet.
The rhyme scheme: impeccable.
The counting and animal recognition: amazing.
October 4, 2022
The Spanish and English lines are pretty different (in order to preserve the rhyme in both languages) and both really work. I find this one fun to read.
February 16, 2016
Title: Two at the Zoo: A Counting Book
Author: Danna Smith
Illustrator: Valeria Petrone
Genre: Counting Book
Theme(s): Zoo Animals, Grandfathers, Counting, Zoos
Opening Line/sentence:
I’m taking grandpa to the zoo. Two red tickets…let us through.
Brief Book Summary:
A little boy and his grandfather make a trip to the zoo to see all the animals. After buying tickets and getting matching hats, they proceed to see all the animals from gators to flamingoes. As they pass by each exhibit they count the number of animals all the way up to ten. Then after their long day they say goodbye to the animals and the train promising to return again another day.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature)
A young boy and his grandfather spend the day together at the zoo. The book’s cover and endpapers provide a foreshadowing of the animal to be encountered. During their visit to the zoological garden, they count the different animals. In this counting book from one to ten, there are rhythmic, rhyming verses that describe the boy’s adventure. Colorful, cartoon-like pictures capture the day at the zoo and the different animals that they count, starting from one bear all the way up to ten wart hogs. The facial expressions and physical gestures of the boy show his thoughts about the different animals. He imitates the parrots and lions. His wide smile shows his joy of the penguins frolicking in the water. While on the other hand, the spiders cause him to clutch his grandfather s leg with fear. However, both the grandfather and the grandson share a delightful day at the zoo with wishes to return again for another visit someday.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2009 (Vol. 77, No. 2))
Smith takes readers on a whirlwind trip to the zoo with a small boy and his grandpa. After buying matching safari hats, the duo makes the rounds of the animals, counting what they see. From parrots and penguins to eagles and wart hogs, the formula is the same: "Scaly lizards. Color tricks. / Licking, sticking / We count 6." To round out the day, grandpa and grandson have a hot dog and see the sea show. The train takes them back to the gate where they bid goodbye to the zoo and all its animals and promise to return another day. Petrone's digital gouache illustrations milk facial expressions for all they're worth on all the characters, human and animal alike, masterfully capturing the antics of a young boy imitating the animals he sees. While this is not a standout in the overcrowded counting-book genre, there are many elements that make it a great read-aloud for library groups. The rollicking, rhyming text scans well, and the zoo setting allows children to practice their animal-identification skills.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews comment on the use of the boy’s facial expressions to capture the excitement of going to the zoo and mimicking all the animals. While I agree with them in the fact that the plot line and the counting of the animals in this story is certainly not unique among counting books, however I do think the vibrant colors and dynamic between the boy and the animals makes up for the lack of originality. One of the reviews commented on how the same rhyme scheme throughout the book makes the book rhythmic and predictable. This encourages participation from the audience when read aloud.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The zoo setting of this book creates a mood of adventure, especially after the main characters buy safari hats. As Grandpa and the little boy go through the zoo the little boy is counting the animals almost as if alongside the reader and reacting to animals in a very realistic way: mimicking the expressions and animals’ reactions to him. The bright illustrations and rounded characteristics make this book targeted to younger children. Although the plot is not very dynamic as the character just passes by each animal, the story still helps children develop counting skills.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This story could be a good one to introduce counting with. It would be ideal for younger children such as preschoolers or kindergarteners and would serve nicely as a read aloud. After reading this book, a math activity could be created where the children could draw an animal in the zoo and write a poem about the animal and how many he or she saw. Also this story would lend well to addition activities where you could add lions with penguins to create number sentences. As a visual the students could create their own paper animals and the class could do an activity where all the animals are added up to equal how many kids are in the class.
Author: Danna Smith
Illustrator: Valeria Petrone
Genre: Counting Book
Theme(s): Zoo Animals, Grandfathers, Counting, Zoos
Opening Line/sentence:
I’m taking grandpa to the zoo. Two red tickets…let us through.
Brief Book Summary:
A little boy and his grandfather make a trip to the zoo to see all the animals. After buying tickets and getting matching hats, they proceed to see all the animals from gators to flamingoes. As they pass by each exhibit they count the number of animals all the way up to ten. Then after their long day they say goodbye to the animals and the train promising to return again another day.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature)
A young boy and his grandfather spend the day together at the zoo. The book’s cover and endpapers provide a foreshadowing of the animal to be encountered. During their visit to the zoological garden, they count the different animals. In this counting book from one to ten, there are rhythmic, rhyming verses that describe the boy’s adventure. Colorful, cartoon-like pictures capture the day at the zoo and the different animals that they count, starting from one bear all the way up to ten wart hogs. The facial expressions and physical gestures of the boy show his thoughts about the different animals. He imitates the parrots and lions. His wide smile shows his joy of the penguins frolicking in the water. While on the other hand, the spiders cause him to clutch his grandfather s leg with fear. However, both the grandfather and the grandson share a delightful day at the zoo with wishes to return again for another visit someday.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2009 (Vol. 77, No. 2))
Smith takes readers on a whirlwind trip to the zoo with a small boy and his grandpa. After buying matching safari hats, the duo makes the rounds of the animals, counting what they see. From parrots and penguins to eagles and wart hogs, the formula is the same: "Scaly lizards. Color tricks. / Licking, sticking / We count 6." To round out the day, grandpa and grandson have a hot dog and see the sea show. The train takes them back to the gate where they bid goodbye to the zoo and all its animals and promise to return another day. Petrone's digital gouache illustrations milk facial expressions for all they're worth on all the characters, human and animal alike, masterfully capturing the antics of a young boy imitating the animals he sees. While this is not a standout in the overcrowded counting-book genre, there are many elements that make it a great read-aloud for library groups. The rollicking, rhyming text scans well, and the zoo setting allows children to practice their animal-identification skills.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews comment on the use of the boy’s facial expressions to capture the excitement of going to the zoo and mimicking all the animals. While I agree with them in the fact that the plot line and the counting of the animals in this story is certainly not unique among counting books, however I do think the vibrant colors and dynamic between the boy and the animals makes up for the lack of originality. One of the reviews commented on how the same rhyme scheme throughout the book makes the book rhythmic and predictable. This encourages participation from the audience when read aloud.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The zoo setting of this book creates a mood of adventure, especially after the main characters buy safari hats. As Grandpa and the little boy go through the zoo the little boy is counting the animals almost as if alongside the reader and reacting to animals in a very realistic way: mimicking the expressions and animals’ reactions to him. The bright illustrations and rounded characteristics make this book targeted to younger children. Although the plot is not very dynamic as the character just passes by each animal, the story still helps children develop counting skills.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This story could be a good one to introduce counting with. It would be ideal for younger children such as preschoolers or kindergarteners and would serve nicely as a read aloud. After reading this book, a math activity could be created where the children could draw an animal in the zoo and write a poem about the animal and how many he or she saw. Also this story would lend well to addition activities where you could add lions with penguins to create number sentences. As a visual the students could create their own paper animals and the class could do an activity where all the animals are added up to equal how many kids are in the class.
March 9, 2017
my storytime kids were lukewarm about this one, but to be fair we were at the end and by that point they just want their stamps so they can go play ;)
December 21, 2009
A boy and his grandfather make their way through the zoo, counting
animals from one to ten with each turn of the page. A happy atmosphere is depicted in the gauche illustrations as the animals and humans both smile and stare wide-eyed at each other. Young readers are invited to count the creatures with the refrain, “We count (number)”. I would select this for storytime, since the refrain invites participation and
the colors are vivid and bright. It has simple rhymes and can be used as a teaching resource. One objection some readers might have, and something that storytellers must consider, is that “heaven” is used to rhyme with 7. The illustrations are somewhat cartoonish, and kids like that. It’s also a nice story about intergenerational relationships.
animals from one to ten with each turn of the page. A happy atmosphere is depicted in the gauche illustrations as the animals and humans both smile and stare wide-eyed at each other. Young readers are invited to count the creatures with the refrain, “We count (number)”. I would select this for storytime, since the refrain invites participation and
the colors are vivid and bright. It has simple rhymes and can be used as a teaching resource. One objection some readers might have, and something that storytellers must consider, is that “heaven” is used to rhyme with 7. The illustrations are somewhat cartoonish, and kids like that. It’s also a nice story about intergenerational relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2009
Perfect for pairing with Going to the Zoo and The Baby Beebee Bird for a zoo themed program. This will be nice for one on ones with preschoolers. Just enough words with rhymes that WORK, a "join in and count" and lots of animals to look at.
June 8, 2010
One day, a boy takes his grandpa to the zoo. They see many animals engaged in their various habits.
What I thought: What a delightful book! The rhyming is subtle, but really draws the reader into the story. The illustrations are lovely--so bright and colorful. I want to read more by this author.
Story Time Idea: On July 1, the 1st zoo in the US opened. This book would be perfect to use in a story time celebrating that anniversary.
What I thought: What a delightful book! The rhyming is subtle, but really draws the reader into the story. The illustrations are lovely--so bright and colorful. I want to read more by this author.
Story Time Idea: On July 1, the 1st zoo in the US opened. This book would be perfect to use in a story time celebrating that anniversary.
September 12, 2012
This cute story tells of an adventure at the zoo between a grandpa and his grandson. The rhymes of each page help children to guess what number is next. The little boy travels from exhibit to exhibit counting the animal he sees while explaining what animals are doing! This book has beautiful pictures and I really enjoyed the cuteness of the book. This would be great for 2-5 year olds. Each page kept me counting and humming with the rhyming and beautiful pictures!
August 3, 2014
K picked this book up from his public library.
This is a perfect book to read to the younger kids on up. K is 8 and loved the book because it had animals from the zoo. It is easy to read for those that are learning to read or are at the stage 1 to 2 level reading books. The pictures are colorful and bright and go great with the story. Rhyming on every page, which makes it fun to read along with counting on many of each animal is at the zoo!
This is a perfect book to read to the younger kids on up. K is 8 and loved the book because it had animals from the zoo. It is easy to read for those that are learning to read or are at the stage 1 to 2 level reading books. The pictures are colorful and bright and go great with the story. Rhyming on every page, which makes it fun to read along with counting on many of each animal is at the zoo!
April 28, 2009
Recommended Ages: toddler/preschool
Counting is always more fun when Grandpa helps! From one black bear to ten hairy warthogs, the young narrator and his grandpa count their way through a colorful and sometimes unusual zoo, encountering a wide assortment of friendly animals along the way.
Counting is always more fun when Grandpa helps! From one black bear to ten hairy warthogs, the young narrator and his grandpa count their way through a colorful and sometimes unusual zoo, encountering a wide assortment of friendly animals along the way.
December 30, 2011
I read this book to one of the kids at the daycare I work at. He is just learning to talk and count, he always repeats what I say. He loves pointing to the animals and counting, 1,2,3,5 he's still learning. I would recommend this book for children who are learning to count and who love animals.
March 19, 2012
Rhyming book, using numbers. Easy for students to read and practice their fluency. Also, this book can be used in not only that but students could create their own as well as a piece of art that goes along with the book.
February 26, 2014
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week. He really likes counting books.
This book was a great read-out-loud counting book. There was even a story, which is always a bonus with concept books. And the illustrations are adorable.
This book was a great read-out-loud counting book. There was even a story, which is always a bonus with concept books. And the illustrations are adorable.
July 22, 2009
Simple, bouncy and very cute- a delightful read for toddlers. I really enjoyed this one.
February 28, 2009
Cute counting book that rhymes, but it just didn't do much for me.
March 4, 2009
Cute counting book with bright illustrations. I think it would read aloud well for a storytime. Ages 2+
March 5, 2009
A rhyming, counting book with great illustrations! This book can't be beat!
March 12, 2009
A boy and his grandfather bond by counting the captive animals at the zoo.
April 3, 2009
grandpa and bay go to zoo
train involved
counting book
train involved
counting book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews