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Z Is for Zookeeper: A Zoo Alphabet

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The polar bear are splashing in their pool. The monkeys are having the time of their lives in the trees. The lion peacefully observes his surroundings. The zoo is a great place to see animals from all over the world in one place. But who takes care of them and their home the zoo? The zookeeper. In Z is for A Zoo Alphabet children will learn that he's probably the busiest person there. And if you don't see the zookeepers, rest assured they're doing their job and doing it well. After all, someone has to feed, clean, nurse and clean up after this diverse adopted family. Who better to write an exploration into this trade than a zookeeper and his wife? Roland Smith brings his 20 years of experience and passion to every line in Z is for Zookeeper. Children will have a front seat into the inner workings, challenges and rewards of a day in the life of the zoo. This trip to the zoo wouldn't be complete without the whimsical animals and settings that spring from school-favorite artist's Henry Cole's expert brush strokes. Z is for A Zoo Alphabet is a true original, exploring a rarely seen side of one of America's favorite family attractions. As a great keepsake of a fun day or as an educational tool on career day or a fun read before lights out, this detailed account of the zookeeper is sure to change the way readers see the zoo.

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2005

36 people want to read

About the author

Marie Smith

154 books4 followers

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5 stars
15 (22%)
4 stars
26 (39%)
3 stars
17 (25%)
2 stars
6 (9%)
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2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for J.
3,966 reviews33 followers
January 12, 2023
There's an actual Sleeping Bear Publishers alphabet book I actually kind of liked and found decent?! What a miracle!

Like most of their other alphabet books that I have reviewed in the past this one follows the same formula. The actual alphabet story is told in the middle of the pages in some verses that sometimes rhyme and sometimes don't. These small paragraphs offer the letter that is under the limelight and a small introduction to an item starting with the letter as well as its importance to the theme of the book which in this case is the zookeeper.

Meanwhile for those readers who are interested in listening more there are longer and more detailed entries on the side of the book that either offer more insight to the subject mentioned on the main plot or even in some rare cases offer another entry for that same letter. As such the reader is allowed to choose just how much time they want to invest in the reading of the book while if they have really young children that are being read to I would skip these side bars.

The entries that make up this book include a couple of notable species found in zoos, a lot of equipment used and also various parts of the zoo that aren't normally open to the public thus a bit of an inside look for those who are curious.

Since of the brightly colored and detailed illustrations this book would make for a great inclusion in any career day conversations with young readers and/or as a preparatory book to read before actual visiting the zoo.
Profile Image for Heidi.
40 reviews
March 21, 2010
Zoo is for Zookeeper is an alphabet book all about the zoo. It talks about the zoo in general, the animals that can be found there and also the zookeeper and his/her job. This book contains some rhyming throughout it. This book would be great for learning about the zoo before a field trip to visit one!

Reading Level: Kindergarden- 3rd Grade

Genre: Picture Book

Use: Read Aloud, Independent Reading

Topic: Zoo's, Alphabet

Literary Elements: The setting for this book can only be at the zoo. It wouldn't make sense any other way.

Image/Text: The pictures go along with the text very nicely. There are supplemental facts about the topics on each page along the side.
Profile Image for Zonia.
425 reviews
April 13, 2009
Great way to introduce the topic. Each page also has detailed information about animals found in the zoo and how they are cared for in captivity.
Profile Image for Nanci Booher.
841 reviews13 followers
December 22, 2014
Roland Smith is one of my favorite authors. Together with his wife, they have written a rhyming alphabet book about the zoo. I love this series and this one has soared to the top of my faves list.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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