Trip to the Zoo (July 2025 - December 2026) > Likes and Comments
The GameSTART HERE
1. Main Entrance - You purchase a ticket into the zoo.
Read a book in which someone buys a ticket of some kind.
2. Carousel - You ride the carousel to feel like a child again.
Read a book that features a child.
3. Information Booth - You stop to ask for directions to your favorite animals.
Read a book that features a road trip. Bonus points if the MC has to ask for directions.
4. Nature Trail - You soak in nature while stretching your legs after the long drive to reach the zoo.
Read a book set in nature.
5. Lemurs - You admire their really long tails.
Read a book featuring an animal with a tail.
6. Elephant Fountain - You watch as a child makes a wish and tosses a coin into the fountain.
Read a book with a water fountain or waterfall on the cover.
7. Guest Services - You take notice of the offerings here.
Choose one aspect of Guest Services and read a book to match its task.
*First Aid - Read a book that has a red or white cover.
*Comfort Station - Read a book where a woman gives birth or has a newborn baby.
*Indoor Rest Area - Read a book that features chilly weather (snow, cold rain, etc.).
*ATM - Read a book in which someone receives a monetary inheritance.
*Lost and Found - Read a book in which a child is missing or lost.
8. Flamingo Bridge - You spot the flamingos up ahead but pause on the bridge to tie your shoe.
Read a book with a bridge on the cover OR with a shoe on the cover.
9. Flamingo Pond - One of the flamingos slips and falls, which makes you laugh.
Read a book with an MPG of CHICK LIT, HUMOR, or ROMCOM (Romantic Comedy).
10. Children’s Zoo - So much to see here, and it’s busy!
Read a book featuring at least three different children. Share their names.
11. Birds Landing - Within this cage, you can feed the birds, and they land on you too!
Read a book with a bird on the cover.
12. Alpaca - They look so warm and fuzzy, but you’re not sure about petting one.
Read a book that features an alpaca or llama OR in which someone uses wool in some fashion (knits with wool, wears a wool sweater, etc.).
13. Red Barn - Four-legged critters greet you here.
Choose your favorite and read a book to fit its related task.
*Sheep - Read a book set on a farm.
*Goats - Read a book with a rambunctious animal.
*Donkey - Read a book with a stubborn character.
*Miniature Pony - Read a book in which there is a big difference in the heights of the two leading characters.
14. Goat Yard - A child cries after a goat kid head-butted him into the dirt.
Read a book in which a child cries. Share why they cried.
15. Discovery House - You watch children take part in hands-on learning.
Read a book in which a character has a hands-on job. (Construction, babysitting, etc.)
16. You fell and scraped your knee. Go back to #7 Guest Services for a bandage.
17. Tamarin Treetops - These small monkeys are so active! They chatter a lot too.
Read a book with a chatterbox character OR with an active toddler.
18. Prime Meridian Café - It’s time for lunch!
Choose your meal and read a book to fit its related task.
*Pizza - Read a book in which a character eats pizza.
*Burger and Fries - Read a book in which a character gets takeout.
*Chicken Strips - Read a book in which a character has chickens.
*Fish and Chips - Read a book in which a character goes fishing.
19. Forest Tortoise - This guy is slow, but he’s hungry. Crunch! Crunch! He loves his lettuce!
Read a book set in a forest OR in which a character eats a salad.
20. Colobus - These monkeys have such beautiful black-and-white fringe that drapes from their backs.
Read a book with a black or white cover.
21. Clouded Leopard - This beautiful big cat is taking a nap in the shade.
Read a book with clouds on the cover OR in which a character takes a nap.
22. Crane - One of these elegant birds stretched out its wings–what a wingspan!
Read a book with arms spread wide on the cover OR with an elegantly dressed person on the cover.
23. Tiger - The tiger paces back and forth in its enclosure, and a child mimics it in front of the glass.
Read a book in which one character mimics another OR in which a character wears stripes. Share the article of clothing.
24. Tiger Viewing Building - Come in out of the heat and watch the tigers some more.
Read a book written by an author whose first and last initials are found in TIGER VIEWING BUILDING.
25. Otter Outpost - The otters are playful today, but one poses while you take pictures.
Read a book with water on the cover OR with a photograph on the cover.
26. Herpetarium - The reptile house might be a good place to cool off, but it houses lots of critters you wouldn’t want to meet in the wild.
Choose a reptile and read a book to fit its related task.
*Snake - Read a book with curvy, curly lettering for the title. Example:
*Poison Dart Frog - Read a book featuring a Native American character.
*Salamander - Read a book with a character named Solomon or Samantha.
*Toad - Read a book in which someone tries to lose weight.
27. Monarch Express Mini-Train - This ride isn’t long, but it’s relaxing–and nice to get off your feet for a few minutes!
Read a book with a train on the cover OR in which someone rides a train (subways and monorails also count).
28. I Spy Butterflies - A million different colors sparkle from their wings as these butterflies flutter from flower to flower. A few even land on you!
Read a book with a bright, multicolored cover OR with a butterfly on the cover.
29. Maned Wolf - This red wolf has longer legs than you expected.
Read a book that takes you by surprise or that has a huge plot twist. No need to post why–let’s keep the surprises for other readers to discover.
30. Capybara - This critter is the largest rodent, and there’s no way you’d want an infestation!
Read a book that is relaxing to you.
31. Sloth - Slow but cute, these critters make you smile.
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in SLOTH (all words count).
32. Galapagos Tortoise - Another snacking tortoise–do they have any other kind?
Read a book in which a character eats a snack. What did they eat?
33. Toucan - Tropical birds are so beautiful! You admire this one for a while.
Read a book set in a tropical paradise. Where was it set?
34. Bug U! - You’d rather skip this building, but you breeze through and peek at several of the insects anyway.
Choose an insect and read a book to fit its related task.
*Spider - Read a book with an MPG of MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, or THRILLER.
*Beetle - Read a book with something shiny on the cover.
*Walking Stick Bug - Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are in WALKING STICK.
*Cricket - Read a book whose title begins with a letter in CRICKET (ignore articles).
35. Auditorium - You take time to watch the educational movie.
Read a book in which characters watch a movie. If it was named, what movie did they watch?
36. Forgot your wallet! Go back to #18 Prime Meridian Café.
37. Tunnel - Relief from the sun’s rays is short-lived but very nice indeed.
Read a book featuring a covered bridge. Bonus points if it’s also on the cover.
38. Penguin - Cool temperatures and neat little flightless birds–what’s not to like?
Read a book whose title words all begin with letters in one of these places: Alaska, Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, or Siberia (3-word minimum).
39. Cheetah - You happened to see the cheetah running–a rare sight! Boy, was it fast.
Read a book in which a character is a runner OR a book that has a fast-paced plot.
40. Safari Marketplace - Good timing! You realize you need something offered here and take advantage of it.
Choose your need and read a book to fit its related task.
*Restroom - Read a book in which one scene is set in a restroom.
*Water Fountain - Read a book in which a character gets a drink.
*Food/Snacks - Read a book in which someone goes to a restaurant to eat.
41. Lesser Flamingo - None of the flamingos fall this time, but one can’t seem to figure out standing on one foot.
Read a book that features a clumsy MC.
42. Wild Encounters - You’re just in time to see the live-animal presentation.
Choose an animal and read a book to fit its related task.
*Armadillo - Read a book with a round object on the cover.
*Porcupine - Read a book with something pointy on the cover.
*Baby Alligator - Read a book with a baby on the cover.
*Parrot - Read a book with a double letter in the title (paRRot, trEE, weLL, etc.)
43. Saddle-billed Stork - Their knees bend in the opposite direction from ours. Who knew?
Read a book that features the opposites attract trope.
44. Simmons Hippo Outpost - You caught a hippopotamus yawning. Its mouth is humongous!
Read a book with a title word that is longer than seven letters.
45. Okapi - This creature is sometimes called the zebra giraffe, and its face (giraffe) and legs (zebra) are evidence of why.
Read a book in which a character has two different types of pets. Which types did they have?
46. You found a lucky penny! Move forward 3 spaces (#49 Klipspringer).
47. Blue Duiker - This small antelope reminds you of a young deer.
Read a book with a color in the title or author’s name.
48. It begins to rain. Go back to #7 Guest Services for a poncho.
49. Klipspringer - This small antelope has adorable little horns and dramatic eyes.
Read a book that features someone who works in the theater or movie business. Which one did they work in?
50. Chimpanzee - These primates are always entertaining, and one tugs his favorite blanket behind him–clutching it with his back foot!
Read a book in which a child has a security blanket OR with a blanket or quilt on the cover.
51. Chimpanzee Forest - This shaded area gives you more time to watch the chimps play.Read a book set in a forest or a park. Which one was it?
52. Nile Crocodile - These reptiles aren’t ones you’d like to see in person.
Read a book set in Egypt OR that features a reptile. Which reptile?
53. Forest Aviary - Every bird is so different from the next. You could spend all day in here.
Read a book in which a character has a pet bird OR whose title begins with a letter in AVIARY (use or ignore articles).
54. You’re getting tired and want to hurry along. Move forward 6 spaces (#60 Base Camp).
55. Gorilla Research Station - You learned more about apes in your visit here than you ever did in school.
Choose an ape and read a book that fits its related task.
*Gorilla - Read a book with a large object on the cover.
*Orangutan - Read a book with an orange cover.
*Gibbon - Read a book in which a loud noise startles the MC.
*Chimpanzee - Read a book whose title or author’s name contains a Z.
56. Elephant Statues - Good time for a break! You sit on a bench and watch the kids getting their pictures taken with the statues.
Read a book with a U or PH in the title.
57. Fig Tree - You enjoy looking at this tree.
Read a book with trees on the cover.
58. Elephant Watering Hole - One of the elephants gives itself a shower. At least he didn’t spray water in your direction!
Read a book in which characters go on safari OR set in Africa. Which country was featured?
59. Elephant - Look! The baby elephant is super cute, but he hasn’t figured out how to use his trunk.
Read a book that features a baby animal. Which one was featured?
60. Base Camp - There are restrooms and an indoor rest area here.
Read a book in which the MC has an indoor job. What type of job was it?
61. Someone saw your keys fall from your pocket. Go back to #40 Safari Marketplace to pick them up.
62. Warthog - This creature reminds you of the animated Lion King you grew up on. Such sweet memories!
Read a book that features memory loss. (Amnesia, dementia, etc.)
63. Giraffe Feeding Station - You signed up for this, but you weren’t expecting such a long tongue to come out to scoop up the food!
Read a book with an unexpected outcome (don’t share it) OR from a genre that is unusual or different from the one they usually write (for example, Christina Suzann Nelson, who usually writes women’s fiction, is now writing suspenseful mysteries under the name C. S. Nelson). Share the two genres (regular and unusual).
64. Giraffe - These animals are so beautiful with their spots and long necks. So much nicer at a distance than up close!
Read a book with something tall on the cover OR with an MC over six feet tall. Share their height.
65. Ostrich - You didn’t trust the look in this flightless bird’s eye when he looked back at you.
Read a book with a shifty character (who?) OR with feathers on the cover.
66. African Painted Dog - You read the plaque and discovered this is an endangered species of sub-Saharan wildlife.
Read a book set in the Sahara Desert OR that has a dog on the cover.
67. Predator Encounter - You’re really glad there’s a barrier between these predators and you–someone they would see as prey!
Choose a predator and read a book that fits its related task.
*Lion - Read a book with a cat on the cover.
*Cheetah - Read a book with spots on the cover.
*Hyena - Read a book that makes you laugh.
*Leopard - Read a book in which a character wears a polka-dot article of clothing.
*Wild Dog - Read a book set in Africa. Share the country.
*Martial Eagle - Read a book in which the MC is a pilot.
68. Lion - The king of the African plains yawns lazily in the shade on this hot afternoon.
Read a book that keeps you up past your bedtime OR in which a character stays up past their bedtime.
69. It’s so hot! Go back to #60 Base Camp to cool off.
70. Serengeti Grill - It’s dinnertime!
Choose your dinner and read a book that fits its related task.
*Burger Dinner - Read a book in which a character uses a condiment (ketchup, mustard, etc.).
*Chicken Dinner - Read a book in which a character goes through a drive thru.
*Fish Dinner - Read a book in which a character rides in a boat.
*Vegetarian Dinner - Read a book in which a character has a vegetable garden.
71. A lost child is crying. You walk them to Guest Services and wait with them until their parents arrive. Move forward 3 spaces (#74 Gift Shop).
72. Revisit your favorite animal.
Stay here (don’t “go back” to your favorite animal) but read a book associated with your favorite animal in the zoo. Tell us which number, animal, and task you chose.
Example: You could read a book for #55 Orangutan - a book with an orange cover.
73. Tunnel #2 - Your footsteps slow on the return trip through the tunnel as it’s been a long day.
Read a book with a night scene on the cover OR in which characters look at the stars.
74. Gift Shop - Lots of items to choose from!
Choose your souvenir and read a book to fit its related task.
*Stuffed Animal - Read a book with a toy on the cover.
*Keychain - Read a book in which a key(s) is used by the MC.
*Postcard - Read a book in which a character writes or receives a letter or postcard.
*Hat - Read a book with a hat on the cover.
*T-shirt - Read a book in which the MC wears a T-shirt.
*Walking Stick - Read a book in which a character goes on a hike.
75. Parking Lot - You finally made it back to your car. Hope you enjoyed your trip to the zoo!
Andrea
Annette
Bridget
Charlotte
Crystal
Fifi
Hannah Beth
Jenn
Karen
Kate
Katrina
Linda
Lynnette
Michelle
Sarita
Simone
Start Here Roll #1: 1Landed On: 1 Main Entrance. Read a book where someone buys a ticket of some kind.
Read:
Page 122
"Dad went to the ticket counter and came back with a one-way ticket to Atlanta."
Roll #: 2
Rolled: 5
Landed On: 6 Read a book with a water fountain or waterfall on the cover.
Read:
I’m in please.🔴Roll # 1
Start Space➖START HERE
Number Rolled➖6
Space Landed On➖6-ELEPHANT FOUNTAIN
▪️ Read a book with a water fountain or waterfall on the cover.
Completed➖21 Days of Generosity Challenge: Experiencing the Joy That Comes From a Giving Heart by C.J. Hitz
Date➖7/5/25
Fits Because➖Waterfall on cover
🔴Roll # 2
Start Space➖6
Number Rolled➖3
Space Landed On➖9-FLAMINGO POND
▪️Read a book with an MPG of CHICK LIT, HUMOR, or ROMCOM (Romantic Comedy).
Completed➖The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
Date➖7/10/25
Fits Because➖An MPG of CHICK LIT
🔴 Roll # 3
Start Space➖9
Number Rolled➖1
Space Landed On➖10-CHILDREN’S ZOO
▪️Read a book featuring at least three different children. Share their names.
Completed➖Another Chance at Love by Laura Haley-McNeil
Date➖7/13/25
Fits Because➖Three Children in book (Blayne, Elliott and Desiree)
🔴Roll # 4
Start Space➖10
Number Rolled➖6
Space Landed On➖16
➖You fell and scraped your knee. Go back to #7 Guest Services for a bandage.
Space Landed On➖7-GUEST SERVICES
▪️* First Aid - Read a book that has a red or white cover.
Completed➖Kiss Me in Carolina by Brooke St. James
Date➖7/21/25
Fits Because➖Book has WHITE Cover
🔴Roll # 5
Start Space➖7
Number Rolled➖3
Space Landed On➖10-CHILDREN’S ZOO
▪️Read a book featuring at least three different children. Share their names.
Completed➖Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite
Date➖7/25/25
Fits Because➖Five Children in book (Leigh, Emily, Sarah, Betsy, Jeremy)
🔴Roll # 6
Start Space➖10
Number Rolled➖2
Space Landed On➖12-ALPACA
▪️Read a book that features an alpaca or llama OR in which someone uses wool in some fashion (knits with wool, wears a wool sweater, etc.).
Completed➖A Christmas Hallelujah by Dori Harrell
Date➖7/28/25
Fits Because➖A sweet story featuring alpacas
🔴Roll # 7
Start Space➖12
Number Rolled➖3
Space Landed On➖15-DISCOVERY HOUSE
Read a book in which a character has a hands-on job. (Construction, babysitting, etc.)
Completed➖Marrying the Mechanic by Shanna Hatfield
Date➖9/1/25
Fits Because➖Jace is a MECHANIC (hands-on job)
🔴Roll # 8
Start Space➖15
Number Rolled➖3
Space Landed On➖18-PRIME MERIDIAN CAFE
▪️*Pizza - Read a book in which a character eats pizza.
Completed➖If I Could Stay by Annette K. Larsen
Date➖9/4/25
Fits Because➖Leila enjoyed pizza with Nina and Charlie.
“I GRABBED A SLICE OF PIZZA AND SAT BACK, NOTICING HOW SIMILAR THEY LOOKED WHILE ALSO SEEMING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT”.
🔴Roll # 9
Start Space➖18
Number Rolled➖6
Space Landed On➖24-TIGER VIEWING BUILDING
▪️Read a book written by an author whose first and last initials are found in TIGER VIEWING BUILDING.
Completed➖Not Until This Moment by Valerie M. Bodden
Date➖9/7/25
Fits Because➖Authors first and last initials are in “Tiger Viewing Building” (VB)
🔴 Roll # 10
Start Space➖24
Number Rolled➖5
Space Landed On➖29-MANED WOLF
▪️ Read a book that takes you by surprise or that has a huge plot twist. No need to post why–let’s keep the surprises for other readers to discover.
Completed➖Resolve: A clean suspense novel by Samantha Price
Date➖9/13/25
Fits Because➖It’s a surprise 😮
🔴 Roll # 11
Start Space➖29
Number Rolled➖2
Space Landed On➖31-SLOTH
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in SLOTH (all words count).
Completed➖Home Run by Travis Thrasher
Date➖9/17/25
Fits Because➖Title begins with Letter ‘H’ (Home)—a letter in SLOTH
🔴 Roll # 12
Start Space➖31
Number Rolled➖4
Space Landed On➖35-AUDITORIUM
Read a book in which characters watch a movie. If it was named, what movie did they watch?
Completed➖Inside the Ten-Foot Line by Lori Scott
Date➖9/20/25
Fits Because➖Lorali and friends watched Godzilla 16 at the movie theater
🔴Roll # 13
Start Space➖35
Number Rolled➖3
Space Landed On➖38-PENGUIN
Read a book whose title words all begin with letters in one of these places: Alaska, Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland, or Siberia (3-word minimum).
Completed➖After the Rains by Deborah Raney
Date➖10/4/25
Fits Because➖Book title beginning letters (ATR) are in “AnTaRctica”
🔴 Roll # 14
Start Space➖38
Number Rolled➖1
Space Landed On➖39-CHEETAH
Read a book in which a character is a runner OR a book that has a fast-paced plot.
Completed➖The Race Against Time by William Roushey
Date➖10/17/25
Fits Because➖Carson is a runner on his college cross-country team.
🔴Roll # 15
Start Space➖39
Number Rolled➖5
Space Landed On➖44-SIMMONS HIPPO OUTPOST
Read a book with a title word that is longer than seven letters.
Completed➖The Youngest Hero by Jerry B. Jenkins
Date➖10/19/25
Fits Because➖”YOUNGEST” is Eight (8) Letters
🔴 Roll # 16
Start Space➖44
Number Rolled➖4
Space Landed On➖48-It begins to rain. Go back to #7 Guest Services for a poncho.
Space Landed On➖7-GUEST SERVICES
Completed➖
Date➖
Fits Because➖
Trip to the ZooJuly 2025 - December 2026
Roll 1
Start Space: Start Here
Rolled: 2
Landed on: 2 Carousel
Task: book features a child
Book:
Trip to the ZooJuly 2025 - December 2026
Roll #1
Start Space: Start Here
Rolled: 3
Landed On: 3. Information Booth
Task: Read a book that features a road trip. Bonus points if the MC has to ask for directions.
Book: The Sea Glass Sisters by Lisa Wingate. (7/19/25) They did not ask for directions.
Roll #2
Start Space: 3
Rolled: 4
Landed On: 7. Guest Services
Task: You take notice of the offerings here.
Choose one aspect of Guest Services and read a book to match its task.
*Lost and Found - Read a book in which a child is missing or lost.
Book: Nightwatch by Valerie Hansen (8/21/25) - toddler kidnapped
Roll #3
Start Space: 7
Rolled: 4
Landed On: 11. Birds Landing - Within this cage, you can feed the birds, and they land on you too!
Task: Read a book with a bird on the cover.
Book:
Hazardous Homecoming by Dana MentinkRoll #4
Start Space:
Rolled:
Landed On:
Task:
Book:
Roll #5
Start Space:
Rolled:
Landed On:
Task:
Book:
July 2025 - December 2026
Let’s take a trip to the zoo!
Jump to the Participants' List.
You will need one six-sided die or a number generator (set to 1-6) to play.
Note: When signing up, reserve 10-15 spots to have room to track your progress.
RULES
Start on the START HERE space, roll the die, and move forward that number of spaces.
You must complete the task for that space BEFORE rolling again.
If you land on a GO BACK space and get sent back to a task you have already done, you must do that task again using a different book.
You do not need to land on PARKING LOT by exact number to finish. (i.e if you are on 73 and roll a 5, you are done; you don't need to back track or roll until you get a 2)
After each move, as well as updating your original post, please post a new message with the following information.
Roll # (i.e first roll, second roll, third roll etc)
Start Space
Number Rolled
Space Landed On
A link to the book you read for the task, the date you finished it, the cover if the task relates to it, and a brief explanation of how the book fits the task.
EXAMPLE
Roll #2 (or Second Roll)
Start Space: 2
Rolled: 4
Landed on: 6 - Read a book with a water fountain or waterfall on the cover.
Book Read: Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble | 7/6/25
*Each book may only be used for one task
*To count a book towards a challenge you must read the majority of it after the start date of the challenge.
*Where more than one option is given for a task, please state which option your book relates to.
*Please explain briefly how your book fits a task.
*If the task relates to the cover of your book, please post the cover of the book.
*All book formats are fine.
*Rereads are allowed. Books may only be read once within the game, though.
*No page minimum (unless a task asks for a specific page count).
Notes on terms: MPG means main-page genre. MC means main character.
Note: I used the Dallas Zoo map to create this challenge, but the details of meals and such are made up based on my many experiences at a wide variety of zoos across the United States. The last time I was at the Dallas Zoo was when I was around twelve, and I couldn't find menus online.