The Zoo is Closed Today!

Book excerpt: " It was a warm sunny day with not much to do. So Sue and John walked to the Kalamazoo. But when John and Sue arrive at the zoo, they are in for a big surprise! What is wrong with all of the animals? From Edward the elephant to Marcel the monkey, the animals have tummy aches and toothaches, runny noses and sore throats. Pete the zookeeper can barely keep up with taking care of them and has to close the zoo. And the next day, John and Sue are in for an even bigger surprise! This charming tale, illustrated with humor and warmth, demonstrates the value of sweet friendship. Reviews: SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL "K-Gr 2-Following in the footsteps of many other successful 'something's wrong at the zoo' stories, this rhyming version comically describes the ailments of the animals that Sue and John find when they walk to 'Kalama Zoo.' Their friend Pete the zookeeper explains that the zoo is closed because Edward the elephant has a cold in his nose, Freddy the fox has a sunburn, Marcel the monkey's tail is in a sling, and Carlos the camel has hives on his humps. The kids return home disappointed and concerned but are gleeful to receive a letter the very next day telling them that the animals are feeling better. When the two come down with the sniffles themselves, the animals make a get-well road trip to their house. Kennedy's colorful cartoons perfectly complement Beilenson's easy read-aloud verse. Pair it with E.S. Redmond's Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo (Candlewick, 2009) and Philip C. Stead's A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Roaring Brook, 2010) for an ailing animal storytime or book display." -Jenna Boles, Green County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW "A delightful, expressively illustrated humorous narrative verse story about children, friendship, and animals having a sick day at the zoo. . . . [an] imaginative animal tale that teaches children the value of friends who truly care about you, even when you are sick. It is ideal for audiences ages 5 and up." Click here to download a free Common Core Aligned Teaching Guide for The Zoo is Closed Today! "