Dear Zoo (Dear Zoo: Lift the Flaps - Rod Campbell)

Member Name: lisajo

Product:	Dear Zoo: Lift the Flaps - Rod Campbell
Date:	22/10/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can be used to teach children about many different animals

Disadvantages: on a personal note.. just the bit about the snake...

Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell

On a recent trip to the library I loaned a lot of books for Jake to give him a change from the many we have a home, and Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell was one of these. This 16 page book has an rrp of £4.99, which I feel is actually an okay price given the content.

**I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet. They sent me an...**
This is the test on the first page. On the facing page is a pull down flap in the shape of a wooden crate with the words 'very heavy! On the flap. Pulling the flap down reveals an elephant.

This books continues to introduce children to zoo animals including a giraffe, a lion, a camel, a snake, a frog, a monkey and a dog by using open up flaps with animals hidden behind doors, in cages and baskets.

**My thoughts**
My first thoughts on this book are that it could really benefit from naming each animal under the relevant flaps. The reason for this is that some of the illustrations are a little ambiguous, with, in my opinion, some being a little poor and too easily identifiable. After reading this through with Jake it lost his attention really quickly and on that basis I would not recommend this to such a young child (he is just one), but definitely an older children... may be in six months he will be different with it, but for the time being the flaps hiding the animals are just too small and fiddly and he wants to eat them.

Also, on a more personal note.... I did not like the illustration of the snake with the words 'He was too scary. I sent him back'. The reason for this is that we actually have a pet snake at home. I have only just introduced Jake (son) to Syd (Snake) at the age of one year and this was done from a distance. I want Jake to learn, and to teach Jake that he should always be cautious around the snake as he grows (both of them) but not to be fearful; the same as I will with dogs. I have an utter fear of honey bees as I am allergic to their stings but I definitely do not want this fear to rub off on Jake. I acknowledge that some people do have a fear of snakes and that to them it is rational as is my phobia of bees. Also, to add, Jake has not yet touched the snake, which is kept in a locked vivarium with keys way way out of reach so that is no way Jake can get to him or vice versa, the snake only being a tiny corn anyway.... just in case any of you were fearing for my sons safety. Heard too many scare stories for that!

So, back to the book, It is very basic but easy to follow and slightly older children may enjoy trying to work out whether the camel is really a camel or a horse. Lol

Summary: can be used an an educational tool for all ages