Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell

One Sentence Summary

Rod Campbell’s Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book is an interactive picture book for young readers, featuring animals sent from the zoo and children lifting flaps to see what they are.

Book Genre

Children’s picture book

Main Topic of the Book

In this book, using humorous descriptive language and euphemism, readers are invited to come and join the little boy who is looking for a pet from the zoo, as the animals seem unsuitable for one reason or another.

Key Ideas

• Innovation: Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book brings a unique interactive element to the genre of children’s books that encourages imagination and play.
• Exploration: This book encourages children to explore the animals to find a suitable pet, and to get creative and have fun by lifting the flaps and trying different combinations.
• Interactivity: By lifting the flaps and playing with the contents of the book, readers discover a new way to spend quality time with their children.

Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary

• Part 1: The Letter – The book begins with a letter addressed to the zoo, asking them to send a pet. In response, the zoo sends a variety of animals – a lion, a monkey, an elephant, a snake, a camel, and a sheep – but none of them are quite a match for the little boy.
• Part 2: The Search Continues – Undeterred by the animals initially sent, the boy continues on the search for the perfect pet. Through a series of lift-up flaps, readers discover a number of different animals – including a giraffe, a hen, a penguin, a bear, and a dog.
• Part 3: Success! – By lifting the final flap, readers finally discover the pet that the little boy was looking for. With eyes full of joy, the little boy shows off the pet to the reader – a puppy – and everyone lives happily ever after.

Key Takeaways

• The book encourages creativity and imagination through its interactive nature, and prompts discussion between adult and child.
• It shows how, with perseverance and patience, even the most unusual problems can be solved.
• The book aims to provide a meaningful and educational experience, but also provide fun, enjoyment and engagement for readers.

Author’s Background and Qualifications

• Rod Campbell, the author of Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book, is a renowned British author and illustrator of children’s books. He is best known for his book titles such as Dear Zoo, Oh Dear!, That’s Not My Bear! and many others. He has been writing and illustrating children’s books for over 30 years, and his books have been translated into more than 25 languages and are sold all over the world.

Target Audience

The target audience of this book are children ages 1 to 5, their parents and guardians.

Publisher and First Publication Date

• Publisher: Penguin Random House Children’s UK
• First Publication Date: September 1st 1982

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