Zoo

If I'd seen this book in a store, I don't think I'd have felt compelled to buy it. It doesn't look that different from countless other children's books on the shelves... Yet it IS different. It was given to me as a gift, and I'm so glad it was. My son was fascinated by it. He was 8 months old, and it was the first book he ever took an interest in. Months later, it is still his favorite. It makes him smile every time, guaranteed.

Jan Pienkowski's "Zoo" uses a simple format to appeal to the youngest children. The book introduces the reader to 14 different animals that you would see at a zoo: crocodile, hippopotamus, toucan, gorilla, and more. Each page combines a one-word caption with a colorful illustration.The pictures are particularly appealing. Bright and colorful, these illustrations combine an iconic quality with realistic touches. From the grandeur of the peacock's tail to the charm of a koala mother and her baby, each picture is delightful. This is a fun book for both child and caregiver.

I bought this book for my son when he was 7 months old. He is now one and still chooses it over all of the other books we own. He loves the illustrations! He took his first step to get this book off of a table and he said his first word when we turned to the lion page. He now says "Yion" each time we read it!And he's learned to roar!

This is a favorite of my 9-month old son who consistently chooses it for us to read together and regularly pages through it on his own. The illustrations are bold, colorful and stimulating and the animals represented take us beyond the more common dog, pig, duck varieties to animals including the toucan, koala and camel. Its popularity with our son is motivating us to buy the whole series.