Copyright Date:
2013
Edition Date:
2013
Release Date:
09/01/13
Pages:
1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN:
1-607-18713-2
ISBN 13:
978-1-607-18713-4
Dewey:
591
LCCN:
2013021970
Dimensions:
27 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Horn Book
(Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)
Simple text asks young readers if they could perform the various tasks of a zookeeper ("Could you give a baby moose a bottle or teach a lamb to walk on a leash?"). Appealing color photos show zoo favorites and less-familiar species, though some images are unfortunately obscured in the book's gutter. Additional information on zookeepers, zoo habitats, and wildlife conservation is appended.
School Library Journal
(Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)
PreS-Gr 2 Curtis capitalizes on children's love of animals to teach them about zookeepers. Aimed at a young audience, the text is minimal, describing for readers some of the tasks zookeepers perform on a daily basis: "Could you introduce baby chimps to their new troop or provide a snack for reptiles?" Unfortunately, the text is so simple that it becomes disjointed. There is also very little explanation of the tasks, simply a listing. Attractive double-page photographs will attract readers. At the back of the book is a "For Creative Minds" section that offers additional facts about zoo habitats, wildlife conservation, and more detailed information on zookeeping as a career. The vocabulary in the back matter is written at a much higher reading level than the rest of the book, which makes it necessary for adults to interpret for young readers. Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ
Zoos are amazing places to see and learn about the many native and exotic of animals that inhabit this world. Some animals are plentiful while others are threatened or in danger of extinction. Zookeepers not only feed and care for these animals, they may also be helping to conserve and protect whole species through breeding and "head start" programs. Follow the extraordinary duties of these unusual animal helpers in this behind-the-scenes photographic journal. This nonfiction picture book with a cuddle factor includes a 4-page For Creative Minds section in the back of the book and a 82-page cross-curricular Teaching Activity Guide online. Animal Helpers is vetted by experts and designed to encourage parental engagement. Its extensive back matter helps teachers with time-saving lesson ideas, provides extensions for science, math, and social studies units, and uses inquiry-based learning to help build critical thinking skills in young readers. The Spanish translation supports ELL and dual-language programs. The interactive ebook reads aloud in both English and Spanish with word highlighting and audio speed control to promote oral language skills, fluency, pronunciation, text engagement, and reading comprehension.