Class Two at the Zoo

Jarman's delightful rhyming story tells about a class being followed (and swallowed) as they wander through the zoo. Simple rhyming text makes for light, easy reading. L.J. Ganser's narration is well paced, incorporating a rhythmic pattern to suggest what's coming and appropriate pauses to accent the rhyme and the action. Both his emphasis on certain words and his inflection add to the humor of the story. He draws out the instances of onomatopoeia and holds onto words to add to the drama, like RUUUNNNNNNN, still managing to maintain a humorous tone. Although having the book in hand would add a lot, it's still a fun romp through the zoo without it. First-graders will love this! W.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

October 8, 2007
A field trip to the zoo has all the kids so giddy with excitement that they quickly dispense with their teacher's warning “Don't wander off!” Even worse, they're oblivious to the hungry anaconda, which is doing a little wandering—and grazing—of his own. “They failed to see that huge reptile.../ open his jaws and swallow Kyle,” writes Jarman (Big Red Tub
). “They didn't see that giant snake.../ make a meal of James and Jake.” Luckily, a bright girl catches the snake in the act of feasting on their teacher and organizes a rescue party. Slimy but smiling, the victims emerge from the giant snake mouth—including “a boy they didn't know./ 'Thank you,' he said, 'my name is Joe.' ” Working in bright pastels on a textured surface, Chapman (The Odds Get Even
) keeps a genial silliness bubbling throughout these pages. There are lots of visual gags (perpetrated by both humans and animals), and not for a second will readers doubt that the children will prevail over the ravenous snake. And while the kid cast may have oversize heads and huge goggle eyes, their unfettered behavior seems all too realistic. Post-kindergarteners will probably find this story a bit too juvenile, but anyone younger—as well as any grown-up who's been recruited to chaperone a field trip—should come away with a giggle. Ages 5-8.