Now that the weather is finally improving, we have been making a lot more trips to the zoo! Little M, Baby M and I love walking around and learning about the different animals. So it’s no wonder that these picture books about the zoo are favorites in our house!

In Xander’s Panda Party, written by Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Matt Phelan, Xander the Panda takes great pains to plan the perfect birthday party – but he has a little trouble with the guest list!

Fraidyzoo, by Thyra Heder, is a beautifully illustrated and imaginative book that is part picture book, part alphabet story and part animal guessing game. It is sure to keep kids of all ages entertained as read along to find out why Little T is afraid to go back to the zoo and try to guess the animals as her family dresses in homemade costumes and acts out as zoo animals.

A Possum’s Tail by Gabby Dawnay and illustrated by Alex Barrow, is a one of our favorite new books. Samuel Drew and his toy dog walk over to the London Zoo to see the possums. Sadly, the possums are all asleep so Samuel heads back home, not knowing that the possums have decided to follow him. We love the rhyming verse and the colorful illustrations of London!  

Good Night Gorilla, by Peggy Rathmann, is a favorite around here. Little M and I have read it countless times and now Baby M enjoys reading along with us. We follow the tale of this cute and mischievous gorilla in the zoo who lets out the animals out and follows zookeeper home to bed.

In A Sick Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead  and illustrated by Erin E. Stead, Amos the zookeeper realizes how much his friends at the zoo care for him when they come home to take care of him when he is sick. This is sure to be a hit with your little ones. We love reading about the number 5 bus and all of Amos’ animal friends.