Merry Christmas, zoo

Toddler-PreS--As Christmas approaches, zoo workers decide to surprise and treat the animals with gifts. The zoo begins getting into the holiday spirit by decorating with Christmas trees, papier-mâché, bows, stockings, and lots of lights around each animal habitat. Illustrations show zoo staff preparing specific fruits and meals for the different animals, as well as suitable gifts for each one. When everything is prepared, Santa delivers the gifts just as he does for the children of the world. The story is told in rhyming verse inspired by the popular holiday poem "The Night before Christmas." Children will delight in seeing animals ripping wrapping paper off gift boxes and reaching into stockings for treats. They will also enjoy each animal in their habitat, receiving appropriate gifts, such as the penguins and otters getting fish frozen into big ice cubes floating in the water. Great back matter includes information on how zoos around the world celebrate the holidays with their animals. Zookeepers consult with veterinarians and nutritionists to make sure nothing that is given to the animals will make them choke or hurt them and that wrappings are nontoxic. VERDICT A delightful tale and a great addition to any children's library collection.--Annmarie Braithwaite

Animals deserve merry Christmases, too. This cheery story, expressed in bouncy verse, will not only entertain young readers, but also open their eyes to a most delightful behind-the-scenes practice that goes on at holiday time in many zoos. If kids enjoy visiting zoos around the winter holidays, they may well witness the evidence of the activities discussed here. Opening with a riff on Clement C. Moore's classic "A Visit From St. Nicholas," the narrative describes the efforts of zoo personnel and many volunteers as they prepare "Christmas presents" for the animals in their charge. Treats including fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats are cut into holiday shapes, and toys, for play and enrichment opportunities, are gift-wrapped, decorated, and delivered by Santa so that the animals can enjoy nourishing, healthy snacks and revel in entertaining fun. Giraffes munch on kale wreaths; otters, penguins, and polar bears enjoy fish encased in ice blocks; tigers pounce on papier-mâché "zebras"; seals play with balls; and hippos chew edible stars off trees in their enclosures. And, like many young children and pets, zoo animals adore ripping up wrapping paper and ribbon. The dynamic, colorful digital illustrations will elicit big smiles from animal lovers. Human characters are diverse in terms of age and race; Santa presents white. A winning treat for yuletide collections and displays. (information on how real zoos observe Christmas)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.