Leo and Emily's Zoo

From Publishers Weekly In the fourth book about Leo and Emily, the enterprising pair decides to create a backyard zoo since they can't afford to visit a real one. A gratifying crowd queues up for opening day, but disaster threatens, for the animalsgoldfish, rabbits, newtshave gone into hiding. Dressed in makeshift animal costumes, the children's parents come to the rescue, filling in for the exhibits the zoo lacks. The neighbors leave convinced the show has been worth the price of admission, and the young entrepreneurs have raised enough money for a trip to the zoo. Once again Brandenberg provides sprightly humor and entertainmentqualities mirrored in Abolafia's loose, expressive watercolors. The only disappointment lies in the resolution: readers may wish that Leo and Emily's own resourcefulness (rather than their parents' rescue) had saved the day. But the fabulously silly sight of adults dressed as zoo animals is ample compensation. Ages 3-up. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2 Leo and Emily, stars of three previous books, appear once again. This time the two children covet a trip to a zoo, and they decide to earn the money by opening their own backyard zoo in Leo's backyard. On the day of the grand opening, the neighborhood children line up to pay their 10? admission. But without lions, giraffes, and other usual zoo animals, the children become disappointed and begin to leaveuntil Leo and Emily's parents and grandparents save the day by appearing in costume as wild animals in cages (behind a yard fence). The successful zoo yields enough money for a trip to the real zoo. Abolafia's illustrations are softly colored and enhance the text by adding visual details to a believable story. This is a nice package, showing once again that the two friends can solve their own problemswith some well placed help. Cheers for parents who love their children enough to save the day even when they don't receive a thank you. And cheers for another comfortable story featuring Leo and Emily. Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IowaCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.