Class Two at the Zoo by Julia Jarman, illustrated by Lynee Chapman.

Sometimes books need to be shared simply because they are wonderful fun, and that is the case with this book.  If you are looking for something deep, meaningful, or cultural, keep on going.  But if instead you want a book to complete a storytime full of wiggly kids or just something great to put smiles on small faces, this is the book for you.

Class Two went to the zoo on a field trip.  They see all sorts of the things at the zoo, described in a rollicking rhyming style.  But they also DON’T see what the anaconda is up to.  The snake slowly creeps up behind the children and then starts eating them!  One by one.  It isn’t until little Molly notices what’s going on that everyone is saved and they all emerge wonderfully goopy from the snakes mouth.

The text of the book is rhyming and fun.  The pacing is delicious with a slow build up and then a frenzy of kid-munching in the middle.  The art adds so much to the book as the snake eats the children in different ways and you can see child-shaped bulges in the snake as he moves to the next child. 

I guarantee giggles, groans and gasps when you share this with children.  Appropriate for ages 4-6.  A wonderful choice for preschool story times as the closer.