THE COLDEST DAY IN THE ZOO & THE WILDEST DAY AT THE ZOO

These two zoo stories are utterly charming and side-splittingly funny. When the heat conks out at the zoo, each animal's keeper must take an animal home. Narrator Brian Bowles is endearing as each character, whether human or animal, and his presentation of Rusbridger's alliteration enhances the clever writing. In the second story, Mr. Pickles, the zoo director, has keepers swap animals for one day. Again the results are hilarious. Bowles, who has done impressions for the Spitting Image series, is outstanding as he quotes a keeper's note and a manual on animal behavior. He also makes sound effects out of words, subtly enriching his presentation. Kids will laugh and learn about animals and zoos in this duo. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]