Panda-monium at Peek Zoo

PreS-Gr 1—Zookeeper Peek, in his bottle-green suit, prepares for a celebration of the new baby panda, but his to-do list is so long that he keeps getting distracted. An open gate allows penguins to follow him, tortoises are shoe-blacked instead of polished, and the thermostat in the polar habitat pool is turned to hot. Luckily, young Jimmy Peek helps correct mishaps-except for locating the missing guest of honor. Mr. Peek brainstorms a "special prize today for the first visitor to spot the baby panda," who sits in the cage of an unfed lion. But Jimmy saves the day with a can of Roar for Hungry Lions, so a gatefold of an animal parade concludes the festivities. Waldron's large cartoons of retro-clad people and use of varying typefaces add to the commotion. Sly views of the panda's covert journey keep concern at bay. An appealing addition.—Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA