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Book Review: The Complete Zoo Adventure by Mary and Gary Parker


160 Pages • Spiralbound, Hardcover, Published by Master Books (a division of New Leaf Publishing Group)

About the Author
Dr. Gary Parker has a B.A. in Biology/Chemistry from Wabash College, Crawfordville, IN, a M.S. in Biology/Physiology, and an Ed.D. in Biology with a cognate in Paleontology from Ball State University. Dr. Parker earned several academic awards, including admission to Phi Beta Kappa, election to the American Society of Zoologists, and a fifteen-month fellowship award from the National Science Foundation. He has taught biology at Eastern Baptist College, Dordt College, Clearwater Christian College, Christian Heritage College, and ICR's Graduate School. Dr. Parker and his wife, Mary, live in Florida and this is the sixth book he has written for Master Books.
The Complete Zoo Adventure is a unique book that will educate and entertain animal lovers anywhere. It's practically a field trip in a book. A trip to the zoo will never be the same :). The book is divided into 3 main sections: "Before the Zoo," "At the Zoo," and "After the Zoo." The first section includes a planning calendar, 7 devotionals, 7 creation lessons ("Looking Ahead"), and field trip prep time. The second section includes 27 encounters with God's creatures, Hooty's smart rules, 27 field fact cards, 7 biome cards, 3 field journals, and 12 name badges (the last four items are all packed in the tool kit which is attached to the inside back cover). The last section includes questions for discussion, 35 reproducible activity sheets, suggestions for group activities, Scripture memory texts, and professional educator notes for parents/teachers. The animals covered in this book are organized into 5 different categories: Birds, Paws & Claws, Hooves, Reptiles, and Amphibians. A zoo glossary is included at the end of the book.

I enjoyed using the book with my sons. I appreciate the clear creation message presented throughout the book. The photos are beautiful and colorful. Every chapter points to our Creator. It's a great field guide that will enhance your zoo experience. God is totally awesome! His creation definitely reflects that. My kids and I love discovering all the cool facts about these incredible creatures that God made.

Did you know...
that an eagle can spot an animal the size of a rabbit from a height of 10,500 feet?
that meerkats are immune to most venoms, including that of cobras?
that tortoises can go without eating or drinking for up to a year?
that the flying tree frog spreads its webbed feet to make four parachutes and glide gracefully?

~I received a free copy of this book from New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

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