Book Review Old MacDonald Had a . . . Zoo? (Iza Trapanis Extended Nursery Rhymes)

This charming picture book puts a delightful spin on the classic farm song by introducing zoo animals to Old MacDonald's peaceful homestead. As elephants trumpet between the moo-moos and kangaroos bounce past the oink-oinks, young readers encounter both familiar farm animals and exotic zoo creatures through playful, rhyming text. The story builds beautifully with each new animal addition, creating an engaging read-aloud experience that encourages participation through its predictable, cumulative structure. Children will love predicting which animal might appear next as the farm grows increasingly chaotic with each turn of the page.

Trapani's watercolor illustrations burst with energy and humor, perfectly capturing the comic chaos of lions lounging in the barnyard and hippos splashing in the pond. The book cleverly expands vocabulary by introducing less common animals while maintaining the comforting familiarity of the original song's rhythm and repetition. This animal story particularly shines for children who already know the traditional version, offering the joy of recognizing the pattern while delighting in the unexpected twists. The satisfying resolution provides a gentle lesson about belonging and community that will resonate with young listeners long after the final page.