Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo (Paperback)

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same—their steadfast love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo Digger tries to imitate the various animals they see while Daisy tries to tell him what he can and cannot do.

Kirkus Reviews

In this early reader, a dog learns from his sister what he can and cannot do like other animals on a visit to the zoo.

It is a hot day, so Digger, a spirited pup, and his older sister, Daisy, decide to go to the zoo. “Digger and Daisy look at birds. They see big birds. They see little birds. / Red birds. Green birds. Yellow and blue birds, too.” There is a nice rhythm to that, and it’s accompanied by nice cartoony artwork that readers will relate to, since, despite its subtle sophistication and adept lines, they might fancy they could do the same. Digger tries to imitate a flamingo standing on one leg, and he tumbles over. His sister tells him that he can’t do that but that he can walk on two legs. On through the zoo. “I want to climb a tree,” says Digger, inspired by monkeys. No chance. But his sister reminds him that he can climb stairs, till they are eye to eye with the giraffe. When they spy the duck pond, Digger asks if he might go in. His sister concurs, but Digger balks, since he had failed so many times that day. But his sister encourages him, until he takes the plunge. It’s a lovely little tribute to sibling camaraderie.

Like Daisy encouraging Digger to dive, this work is a welcoming invitation to read and a sweet encouragement to spend time with siblings. (Early reader. 4-6)