Zoo Overnight Level 19-20

Zoo Overnight tells the story of Jenny and Ben, who win a special overnight stay at the zoo through the local library's holiday program. While Jenny is nervous about being away from home, Ben finds a thoughtful way to support her, making this an uplifting story about friendship, courage, and problem-solving. The book includes clear, engaging instructions for creating a zoo diorama, blending narrative with procedural text. Featuring characters from Ready Set Go!, the story integrates dialogue, descriptive setting, and specific zoo-related vocabulary. Students are encouraged to practise inference, understand emotional responses, and follow multi-step written instructions-making this a rich and varied text for classroom use.

Educational Benefits:

• Develops inferencing and emotional literacy through character interaction.
• Supports understanding of procedural text with hands-on application.
• Enhances vocabulary related to habitats and zoo environments.
• Strengthens decoding skills using digraphs and blends.

Classroom Ideas:

• Have students create their own zoo diorama using the book's instructions.
• Discuss feelings about sleepovers and create story maps showing emotions.
• Explore animal habitats and classify zoo animals by environment.
• Practise writing instructions for a different diorama or craft activity.

Safety & Information:

• Suitable for ages 6+
• Book size: 150mm x 210mm
• Includes instructions for a safe diorama activity (adult supervision recommended)
• Non-toxic, printed on child-safe materials