Designed for children just learning to read, the books combine John Bianchi's wonky cartoon animals with a simple, repetitive text by children's author Frank B. Edwards.These two patterned stories are built around groups of key words that give young readers confidence to read aloud. As they master the text, children enthusiastically read the books again and again -- delighting in the zany plots and their own ability to read. By adding subtle touches of humor throughout the stories, Edwards and Bianchi ensure that adults and children alike will not grow bored from repeated readings.The zoo animals hate being dirty equipped with towels and other bathing necessities, they go to the zookeeper and ask for her help."I am dirty. I want to be clean", they each tell her.Handing each one a bar of soap, she instructs them to go to the tub "and scrub with soap". But as more and more bubbles creep into the story, it becomes obvious that there is some serious trouble with the bubbles. Faced with a mountain of suds, the keeper realizes the animals have used too much soap. Adding more water solves the problem and the animals get back to their scrubbing with enthusiasm. "Thank you", they call. "Now we are clean".