Papa and Jason’s Backyard Zoo

By Angela Ivery and Curtis L. Ivery

Summer just isn’t summer without Jason, a native of Amarillo, Texas, visiting his beloved Papa in Detroit, Michigan. But this summer is like no other, and the antics are almost more than Jason can handle. After a visit to the pet shop and a sudden parade of surprises, the fun-seeking 11-year-old ends up with an entire menagerie of zany critters. The result is one hilarious misadventure after another as he copes with the demands of his new animal friends and learns the meaning of responsibility. Papa and Jason’s Backyard Zoo is book six in Curtis L. Ivery and Angela Ivery’s popular Papa and Jason series, that includes Papa Take My Hand, Papa and Jason Meet The Rivershark, Papa and Jason Go to Africa. Papa and Jason’s Christmas Magic and How Papa and Jason Chased Away the Bullies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781698713892

Angela Ivery

Curtis Ivery, Ph.D., a nationally renowned leader in Urban American Aairs and recipient of the CEO of the Year Award, 2022. He is the author of fifteen books, he has written articles for national and local newspapers and magazines. Ivery and his wife, Ola, live in Detroit. Curtis and Ola Ivery’s daughter, Angela Ivery, began creating whole worlds and beloved characters in a series of stories as a young girl, and has been writing ever since. A graduate of Texas A&M University’s journalism program, Angela also earned her MBA in Information Technology from Dallas Baptist University. Angela currently resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For ages 8 through 11. Artwork by Boris Kim Graphic Design by Jasmine Harris of Cr8ive Minds

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Copyright 2023 Angela Ivery & Curtis L. Ivery.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN:

978-1-6987-1391-5 (sc)

ISBN:

978-1-6987-1390-8 (hc)

ISBN:

978-1-6987-1389-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023900855

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

COVER DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS: Boris Kim

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Jasmine Harris of Cr8ive Minds

Trafford rev. 01/17/2023

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Dedicated to Noah, Myles, and Mason

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Which Way Did He Go?

Chapter 2 Do Dreams Come True?

Chapter 3 The Sneaky Stranger

Chapter 4 Looking for Mr. Nexit

Chapter 5 Papa’s Hiccups

Chapter 6 One Big Mess

Chapter 7 The Stare Down Contest

Chapter 8 A Wild and Crazy Nightmare

Chapter 9 Puddles to The Rescue

Chapter 10 Mr. Spike’s Big Secret

Chapter 11 Turtles and Tattletales

Chapter 12 Friendly Neighborhood Dragons

Chapter 13 Fumbling and Tumbling through The Darkness

Chapter 14 Fidget Goes Berserk

Chapter 15 Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Chapter 16 The Big Reward

Iguana Fun Facts

Vocabulary Words

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ONE

Which Way Did He Go?

Papa reached into a large cage and pulled out a light-brown puppy with huge, round eyes and black spots all over his back.

Those spots look like puddles, Jason laughed as Papa handed him the puppy. That’s what I think I’ll call him. His name is Puddles.

Well, well, well, said Papa, naming him already? I thought I’d get a chance to come up with a few suggestions.

Oh yeah, that’s right, Jason said. What would you like to call him, Papa?

Papa walked over to the pet store counter and opened his wallet. Puddles is a fine name, he said, winking at Jason. I’m just teasing you.

After Papa finished paying for Puddles, he and Jason walked out of the store with their new puppy and a plastic bag filled with squeaky doggie toys, a blue collar with bells, a super long leash, and lots of chewy treats. Jason was holding Puddles and laughing as he squirmed in his arms and licked his chin and cheeks.

Hold on to him tight, Papa said. Puppies are frisky. They can get away.

But it was too late. Puddles was squeezing out of Jason’s arms and climbing over his shoulder. Jason hugged him tighter. But that wasn’t enough to get Puddles under control. He leapt onto the ground and Jason fell beside him, gripping his hind legs. Puddles whined and Papa pulled a collar and leash out of the plastic bag.

Here, keep this collar on him at all times, Papa said.

Jason stood up and held on to Puddles with all of his might while his papa buckled the collar around his neck.

There, he said, as he and Jason left the store. Now make sure you have him on a leash every time you take him outside. Okay?

Jason didn’t answer. He was placing Puddles onto the sidewalk and peeking in the window of the exotic animal shop next door. This shop was much larger than the one where Puddles once lived. It was filled with assorted cages of all sizes and spacious glass containers. Jason pressed his ear against the window and wondered why he didn’t hear a single sound. None of the animals were howling, chirping, or barking.

Wait a minute, Papa said. We have a dog. I know you’re not thinking of getting a cat!

No, not a cat! Papa, look at the poster on the door.

Papa looked past Jason