Discover Rod Campbell's children's books with reviews | Toppsta

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Rod Campbell

5 stars across 150 books

Rod Campbell’s Biography
Rod Campbell has been writing and illustrating children's books for over 35 years. He is best known for his classic lift-the-flap title Dear Zoo, which has sold over two million copies worldwide. The latest hardback edition of Dear Zoo was published this year to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Rod also is creator of the much-loved preschool character Buster. His books are popular for preschool children which are ingeniously simple with touches of gentle humour.

Rod Campbell Facts
Rod Campbell was born in Scotland in 1945 and brought up in Zimbabwe. He returned to Britain where he completed a doctorate in organic chemistry. He moved into publishing in 1980 when he started designing interactive books for babies and toddlers.

In 1987, he founded the Campbell Blackie Books in partnership with his publisher Blackie. Campbell Books was sold in 1995 to Macmillan Publishers.

Our favourite Rod Campbell Book Characters
Buster – from the Buster series
All the zoo animals! – from Dear Zoo

Our favourite Rod Campbell Book Quotes
“Buster loves to visit the bears. They’re having a rest, but baby bear is wide awake!” (Buster’s Zoo)

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Publication Date

Series

Dear Zoo

2nd July 2010

Dear Zoo

Lift the flaps and join in the fun with Rod Campbell's classic, Dear Zoo , with a host of favourite zoo animals a... MoreDear Zoo

(398 reviews) Review

Dear Santa

1st August 2014

Dear Santa

It's December and Santa wants to know what everyone wants for Christmas, as long as you've been good girls and boys! Mic... MoreDear Santa

(50 reviews) Review

Oh Dear!

7th May 2010

Oh Dear!

Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo , has been a trusted name in early learni... MoreOh Dear!

(20 reviews) Review

Oh Dear!: A lift-the-flap book

22nd March 2018

Oh Dear!: A lift-the-flap book

A lift-the-flap farmyard story from Rod Campbell, the creator of the bestselling preschool classic, Dear Zoo . ... MoreOh Dear!: A lift-the-flap book

(19 reviews) Review

Dear Santa

5th October 2007

Dear Santa

A letter to Santa starts off on a merry chain of gift-wrapping, but nothing is quite right and each time, he thinks bett... MoreDear Santa

(17 reviews) Review

Noisy Farm: A lift-the-flap book

9th January 2020

Noisy Farm: A lift-the-flap book

Join Sam the farm dog for a day on the farm to meet lots of animals and their babies in this interactive lift-the-flap s... MoreNoisy Farm: A lift-the-flap book

(15 reviews) Review

Buster's Zoo

10th May 2012

Buster's Zoo

Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo , has been a trusted name in early learni... MoreBuster's Zoo

(11 reviews) Review

Noisy Farm

1st January 2014

Noisy Farm

Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo , has been a trusted name in early learni... MoreNoisy Farm

(8 reviews) Review

My Presents

1st January 2015

My Presents

Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo , has been a trusted name in early learni... MoreMy Presents

(6 reviews) Review

ABC Zoo

1st January 2014

ABC Zoo

Rod Campbell, the creator of the preschool lift-the-flap classic Dear Zoo , has been a trusted name in early learni... MoreABC Zoo

(5 reviews) Review

Show More Books

New Book

Dear Santa: 20th Anniversary Edition

25th September 2025

(0 reviews)

Coming Soon

Dear Zoo Magic Painting

Other

25th March 2027

Recent Reviews

Dear Zoo

by EL24

Our family love Dear Zoo! It's always a favourite that we read over and over again, and the girls love lifting the flaps to find the animals and makin...
Dear Zoo: The Lift-the-flap Preschool Classic

by Tedblue

We loved sharing this book about asking the zoo for an animal. Good interaction with the flaps and the surprise of seeing what was underneath. Lovely ...
Dear Zoo

by Nicolelouise

This book has been on our shelf for years! Even our youngest is outgrowing simple board books a little but still loves to pick this one out. They love...