Troo Makes a Splash - Review/GIVEAWAY

Troo and his friend, Keewa, want to swim in a calm pool, but Rilla the water rat won't tell them where her pool is...

"...She'll never tell," said Keewa.  "Her pool is her biggest secret..."

So Troo decides to make his own pool by damming up the river, but how will his "play-time" effect the rest of the rain forest critters?  Find out in, Troo Makes a Splash by Cheryl Crouch.

This is a perfect book for your young emergent reader.  It isn't only fun, but it illustrates God's principle of putting other's before ourselves.  The illustrations by Kevin Zimmer add flavour to the story and will keep your child amused to the very last page.

For more information on, Troo Make a Splash or any other Rain forest Friends - I Can Read Series check out Zondervan

Here's your chance to win all three Troo books!  Just leave me a comment in this or any of the Troo blogspots.  I will draw for a random winner on Monday April 25'th.

Good Luck!

National Geographic Kids - Almanac 2011

I love National Geographic!  Their publications have stood the test of time and are always guaranteed to be fascinating and full of the weird, wacky and just plain strange.

Now from the makers of National Geographic Kids comes the brand new 2011 Almanac.  This book is loaded with interesting information, facts, pictures, games, and so much more. 

Check out;

~  Your World ~ Life on Mars?
                        ~ Eruption as Seen from Space
                        ~ See-Through Fish
                        ~ And More!

~  Amazing Animals ~ Insects
                                  ~ Animals in Peril
                                  ~ Big Cats
                                  ~ And More!

~  Going Green  ~ Energy
                           ~ Our Fragile Earth
                           ~ Homework Help
                           ~ And More!

~  Super Science ~ Life
                            ~ Space
                            ~ Constellations
                            ~ And More!

~  Geography Rocks ~ Maps
                                   ~ Continents
                                   ~ Countries
                                   ~ And More!

~  History Happens ~ Government
                                 ~ Presidents
                                 ~ First Ladies
                                 ~ And More!

~  Culture Connections ~ Around the World
                                       ~ Holidays
                                       ~ Food
                                       ~ And More!

~  Awesome Adventures ~ Exploration
                                         ~ No Limits
                                         ~ Homework Help
                                         ~ And More!

~  Wonders of Nature ~ Weather
                                     ~ Life Zones
                                     ~ Rocks and Minerals
                                     ~ And More!

~  Future World ~ And Away We Go!

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 is 340 pages packed full of adventure and fun.  It boasts more than 15 homework-helper sections, 50 plus, puzzles, projects, and really cool experiments. More than 500 pictures of our planet and all that’s on it and over 5,000 fun and amazing facts.  In addition, watch for Zipper the virtual pet dog who will alert you to some cool clicks on the web.

What kid wouldn't love the gift of world adventure for Christmas?  To order National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011 directly click here or look where ever books are sold.

Check out National Geographic Kids on the web at; http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

Tips on How To Include Your Dog this Halloween

Written by Stacy Braverman, Founder of BNYdogs.com

Have you bought enough doggie biscuits to give out to trick or treaters this Halloween? That’s right, doggie biscuits. But whatever you do, don't give them to the kids – it may anger some parents in the neighborhood! You should be prepared, however, to have some biscuits for those four-footed ghost and goblins that may bark at your door this Halloween.

We mustn't leave out our pets when celebrating special occasions – and Halloween is no exception. Ever noticed the glare and stare from Fido when everyone is getting dressed up for Halloween, laughing, having a wonderful time – and he's left out just because he's a dog?

B**ch New York (http://www.bnydogs.com/) has one thing on their minds -- our doggie loved ones – and they have created fun ways to involve your pet in every special occasion.

Here are just a few suggestions from B**ch New York to make this Halloween season the best ever:

Watch Fido's eyes light up when you put on the this latest tiger costume. WARNING: don't be surprised if you notice some new found courage or larger than life roar while in costume.

Can you say food? One of the most popular shows on cable TV these days is The Food Network. I love the competitive nature of the male chefs; the warm personality of the female chefs. This year you can dress up your doggie after your favorite Food Network personality! Don't tell Paula Dean, but doesn't this beautiful doggie chef resemble her a bit?

Sports are a favorite past time for people and doggies too! Halloween wouldn't be the same without a football costume... Check out this cool costume for Fido. If you have teenage boys, they might throw the dog though, so this football costume would probably be a safer choice while still keeping with the football spirit.

We are a country of proud Americans and that is demonstrated by millions across this great country every day. Well, this may be news to you, but our doggies are proud Americans too and they want to support this great nation this Halloween by dressing up in her colors. Check out this Uncle Sam Costume for Fido and Lady too... They will look great this Halloween and will walk tall and proud in their patriotic costumes.

Don't forget to stock up on special doggie treats this Halloween Season... Don't worry, if you have left-overs, all doggie treats will be gone in no time and Fido will love you for it!

If sweets are not an option for your pet, be sure to spoil him with an unforgettable Halloween dinner. Check out these scrumptious meals they will remember until next Halloween: Chicken and Fried Rice, Organic Bison or a Veg to Bowl for our vegetarian friends - we aim to please all of our doggy appetites.

If you haven't started brushing your doggie’s teeth, this Halloween would be a great time start. Clean teeth and fresh breath are essential for your doggie’s love life and a welcome response from you with all those wet kisses he loves to give you! Regular oral hygiene will ensure your doggie’s teeth are healthy, fresh and white.

What a great Halloween it's going to be for you and your pet this year! Make sure to take lots of pictures of your doggie in costume - there will be many Halloween memories to share together for many years to come and BNY wants to put a few of our best doggies in costume in the spot light! All you need to do is send in your pics and we're going to pick the top three doggies to profile in a story and give him or her their 30 seconds of fame. The top three winners will also be able to pick a gift of their choice from our doggie accessory store. Good luck to all and we hope this year will be the best Halloween ever for you and your beloved companion.

BNY is proud to make contributions to benefit the welfare of animals. We regularly donate merchandise and proceeds to charitable events that surround the animal community. Check out BNY to read more about our charity work or if you would like to donate something to the cause.

I Am Me and You Are You - Review

Does a toad have silky hair or a centipede a chin?

I Am Me and You Are You is a delightful book about why it's great to be ourselves.

This book is simple, yet delivers a powerful message on self-esteem.  The Author, Eva Marie Cote uses animals to demonstrate how silly it would be if squirrels had feathers and a beak or a kangaroo had puffy cheeks.

The cute illustrations by Tom Myers will draw your children into the story and reinforce the idea of being yourself.

This book is a "must have" for your home library.

I Am Me and You Are You is available here

Ten Hats A Counting Book - Review

Ten hats hang on a hook, who do they belong to?  A whole host of fun and lively characters that will sure to engage your little one.

Ten Hats A Counting Book by Carolyn Mott Ford is a delightful book for young readers.  It starts off with ten hats, each being worn by a different animal with a different career.  The final hat is a graduate hat being worn by a young bunny with the words "you can be anything you want to be..."

Ten Hats A Counting Book is not only a wonderful way to help children learn their math, but it also shows the many possiblities the world holds for them.

To learn more about Ten Hats A Counting Book, check out E & E Group Publishing at; http://www.EandEGroup.com/Publishing

This book is also available on Amazon.com

What's New at the Cafe?

Krumbs Pet-Detective, Feline-Fact-Thieves
FREE pdf Book

What's new at Imagination-Cafe Magazine? The Feline-Fact-Thieves, that's what. These kitty-culprits are on the loose and we need your help in catching them. Each feline comes with his own story and why he's turned to the life of question-nabbing-crime.

Krumbs, one of Imagination-Cafe's mascots, has turned pet-detective but needs your kids' help. Just visit Imagination-Cafe.com, click on the header to view or download the FREE pdf book on all the Kitty Culprits. Once you're done there, click the link to visit Krumb's official site to leave a question - Five questions will lure the Feline-Fact-Thief and put him behind bars.

To add extra fun for your kids' after each kitty is found we will add all the questions to the pdf file (using first names only) so your kids can actually view their contribution to the game.

It's totally FREE, fun and educational. Check it out at; http://imagination-cafe.com/

Good Luck!

Cool Zoo IQ at the Cafe

What's happening over at Imagination-Cafe? Check out the latest addition to the Doggy Bag section - Zoo IQ.

Do you know the difference between a monkey and an ape? How 'bout a crocodile and an alligator?

Zoo IQ by Rose Quarels takes a fun look at the difference between these often mistaken identities.

So grab the kids and head on over to the coolest cafe around, where you'll not only have a higher Zoo IQ, but you'll find tonnes of fun, safe and FREE things for the kids to do.

Feed Your Mind at Imagination-Cafe - http://imagination-cafe.com/

Jonathan Balcombe - Interview

To wrap up all things furry and feathered week, I have a special treat, my interview with Ethologist and author of Second Nature - Jonathan Balcombe. Check it out below.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am an Ethologist—a biologist who specializes in the study of animal behavior. I am also an advocate of animals to the fullest degree. I support efforts to protect animals and their living spaces, and I repudiate all activities that unnecessarily or gratuitously harm animals, including their use as sources of meat and dairy products, in harmful research and testing, and where they are harmed as forms of entertainment or recreation. Among my personal pleasures are painting, playing the piano, bird/nature-watching, vegan baking, and trying to understand the cats (and, I confess, the humans) I live with.

How did you become interested in animals and their behaviour?

From my earliest memories I've been fascinated by animals and what they do. How do they perceive the world? What are they thinking? How do they solve the challenges that their living environments present them with? What are their particular sources of pleasure? Etc.

How long have you been in this field?

Professionally, I've been an Ethologist since around 1978, when I decided to major in biology as an undergraduate student. Unofficially, I've been studying animal behavior since around age five, when I first began venturing into the garden to find insects and making my elbows raw by watching ants for hours on end.

Does it just become more fascinating?

The more I learn about animals and their ways, the more fascinating it becomes. The closer one looks, the more there is to discover. As much as I notice animals, I notice people often failing to notice them. I sit at an outdoor cafe and surreptitiously drop crumbs to watch the house sparrows who come foraging for them. I admire the quickness and accuracy with which they pluck tiny tidbits from the ground. I notice them glancing up at me every second or so—monitoring that big, lumbering fleshy creature up there. I can't resist twitching a foot and noticing that they flinch briefly before continuing. I notice the rusty tones on the male's neck and two ochre patches on the back and marvel at the beautiful job that that million year old artist we call “nature” did. I notice that I'm the only one watching and I think how much people are missing right at their feet.

In your opinion, if people who hunt for sport realized "the inner lives of animals" would they still be hunting?

I think that hunting, like all forms of animal abuse, requires a switching off of empathy. I suspect that few hunters lack empathy; it is just culturally and socially suppressed. I like to think that many hunters who realized the inner lives of animals would soon be hunting for a new pastime.

Most people who are intune to their pets know and believe they possess a certain personality - how can we get non-pet people to recognize this in animals, domesticated or other-wise?

As an Ethologist and animal protector, I try to use my knowledge and skill to provide the public with information that may influence their view of animals. There are a lot of exciting scientific discoveries on animals these days, but it tends to get buried in the academic journals and texts. Through my books, blogs and other writings I try to make this information more accessible to people, many of who are interested and hunger for such information. Information is powerful because knowledge leads to change. And we need a major change in our relationship to animals.

What are your views on using animals in testing? Zoos? Circuses?

I have a simple rule that informs my opinion of our uses of animals: would I accept treating humans that way? If my answer is “no,” then I'm generally opposed to it. So obviously I oppose using animals to test products that are likely to harm them. I oppose the use of elephants, big cats and other exotic animals in circuses, where they live in deplorable conditions of confinement and discomfort, and where arcane views of human control and superiority are reinforced. I don't necessarily oppose domestic dogs performing in circuses provided they are happy doing so, and I think many are. Similarly, I oppose most forms of captivity in zoos. There might be some creatures whose quality of life is not compromised by captivity. Maybe, for example, some lizards if they have a decent habitat and can bask in the sun, forage, and chose their social partners, or well-fed hissing cockroaches with room to run around, hide and generally act like cockroaches. I think common sense can inform some of these decisions. We need to understand animals' needs, and make honest assessments as to whether their quality of life is being compromised by what we're doing to them. If it is, then we should stop because we don't have to.

I once heard a vivisector say that “animal research is a necessity.” Not only is that arrogant—it is simply wrong. We don’t have to do it, we choose to. And we can and should choose to stop doing it.

Are we doing wild animals/birds/rodents any favours by feeding them? Or are we actually "killing them with kindness"

I assume you are referring to feeding birds in our back yards? I don't wholly oppose giving a bit back to animals after we've taken much of their living spaces away for our own. I think it should be done judiciously and in moderation. We certainly shouldn't feed bears and other wild animals in wilderness areas. In surburbia where many species have become more commensal with us, then I think some cases are acceptable.

Anything at all you'd like to add?

Anyone who's still reading this will know that I have plenty of opinions about animals. Whenever I'm interviewed in the media I urge people to take personal responsibility for starting to improve the animals' lot. The best, most immediate way to do that is to stop eating them. I'll be blunt: animal agriculture and meat-consumption are ruining the planet and causing untold (and unprecedented) amounts of animal suffering. Anne Frank said “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” I love the optimism of that statement, and how empowering it is.

Thanks so much again for your time, Dr. Balcombe :)

You can follow Dr. Balcombe's Blog at; http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-inner-lives-animals

Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals (Palgrave Macmillan, March 2010). Available at most bookstores. More info visit http://www.jonathanbalcombe.com/

The Zoopendous Surprise

Mary and Ellen over hear whisperings from the zoo keepers – A BIG surprise is in store for them and they can’t wait to find out what it is.

The Asian elephants visit each of their fellow zoo companions, but not one will reveal what’s in store for the lovable pair.

Mary and Ellen soon give up – they can’t even enjoy their daily bath. But just when they think they’ll never find out, the zookeepers open a huge box and everyone yells…"SURPRISE!!"

The Zoopendous Surprise by Boots Hensel, is a delightful picture book based on a true event that took place in the Arkansas Zoo. Mary and Ellen are indeed two elephants that are dear to the author’s heart – her daughter took care of them until she passed away from cancer in 2004.

I would highly recommend this book for any 4-8 year old. The story is sweet and the illustrations by Andrea Gabriel are bright and playful.

Check out Boots Hensel’s web site at; http://www.bootshensel.com/.

The Zoopendous Surprise is available on Amazon.com or check you local bookstore.