Curious George

Revisiting the original book about everyone’s favorite chimpanzee, Curious George by Margret and H.A. Ray, I was surprised by some of the details I’d forgotten as a child.  Of course, The Man with the Yellow Hat baits and captures George, removing him from his African homeland and ultimately placing him in a zoo — there’s that.  But there is also the bit where George smokes a pipe and another part where George is placed in prison.

I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t love Curious George’s sense of adventure, but there’s lots to talk about after you read the original book.  What, for example, is the difference between the prison and the zoo?  Why would George love one and not the other?  (I’d also throw in a quick chat about the dangers of smoking.)

Ages 4-8.

A related note: There was a lot of controversy surrounding the release of the Curious George movie several years ago.  What did you think?  I’ve yet to see it, but kiddo and I love Jack Johnson’s soundtrack.

Five Lost Chicks

This cute little board book by Jane Brett and Kate Davies teaches little kids counting while demonstrating a mother hen’s love for her brood.  The farm is idyllic — picture Farm Sanctuary or Poplar Spring — unlike industrial factory farms.  But given the target audience, I think it’s just right.

Ages 0-3.

That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals: Guest Post by Carolyn M. Mullin

Newcomer to the publishing world, illustrator and now author Ruby Roth is making waves with That’s Why We Don’t Eat Animals: A Book About Vegans, Vegetarians, and All Living Things. Her stunning artwork mesmerizes readers with visits to the Amazon Rainforest and the marvels of the big blue ocean, all while portraying the sentient nature of animals, or “earthlings,” and how they suffer when deprived of the basics (family, friends and a sound living environment) or placed in factory farm settings.

Touching upon many important issues such as hunting, over fishing, global warming, food choices, and others, this book is sure to be a wonderful conversation starter between children and their adult counterparts for many story times to come.

After reading the book, kids can visit the Farm Sanctuary’s Kidz Club for interactive activities, games, “how-to-help” ideas, and other resources pertinent to the factory farming issues learned about in the book. Teachers, parents and educators are also encouraged to contact Farm Sanctuary for humane education materials or assistance, some of which is available for download.

Appropriate for ages 4-10.

About Carolyn: Carolyn M. Mullin is Farm Sanctuary’s Kidz Club Coordinator and has worked extensively with youth as an AmeriCorps reading tutor for K-3, humane educator for Northern California students and a camp counselor at a nature preserve for too many summers to count. A native of Miami, she enjoys working on the sanctuary and watching the pigs take mud baths from her office window.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

I remember loving Beatrix Potter’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit when I was a little girl, so it’s fun to look at it again as an adult.  While it’s true that the animals wear shoes and jackets (which is a little strange), I still love the mischievous Peter and his narrow escape from Mr. McGregor, whose garden he raids.

As an adult, I have found even more to admire in this sweet little book.  I, for one, could stand to learn from Mrs. Rabbit’s unwavering patience with Peter — especially in comparison to Mr. McGregor’s terrible temper.   And I hope my daughter takes a cue from Peter’s love of veggies.

Top that all off with the fact that the illustrations are delightful, no matter how many times we look at them, and this classic book remains one of our all-time favorites.

Ages 4-8.  For games and activities related to the book, visit PeterRabbit.com.

The Digging-est Dog

Kiddo loves The Digging-est Dog by Al Perkins and Eric Gurney, but I’m not so crazy about it.

Told from the dog’s point of view, the story has a somber but promising start: “I was the saddest dog you could ever see,/ Sad because no one wanted me./ The pet shop window was my jail./ The sign behind me said, ‘For Sale.’”

Unfortunately, the remainder of the story has myriad problems from an animal welfare perspective.  First, the boy must purchase the dog’s freedom, essentially supporting the industry that has neglected and abused him.  Second, the dog has to live outside in  a doghouse instead of being welcomed into the family home.  Plus, the book portrays the boy milking a cow — with no mention of what has happened to her calf.

The worst part, however, occurs when the boy teaches the dog to dig and the dog happily digs, digs, digs all over town.  In precisely this moment of bliss, the boy scolds the dog and threatens to send him back to the pet store.  The frightened dog responds by (literally) digging himself into a huge hole.

Thank goodness this story has a happy ending, in which the boy and the neighborhood dogs rescue the dog in the hole.  Still, I have to admit that every time kiddo pulls out this book, I cringe.

Ages 4-8.  For other reviews, visit Goodreads.

The Very Busy Spider

Spiders have a special status in our home.  Rather than shoo them outside — as we do for other bugs — we let spiders stay, at least for a little while.

It’s not surprising then that Eric Carle’s classic board book, The Very Busy Spider, is also a favorite around here.  The story follows the day of a barnyard spider, who is too busy spinning her web to respond to the other animals’ invitations.  When at last the web is complete, the rooster runs over to ask if she’d like to help him catch a fly.  Her response?  She catches the fly in her web “… just like that!”

While this isn’t a very nice book from the fly’s perspective, I appreciate Mr. Carle’s interest in spiders.  Besides, the fact that some animals eat other animals is a reality that all vegan and vegetarian parents need to confront at some point — might as well deal with it early.

Ages 0-4.   For homeschool or classroom activities related to the book, click here or here.

Speak! Children’s Book Illustrators Brag About Their Dogs

Check out the stories, poems, and (most importantly) pictures of the dogs loved by Lucy Cousins, Barbara Westman, Lisa Campbell Ernst, Wendell Minor, Betsey Everitt, and other children’s book illustrators.

From the sweet to the sublime, these brief write-ups capture some of the intimate moments people share with their canine companions.

Ages 9-12.

Biscuit

Biscuit, the little golden pup in Alyssa Satin Capucilli and Pat Schories’s early reader book, wants all the same things as kids do when he’s getting ready for bed.  He wants a snack, a drink, a kiss, a hug, one more story, the light on … and his young friend patiently provides them all.  By the end of the night, he’s curled up next to her bed and the two are sharing the duvet.

Little kids will identify with Biscuit and will learn that companion animals need lots of love, care, and attention.

Ages 4-6.

Berenstains’ A Book

Stan and Jan Berenstain’s silly book introduces readers to words that begin with A by following a trail of ants “across an apple and an acorn, across an apricot, an ax, and an angleworm” … all the way to an anteater and an anthill.  The anteater is busy tying on a napkin and preparing for a tasty treat, when CHOMP! — the ants take a bite on her tail, causing her to make a hasty retreat and leave their friends in peace.

Kids might need to be told that what appears to be physical violence — biting — only causes the anteater momentary discomfort because the ants are so small.  But they will certainly understand that animals don’t want to be eaten.

Ages 4-8.

Shark Tale

Last night, my husband and I enjoyed the zany antics and fun music of “Shark Tale” on DVD.  Geared to older kids, the movie is still too mature for kiddo.

Vegetarian kids will love that Lenny the Shark (Jack Black) shares their outlook on life, and all kids can benefit from this movie’s message about the importance of being true to yourself and accepting those you love.

You may want to talk to your kids about how this movie challenges stereotypes (with a vegetarian Great White shark) and how it perpetuates them (portraying “Italian-American” sharks as mobsters).   Also, consider visiting PETA’s FishingHurts.com to get the inside scoop on what shark behavior featured in the film is cartoon fiction and what’s based on reality.

Rated PG.  Appropriate for ages 8-12.  For another perspective, visit Common Sense Media.