http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html Get the latest information on children books from the Laughing Zebra Blog. You will learn when there are new activity pages, zoo news headlines from around the world and much more. en-us children books Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:03:36 GMT Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:03:36 GMT laughing-zebra-children-books.com http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Wright-on-Time-Utah-(book-2)-by-Lisa-Cottrell-Bentley So, lets kick this years Book of the Week off with the second book in the Wright on Time series. Utah, book 2. It is every bit as action packed as Lisas first book, Arizona. This time the Wright family has traveled to the state of Utah. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:43:55 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-My-Final-entry Good morning Bloggerville fans. Zebee here. I have some sad for me news. Today will be my last visit here at Zooprise Party / Fiesta Zoorpresa blog. You might see me pop in around the web on other blogs, but this will be my last post here. Ive had a lot of fun over these past two years talking with many of you, visiting with my boss Joys author friends and characters and going to zoos around the world. All good things come to an end, and this is it for us here at the V Zoo. So, with all that said, lets see what happened this week at the world zoos. Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:48:57 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Babies,-Safari-Lights-and-Volunteer-Call Good day Bloggerville zoo lovers. Zebee here. I know Im getting this out to you a bit late, but Anyway, lets get to it. Czech zoo sends rare Northern White rhinos to Kenya They say its a Dangerous plan. Why? Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:29:24 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Best-Christmas-Story-Ever! Star: I say it's "The Night Before Christmas." Billy: No it's "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Mori: My favorite is "Little Drummer Boy." Zebee: What's all this arguing about? Can't you see Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:17:47 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Creative-Wednesday:-What-Can-You-Make-of-This? This morning while I was thinking of ideas for today's post, I came up with three different ways to get your creative juices flowing. For the next three weeks I'll be giving you started ideas you can use and of course I'd love you to share what you come up with in the comments. Let's get started: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:06:11 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#The-Lighting-of-the-Tree-at-the-V-Zoo-Party-2009 Good morning, Zebee here. Boy! Did we have a great tree lighting party! So many of my boss Joys author friends came it was amazing. Many of them brought along their characters too. Lets see how many we can remember. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:57:13 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Wright-on-Time-Arizona-(book-1)-by-Lisa-Cottrell-Bentley Today I'd like to share what will prove to be a great series of mid grade adventure books. The books are about the Wright family. Dad, Harrison and mom, Stephanie are taking their two children 7 year old Aidan and 11 year old Nadia on an RV trip around the United States. They will be home schooled as well as get to see up close and personal the entire country. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:06:14 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Bears,-Sea-Lions-and-Treats! Good morning zoo lovers, Zebee here. Let's see what's happening at the zoos. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:47:49 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#A-Truly-Bilingual-Program-That-Works-Both-Ways When I read this article today, I just had to share. Finally, a school district that gets it. They are offering dual language classes from elementary up. The students that graduate from this program are fully bilingual and ready to face the challenges of the world better than most American students. Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:14:05 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-Review:-The-Christmas-Angel-by-Mary-Jean-Kelso Good morning book fans, Zebee and the gang here today. When our boss Joy read this story to us, we all wanted to go on our own adventure across the country. But more on that later. First lets read what Joy has to say about the story. Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:55:12 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Getting-Ready-For-This-Year's-Tree-Lighting-Ceremony Good morning to you all. Zebee here. To get you in the mood for Christmas this year, this is a picture of the central plaza in Caguas, Puerto Rico last year. Is'nt that one of the prettiest trees you've ever seen? Okay, as some of you might remember, last year at our tree lighting ceremony we had a few mishaps. Don't remember? Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:59:17 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Soap,-Soap,-Soap-by-Elizabeth-Dulemba Today we have a fun book to share with you. "Soap, soap, soap" is both written and illustrated by Elizabeth Dulemba. This is a fun filled bilingual story about Hugo, a young boy. His mam sends him to the store to buy soap or jabn. Follow Hugo's adventure to the store and see who he meets along the way. Watch out, or you might end up needing a bath by the end of the story. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:31:01 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Holiday-Fare-and-baby-names Good morning zoo fans, Zebee here. It's December and I'm in the holiday spirit. Are you? Many zoos have their holiday lights and displays up, zo be sure to make a date the visit your local zoo soon. So, on with the news from the week. See you at the end. Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:50:36 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Bilingual-Crossword-Puzzles When I was creating my activity book to go with "Zooprise Party/Fiesta Zoorpresa", I wanted to include crossword puzzles. they are great learning tools. But how could one be made bilingual? I could have made two puzzles, one in English and one in Spanish, but Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:13:50 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/word-gameszp.html Fun word games to go with Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:07:17 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-Review:-My-Grandmother's-Kitchen-Rules-by-Bill-Kirk Good Thursday everyone, Zebee here. When my boss Joy said that today's book was written by Bill Kirk, I got excited. I really like his book "There's a Spider in My Sink" that she read to us a while back. So, let's see what she has to say about this book of Bill's. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:50:36 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Creative-Wednesday:-What-Hapened-Next? Have you ever read a book to a child and had them ask you: "What happened next?" Do you say: they lived happily ever after? they went to sleep? or worst of all, nothing the story is over? So, what did happen next? Did the three Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:05:25 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#It's-December-1st!!! Good morning everyone! Zebee here. This is just a quick note today. See, my boss Joy has this tradition. December 1st is Christmas decorating day. We here at the V Zoo all join in the fun. We will help decorate our enclosures. The giraffes will help string lights and garlands at the highest points, Billy and his mom are in charge of the popcorn and cranberry stringing, Elvis is in charge of adding the lights and I am going to somehow put the angel on top of the tree. Want to see her? Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:58:54 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Annas-World-by-Wim-Coleman-and-Pat-Perrin Annas World is a book that takes you into the world of the Shakers back in the mid 1800s though the eyes of a fourteen-year-old girl, Anna. After a terrible flood and bout with Typhoid fever, Annas father leaves her in the care of the Shakers. With the promise to return for her, Anna is left to live, work and study with these strict hardworking people. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:48:40 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Christmas-at-the-Zoo Good chilly morning to all, Zebee here. My boss Joy says that Florida is cold, or at least colder than she remembered for this time of year. She's bundled up and, well, that's not why I'm here. Today I'm going to share 5 zoos that are going all out for this holiday season. If one of these is near you, please make sure you stop by. If not, send me a comment about your zoo and I'll highlight it another Sunday. Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:57:07 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Thanksgiving-Holidays-From-Around-the-World I'm going to depart from my normal type of post today in honor of Thanksgiving. As an American, many of us can get into the thinking that Thanksgiving is only an American celebration. Not so. Many cultures around the world celebrate their own Thanksgiving. Now, they don't celebrate the same way we do, but they celebrate non the less. Here are a few links that share different Thanksgiving traditions from around the world. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:19:58 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Creative-Wednesday:-My-ABC-Food-List-and-more Okay, as promised, heres my list: A apple, really, I try to eat one every day B broccoli C chocolate, Im willing to bet that many women said this too D dates E eggs Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:02:46 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Turkey,-Turkey,-Where-is-the-Turkey? Good morning Bloggerville fans. Zebee here. I thought today would be a fun day to share some fun activities with you all about turkeys. My boss Joy surfed the net and here are some of the ones she found. Have fun with them. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:29:24 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Baby-names,-Awards-and-birthday-celebrations Good Sunday to you, Zebee here. Is it getting cold yet where you live? Here at the V Zoo it stays a nice 80 degrees all year round. Cant get any better weather than that. Anyway, lets see whats happening at the world zoos today. See you at the end. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:20:58 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Bilingual-Board-Games In surfing for ways to have fun and learn a second language, I came across the Language Learning Game. This company has created two games to learn basic Spanish. The idea is simple and perfect for children in early elementary school. I encourage you to check it out. Be sure to click on the link at the bottom of the home page. The owner Barbara Bohl tells you about the game and how it came to be. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:17:21 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-Review:-Triangle-Top,-The-Tale-of-a-Troubled-Tribe-by-Mark-Johnson Good Thursday morning to you all. Zebee here with another really great book. When my boss Joy read this one to us, we all thought back to when we had Moris surprise birthday party. Without all of us helping out, the party wouldnt have happened. Anyway, let me get out of the way so Joy can tell you about Triangle Top, The Tale of a Troubled Tribe. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:49:13 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Creative-Wednesday:-Favorite-Food-Alphabet It's safe to say that we all have favorite foods. I challenge you to come up with a list of foods that you really like. Now, that's not much of a challenge, so, make your list in alphabetical order and list one food item for each letter of the alphabet. The food has to start with the letter, not just have the letter in the word somewhere. If that's too easy, see if you can make the foods rhyme. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:07 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Are-These-For-Real? Okay, my boss Joy's cyber friend Kim Wheedleton posted this on her blog. When Joy saw it, she knew we had to share it here. Oh, Zebee here, I got so excited about the video, I forgot to introduce myself. Anyway, here it is. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:42:04 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#What-Takes-A-Book-Beyond-Reading? For many months now I've been sharing books that go beyond reading. Now it's your turn. Do you have a favorite book that you'd like to share here? If so, leave me a comment and I'll set you up as a guest blogger for a Monday post. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:49:04 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Orangutans,-bonobos-and-Christmas-already!?! Good morning Bloggerville fans, Zebee here. Its been a quite week on zoo news fronts. Check out a finds and meet me at the end. I have a request for all of you. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:26:53 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Immersion-and-Dual-Language-Schooling-Is-Catching-On Across the United States schools are offering an alternative to single language study. Immersion classrooms are springing up all over. Here are a few articles highlighting different schools in two different states. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:25:54 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-Review:-Humberto,-the-Bookworm-Hamster-by-Mayra-Calvani Good morning book fans. Zebee and the whole gang here. Its book review Thursday at the V Zoo, and you know what that means. Right! We have another great book to share with you today. Lets get right to it. Heres my boss Joys review. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:54:31 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Have-a-Great-Veterans-Day! As a wife, daughter and mother of military men, I want to dedicate today's post to those who have served our country. My father was an officer in the Navy. My husband just retired this year from the Coast Guard. My son is an officer in the Coast Guard. I'm proud, VERY proud of all of them. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:40:42 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Fun-Online-Zoo-Puzzles Good morning! Zebee here. Today I don't have much time. My boss Joy is going to arrive any minute, so, I only have a few minutes to be on her computer. I found a really cool web site to share with all of you zoo lovers. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:23:27 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-My-Grandmas-Kitchen-Rules!-By-Bill-Kirk Todays book is a cute rhyming story about a young girl and her grandmother. Grandma loves all the things in nature that her granddaughter brings home, with one exception. Ants! Read along as all kinds of creatures and discoveries are brought home. See what happens when ants are introduced and the problems they bring with them. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:18:47 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Zoo-News-Sunday:-Hippos,-Jaguars-and-the-Salvation-Army Good day zoo lovers. Ive got some fascinating treats for you today. Enjoy! To start today off, I came across this incredible video about tow friends, Bella and Tara. Watch it, you too will be amazed. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:16:07 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Language-Magazine---The-Journal-of-Communication-and-Education In my Google Alerts for 'bilingual education' today I found a website that intrigues me. Language Magazine. It's a well put together site for world languages. The home page article grabbed my attention. Two is Always More Than One talks about language and the educational system in America. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:56:47 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Soap,-soap,-soap!-by-Elizabeth-Dulemba Good book review day Bloggerville fans! Zebee here with a really fun book for you. Here's my boss Joy with her take on the book. Today is all about soap or jabn. Writer and illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba has written a fun filled bilingual story about Hugo, a young boy. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:26:54 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Being-Creative;-What-Does-It-Mean-To-You? When you think of being creative, what comes to mind? Is it writing, drawing, acting, poetry? I've dabbled in all of the above. Creating a work of art, whether it's a story or something out of fabric makes me smile. For example, Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:05:16 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Mommy,-Draw-Stars-on-My-Tummy-by-Martine-Groeneveld In honor of my mother's 82nd birthday today, I want to share a book all about interactive play between a parent and young child. Nurturing our children when they are infants, toddlers and beyond is a vital part of parenting. This book is a tool for parents to use at home to instill love and affection through use of touch-play, rhymes, games, songs and stories. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:29:35 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#We-Have-A-Fan-Page-on-FaceBook So, I finally set up a fan page on FaceBook. Now I have to figure out exactly what to do there. I've thought about putting up a post each week to get fans creative juices flowing through pictures, prompts and what ever else my brain thinks up. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:11:05 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Boo-at-the-Zoo,-is-at-a-zoo-near-you! With Halloween right around the corner, my boss Joy thought we should dedicate one last post to all the area zoos. I hope we got your local zoo in one of these listings. If not, call you zoo and see if they are having a Halloween party this year. Okay, here are some more zoos to check out: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:57:27 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/children-books-blog.html#Book-of-the-Week:-Andy-and-Spirit-in-the-Big-Rescue-by-Mary-Jean-Kelso This weeks story is the third in the Andy and Sprit stories. Once again Andy and Spirit show what a great team they make. We are back at the State Fair. Its the day after Andy won the Grand Champion ribbon ... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:04:52 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/zebbeszoozine.html Join us for fun and information about our books and zoo animals. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:52:17 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/october2009.html The first newsletter is finally here. Join us for the October 2009 ezine for fun information about zebras and see what;s going on over at Laughing Zebra - Books for Children. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:50:44 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/book-store.html Check out our book store for books that will take your children beyond reading. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:59:32 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/puzzles-zp.html Here are the puzzles to go along with Zooprise Party / Fiesta Zoorpresa Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:54:16 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/amazingantelope.html This week at 'Zebee's Summer Zoo Camp' its all about amazing antelope. Learn about gerenuk and kudus. Arts and crafts, games, puzzles and more to delight young children. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:46:38 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/slitherysnake.html This week at 'Zebee's Summer Zoo Camp' its all about the slithery snake. Learn about corn snakes and king cobras. Arts and crafts, games, puzzles and more to delight young children. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:34:38 GMT http://www.laughing-zebra-children-books.com/playfulpenguins.html This week at 'Zebee's Summer Zoo Camp' is all about playful penguins. Learn about emperor penguins and African blackfooted penguins. Arts and crafts, games, puzzles and more to delight young children. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:20:53 GMT