WINNER: Congratulations to emilyz!
All the proof you need to know that Baristaville loves animals is a look at the comment section of any post even minorly related to dogs, cats, or any pet. And with both Hallowe’en and a presidential election coming up, with pets occasionally surfacing in the media coverage of the candidates, Barista Kids would like to share some fun books that bring this season’s major events into perspective for the kids. Two recent books in particular are perfectly suited for combining animals, Hallowe’en, and election the leader of the free world: Pigmares and Presidential Pets.
Pigmares: Porcine Poems of the Silver Screen, written and illustrated by Doug Cushman, is the perfect blend of silly and classic horror. With characters like Pigzilla, Pig Kong, and even Dr. Hogwell and Mr. Pigg, kids get a first taste of old-time scary movies with the right dose of goofy adjustment to make it accessible without being too frightening. While it’s aimed at children ages 7 – 10, younger kids will appreciate the not-too-scary drawings and funny rhymes, especially if they are read in the appropriately campy voices. Children ages 7 and up will enjoy figuring out the rhymes and illustrations fit together.
My family had so much fun reading Presidential Pets by Julie Moberg. Initially, because of the caricaturish drawing style, I didn’t think my kids would like it; they are much more into more child-friendly drawings. I was wrong. Both my three and my five-year-old laughed at the silly drawings, asked questions about why an alligator was in the bathtub, and I think they actually learned a lot about animals and our presidents from the text.
Presidential Pets devotes two pages to each president and the animals he held as pets. Each president gets a fun rhyme about what kind of animal he held dear. Then there are Presidential Stats, extra facts about his family, and various accomplishments of his term(s). One of our favorite rhymes is for Abraham Lincoln. It’s the story of the first turkey pardoned for Thanksgiving. It ends with “Jack lived out his days, happy to roam the White House grounds, his permanent home.”
Barista Kids has both books to giveaway to one lucky reader, courtesy of Charlesbridge Books and VegBooks!
To enter for your chance to win these two fun reads, just tell us in comments: What is your ideal pet? Personally, the summer I housesat in Chinatown and cared for a bearded dragon and a chameleon was pretty sweet. They were quiet, cute, and actually quite playful. I’m definitely a reptile person. How about you?
One commenter to this post, through 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 30, 2012 will be chosen at random to receive both books. Please post only once. No purchase necessary. Starts Thursday, September 27 at 2 pm EST and ends Sunday, September 30, 2012, at 11:59 pm. Open to U.S. residents ages 18 years and older. Void where prohibited.
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Definitely a cat person here. Always have been, always will be. We currently have three — Ariel, Puck, and Oberon — and that’s just about the right number.
Fish, hands down. They are beautiful to look at and don’t require a walk!
Though we had two great cats, I’m still partial to dogs. Had a schnauzer growing up and having another one would be ideal to me.
Always wanted a dog growing up and now my 3-year-old has started asking for one. We tried a Fureal pet for her and goldfish, but both have turned out to be poor substitutions. I probably won’t be able to withstand the temptation and guilt for too long!
The ideal pet for me is one I’m not allergic to. I love cats and dogs and though we had two cats my allergies have worsened and now can’t have any and dogs aren’t much better.
As I said in the post: Bearded Dragon. And on Friday, I had this conversation with another parent. And lo and behold SHE had had a bearded dragon long ago. What are the chances?