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 Joy’s author friends came it was amazing. Many of them brought along their characters too. Let’s see how many we can remember.

Elysabeth Eldering came. She brought along Matt, Guy and Mary Beth, her Junior Geography detectives. They were searching for clues for one of her books.

Lea Schizas was there. Bubba and Giganto were with her. They sure are nice boys and good soccer players. We had a game between the story characters and all of us here at the V Zoo. We lost, but we vowed to have a rematch next year and win. We need a coach. Any volunteers?

Oh, and Bill Kirk came and brought along Ari. We all watched were we stepped so we wouldn’t crush him. He’s really a cool spider.

When Vivian Zabel arrived with Buddy, some of the characters wanted him to teach them how to rope Prairie dogs. Since the closest thing we have to that here at the V Zoo are the meerkats, that just wouldn’t work. Instead he showed them how to rope a fence poll.

Che Dee was there with Odo, the time children, Mashu, Cassie and the Tulies.

Mary Jean Kelso brought along Andy and Spirit. Spirit is a beautiful horse and Andy is amazing the way he can ride.

Dayna Hilton and Sparkles came. Sparkles had us all on our knees again. This time even I could do it. I’ve been practicing.

Rachelle Burk was there with Kenny and Allison. We all wanted to hear about living in a tree house. I’d like to climb up in a tree house someday.

Rena Jones and Dilly came. So did Shari Lyle-Soffe along with Aaron and Horace. Mayra Calvani and Humberto read us some of Humberto’s favorite books. Hugo also showed up with Elizabeth Dulemba with soap for everyone.

I’m sure I forgot some of the authors and their characters. The place was packed and we had a fun time.

Who got to put the star on top of the tree this year? Billy. He climbed up Star’s neck and placed it, very carefully, on the top branch.
Got to go, I need to finish making my gifts. We are all making things for each other this year.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
Fun ways to help children learn
Books Go Beyond Reading

More with Elysabeth Eldering

Okay so today we have Elysabeth Eldering back for a visit. Elysabeth, I’d like to share with my readers a bit more about you. Are you game?

E: Sure thing Zebee, but first I’d like to thank you for having me back today. This week has been lots of fun.

Z: Why thank you Elysabeth. I’m blushing, even though you can’t see it. So, where do you live?

E: Right now, I live in South Carolina. Growing up, I lived all over the world.

Z: Really? Why? Were your parents gypsies?

E: No. (lol) My father was in the US military. That took us to countries like Japan, Germany as well as several states.

Z: Oh, I see. We always like to know if our guests have pets and what kinds they have. Do you have any pets?

E: Yes, I have three dogs and a rabbit named Easter.

Z: We have rabbits at the ‘V Zoo’. They like to hide. So, if people want to read more stuff about yu and your Junior Geography Detective Squad, where’s the best place to go?

E: They can visit me at my blog, JGDS Series.
Z: Can you share the information on where to purchase the books again, in case someone missed it last week.

E: Sure thing Zebee. They can go to 4RV Publishing, amzon.com and barnesandnobel.com, or for special orders (schools and homeschoolers) by contacting Vivian. The teacher's guides are only available through special orders from Vivian.

Z: Well, we’ve run out of time for today. Thanks so much for stopping by Elysabeth. Good luck with your series.

E: Thank you Zebee for having me hang around all week. See you later.

Z: Bye everyone, see you Thursday.

Zoo News Sunday with Elysabeth Eldering

Good day to you all in Bloggerville. Zebee here with Elysabeth Elering for our weekly trip around the world to visit zoos and bring you news. Hey, that rhymes! Anyway, Elysabeth, are you ready?

E: Hi Zebee and everyone. Yes, I’ve been looking forward to this all week. Where are we going today?

Z: Let’s see, Washington, D.C., The Falklands, Sarajevo, San Diego and a lot more places.

E: Sounds great Zebee. What do I have to do?

Z; Hold onto my left ear. Ouch! Not so tight. Yes, that’s much better. Here we go!

A Rare and Blessed Event
New baby gorilla born at the National Zoo. See the picture!

City zoo teaching Scottish wildlife in Falklands
This is a great idea. I hope more zoos do this sort of thing. Sharing knowledge of where you live with others can help them understand better what it’s like in a different part of the world.

Sarajevo Zoo renovations aim to draw tourists
The zoo was destroyed from the siege in the 1990’s. Today it’s coming back to life.

Rare tree kangaroo species has twins at Neb. Zoo
Tree kangaroos are so cute and cuddly looking. This one’s no exception. Can’t wait to see her babies.

Red panda comes out of hiding
Live near Zoo Boise? Like red pandas? Then you’ve gotta go see this baby.

Fixing a Tiger's Tooth at the National Zoo
Did you know that tigers get toothaches too? See what was done to make life more bearable for Soyono.

San Diego Soo hosts Koalapalooza this weekend
If you’re in the area, go to the zoo and join in the fun.

Attend Lincoln Park Zoo's Mid-Winter Party
A special party to raise funds for the Endowed Fund for Conservation and Science is being held on February 27. Read all about it here.

Kings of the jungle come to FL zoo
Cool video. Watch the lions being brought in and listen to Ron MaGill talk about the process.

MLK holiday offers free day at the zoo
Live in Oregon or Washington? Want a FREE day at the zoo? Read this!

E: Wow! Zebee that was so much fun. I want to come back and do this again sometime.

Z: I’d love to have you along for the ride. I’m kinda getting used to having guests go with me.

E: Well, I guess I’ll be back Tuesday to talk a bit more about my books and my life.

Z: Thanks Elysabeth. See you then.
Bye everyone in Bloggerville, see you Tuesday too.

Elysabeth Eldering talks about her JGDS books

Good day everyone. Today we have a very special guest, Elysabeth Eldering. She’s writing a series of books, well, I’ll let her tell you about them. Hi Elysabeth.

E: Hi Zebee. I’m really glad to be here with you today at the ‘V Zoo’. This is a cool place.

Z: Thank Elysabeth. So, from what I’ve heard my boss Joy say, you have a very ambitious project ahead of you. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

E: Yes, I do have an ambitious project. When I’m all done I’ll have 50 books written.

Z: 50 books! Wow! That’s a lot of books. Why so many? What are they about?

E: I’m writing one for each state. See, this series is called the Junior Geography Detective Squad. The four main characters, Matt Patterson, Guy Lombard, Mary Beth Patterson and Jolene Ariette take on the newest handheld game to help them in their study of social studies course of US History (geography and trivia information about each state). Each book in the series will be presented as the game giving them "clues" which are basically facts and trivia information that can be found most any place about the states. The kids have to guess the state by the end of the book. Readers are encouraged to participate in guessing as well. Guesses may be changed during the story as no one is expected to get the state immediately. Some clues are more helpful than others and some are just downright fun. This is a fun way of learning something you never knew about state history and geography.
There are bonus clues to five territories throughout the series, one per book with a total of ten per each of the territory (Guam, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, US Samoan Islands). The ten clues will not come consecutively; the five territories will be one clue every sixth book for each of the territories.

There will be a bonus clue section at the end of the series, recapping the clues, which book they appeared in and what the territory is in that book.

Z: How many books are available at the moment?

E: At this point, State of Wilderness is the first in the series. The second, State of Quarries, will be released either late December or early January. The next three states are being written this month.

Z: What types of extras do you have for readers of the Junior Geography Detective Squad?

E: In the teacher's guide, I have six research projects/discussion questions, a puzzle (cryptogram, word search, word jumble, or some other puzzle will be featured), a science experiment, and an end-of-book quiz.

Z: Sounds like fun. So,where can people go and buy your books?

E: Copies may be purchased from 4RV Publishing, amzon.com and barnesandnobel.com, or for special orders (schools and homeschoolers) by contacting Vivian at 4RV Publishing. The teacher's guides are only available through special orders from Vivian.

Z: Thanks for stopping by today Elysabeth. Are you coming back on Sunday to travel the world zoos with me?

E: From what I’ve heard from your other guests, I wouldn’t miss that for the world.

Z: See you then.
Bye for today all you Bloggerville fans. I’ll see you on Sunday too.