Zoo News Sunday: Miami Dade Zoo

Hi everyone in Bloggerville. Zebee here. Today we’re off to the Miami Metro Zoo in Florida. Ready? Let’s go!

I’m checking out the interactive Zoo map!
This is really cool. You can move things around, zoom in and when you move the cursor over one of the little circles, up pops what ever it is. If it’s an animal, you get a picture and information about them. I really like this, but we must move on. . .

There’s a new exhibit, Amazon and Beyond. Read about the Village Palza, Cloud Forest and more.

Want to ride a camel? You can in the children’s zoo.

At Animals and Attractions you can check out the Featured Creature, children’s zoo and more.

What to know what’s going on? Check the Events and private party link. Here you’ll learn about close encounters, tours and more.

Interested in finding out about their educational programs? They have lots of field trip options, teachers resources, zookeeper for a day and overnight programs to name a few.

They have a Meerkat camera. Cool! You can see them at feeding time in the morning and lunch.

Wow! The Miami Metro Zoo has lots going on. Maybe my boss Joy will take me there one day soon so I can see it all again. Got to go, we are having a party in a few days for Jabari, he’s going to be 5 years old. See you Tuesday.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Zebee here. I hope you’re all having a great Sunday. I know I am and as we travel to todays’ soo, my boss Joy will be happy too. She went to college in Fresno, CA and that’s were we’re heading today to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

There mission is to “provide a fun, unique and up-close experience that strengthens the bond between people and wildlife.” I like that.

I see right away that the Fresno zoo has moved into the age of technology embracing it all. They are on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube to name a few. Inside the site they have an events calendar. Let’s see what types of events they have planned this year.

Breakfastat the Zoo in April, Zoobilation in June, Ice cream party in August and ZooBoo in October. They all sound like fun.

Check out the animals they have. There are about 125 species with a number of them being part of the SSP, or Species Survival Plan.

Where education is concerned, they have a lot. For teachers, they have a special e-newsletter and workshops. They have both onsite and off site programs for the community at large. The off site ones include a ZooMoblie and puppet shows. There are also Zoo Camp adventures for children 3-17.

Have you ever wanted to go on a real African Safari? The zoo director is taking a group over to Kenya to do just that. If you go, be sure to say ‘hi’ to any of my zebra family you happen to see.

Well, another Sunday zoo trip is at it’s end. I’ll see you back here Tuesday with more ‘V Zoo’ happenings.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: The San Diego Wild Animal Park

Ready? This week I chose the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Go to the Wild Animal Park web site and poke around. Even if you can’t get there, you will feel like you went after checking everything out here.

If you can go, there are all kinds of up close and personal wildlife experiences you can have. They have an extra price tag, but, hey, you get to be up close and personal with wildlife!

These are a few of them:
Photo caravan safari – one of your six choices here is the “Adventure Caravan” It’s a 1 ¾ hour tour either to Asia (you can feed rhinos) or Africa (you can feed giraffes)
Other options here are: Adventure Caravan Deluxe, Snapshot Caravan, Early riser ultimate caravan, Family caravan and Night moves caravan. They all sound like fun!

Rolling safari tour – This looks cool! Ride around on an off-road Segway®X2 and get real close to many of the African and Asian animals at the park. Must be at least 13 years old to go on this tour.

Sleepovers – How many of you have every dreamed of sleeping over at the zoo? Come on, I bet most of you have. Well, your dream can come true now. There are quite a few different programs. Pick the one that suits you and yours best. Have fun!

Check out the rest of them and make your trip there memorable.


While there, you can go on a hike out at the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk, visit Condor Ridge, watch the elephants from the Elephant over look and eat in Nairobi village. Check these and more exhibits out here.

Click here to find out what’s new and read all about the latest babies, events and you can even go to park blogs. This page is shared with the San Diego Zoo, so you can see all the happenings there as well.

That’s it for this week. See you Tuesday with more ‘V Zoo’ happenings.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: The Columbus Zoo

Let’s go visit the Columbus Zoo today. Hi, Zebee here.

This is a really fun site. The home page covers three different attractions in Columbus, OH.
The Zoombezi Bay Waterpark, the Z Safari Golf Club and the Columbus Zoo. We are going to the zoo, so hop on board and away we go!

This is where Jack Hanna is based out of. He’s the one taking you around the home page there. So, lets’ start exploring. I see a calendar of events with some days in a different color than the rest. When I move my cursor over it up pops a special event that day with a link for more information.

You can sign up for their newsletter and keep up to date on everything going on.

Lots of education here! Check out Habitat Hollow. This looks to be a whole bunch of fun for the younger set.

Scout and community programs offers things like camp-ins overnight and senior safaris.

There are at least a dozen Family programs to check out.

Play along on Animal Tracks. This guide gives you all the information you want to know about the animals at the Columbus Zoo.

The Columbus Zoo is involved with Conservation Grants. Over the past 5 years they have distributed $3.8 million in conservation grants. Read about what all they do.

I say this is a pretty cool zoo, don’t you? Thanks for going along with me on this trip today. Come back Tuesday and visit with me at the ‘V Zoo’ won’t you?

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: The Nashville Zoo

Welcome to the Nashville Zoo. Hi, Zebee here and today we’re in Tennessee. This zoo is a totally wild experience, so sit back and have a great virtual tour of their zoo.

Let’s start off by looking at the zoo map. Defiantly worth clicking on it to enlarge. This map has pictures of all the animals with their name and a number so you can find them on the map fast. Looks like they are planning lots of expansion here in the near future.

Live in the area and want to know what’s going on? Check out the Events calendar.
It lists all the neat things they’ve got planned for their guests. Member night July 11 looks like fun. The zoo’s 66,000 square foot Jungle Gym will be available for you to swing on and play like the gibbons. I want to go!

Animal information gives you the list and links to all the animals at the zoo. Click on any animal and learn all about it.

There are lots of educational programs at this zoo. The list includes: adult programs, camp programs, home school programs and lots more.

Check out the Nashville Zoo next time you drive through, or if you live there join and become a member. If you do, remember I want to go to the member’s night in July.

Okay Bloggervillers, it’s time for me to take my afternoon nap. I’ll see you back here Tuesday with more ‘V Zoo’ happenings.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: The Bristol Zoo

Good day all my Bloggerville fans. Zebee here. Today we have hopped across the pond to visit the Bristol Zoo in the United Kingdom. Their moto is “See it. Sense it. Save it.”

Let’s look around, okay? Right off the bat your eyes are treated to color, links to the goings on at the zoo. You also can subscribe to be kept up to date. If you live in the area, I recommend doing this.
I clicked on Explores’ Creek opens spring ‘09 and up popped news of a new interactive exhibit.

Across the top of the site are links to various things about the zoo.

Animals Zone takes you to all things animal. You can check out animal fact sheets, zoo facts, courses offered and more.

What’s going on in their event calendar. Go there to see all events for children and adults that are planned. Looks like some are even outside the zoo in the surrounding community!

Poking around here has been fun today. My ride back to the ‘V Zoo’ is almost here, so, I’ll see you Tuesday with more happening. Bye for now.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Book Review: Kalulu the Hare Outwitted by Vukani G. Nyirenda and illustrated by Matt Morrow

Good day, Zebee here. Today we have a story told like an old time fable.

“Kalulu the Hare Outwitted” by Vukani G. Nyirenda and illustrated by Matt Morrow take place in Africa during a drought. All the animals get together and to try and figure out what they can do to have water enough for all of them.

They decide to dig a pond. Everyone pulls their weight and works hard to dig the pond. Everyone except Kalulu that is. Now here’s the part I like, Boli the zebra is the first one to try to get him to work, but he won’t and hops away. (See, the zebra is the only one that tries to get Kalulu to work.)

Each animal takes turns guarding the pond so Kalulu can’t get water. Kalulu is very cunning. Can he outsmart them all? You’ll have to read the story to find out.

The illustrations are spectacular. Matt has a way with giving wonderful expressions to each animal, and I love the zebra. He looks a little like me there. Don't you think?

Where can you buy this book? It’s an e-book and is available at NueVer

See you Sunday with more zoo news. Now let me go find our rabbits and see what they're up to.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

Zoo News Sunday: The Portland Zoo

Good Sunday morning all my fans in Bloggerville. Zebee here.

Today and for the next several weeks I will be going to only one zoo and telling you all about it. Why the change? My boss Joy and her husband Julio are underway sailing their boat from Puerto Rico to Florida. She didn’t want either this blog or her blog to go silent for all that time. So we got together and wrote posts for about 6 weeks. (She has to do the typing. Can you picture me typing? Hoofs don’t do well on a keyboard!) They are all done and waiting to pop up on the right day. So please do continue to stop by. It will be lots of fun here at the ‘V Zoo’, I promise.

Okay, on with today’s zoo. My boss Joy’s mom lives in Portland, OR. When Joy’s children were little, they lived there too. Zoo visits were a regular outing. Come with me into the Portland Zoo where they are “Inspiring our community to create a better future for wildlife.”
Hop into the Portland Zoo.

Let’s poke around the zoo and see what’s there.

If you live in the area, you really must sign up for their newsletter. You can do this right from the home page. Also on the home page you can click on links to things like:

Animals - Read animal fact sheets, take a virtual tour behind the scenes and much more.

Conservation - See what the Portland Zoo is doing about helping to conserve the world’s wildlife and environment.

Education - Read about school field trips for schools, homeschool program, family adventures available and more.

Groups Scoop - Learn all about having a group event at the zoo. Guess what? You can plan an overnight at the zoo! How cool is that!?!

Kidzone - Here you can play games, meet the zoo babies, learn how you can help out with conservation and lots more fun stuff.
And lots more.

Coming this summer, the zoo is opening a new exhibit, Predators of the Serengeti. Check out the virtual tour and read about what animals are going to be there.

Want to keep up with all the special events at the zoo? Go to the Events page and pick the month you want to visit. I picked April. During that month they have:

Keeper talks daily so you can learn about their animals.
Zoo’s Gone Wild Spring Break Party from March 23 – April 5
Rabbit Romp on April 11
Second Tuesday on April 14
Elephantastic! on April 18
Party for the Planet on April 26
Run for the Cheetah on April 26
Go to the April Events to read about all these great events. I want to go. Will you take me?

I guess we’ve traveled all over the Portland Zoo today. I don’t know about you but I need a rest, right over there under my favorite tree.

See you back here on Tuesday with some more fun from the ‘V Zoo’.

posted by Zebee aka Joy Delgado
We go Beyond Reading
Laughing Zebra – Books for Children
You learned that from a picture book!?!
Books Go Beyond Reading

The ongoing adventures of Elvis

Last time we checked in with Elvis, he’d been having a wild time opening all the exhibits in preparation for the ‘big event’. I wonder how many he’s opened so far and how it’s going. Let’s go ask him.

Hey Elvis! The people in Bloggerville and I want an update on your night openings. Can you fill us in? How many have you opened? Any more escapes like Billy? Can I go with you on your next one?

Whoa! One question at a time Zebee. I know you and all the people out there are curious, so I will answer all your questions. Let’s see, so far I’ve opened Lito’s, the giraffes, Jabari the leopard’s, of course Billy the chimp’s, the bongos, kudus and tiger exhibits. Oh I almost forgot, I also looked at the Polar Bears and Penguins to figure out how I’m going to do that one. I think I’ve figured it out, but I need some help with these, so yes, Zebee you can go with me.

Great! When do we go? Tonight?

Let me check with Elvira. Now that she’s laid her egg, she wants me around at night. I haven’t gone out in a while, so maybe it will be okay. I’ll let you know.

Any more escapes, or is everyone behaving?

Jabari was a bit annoyed when I tried to get him out. He was in the middle of his nightly prowl and didn’t want to be disturbed. The giraffes were all a twitter and hard to keep quite, but the rest were really good about it. Everyone is excited and can hardly wait.

Okay Elvis, let me know if we are on for tonight. Bye for now.

Will do. Bye Zebee.

Book Review: Frankie the walk ‘n roll dog

Hi everyone, Zebee here. Today is book review day and my boss Joy has a special book to share with you today. Here is a bit about the author:

Barbara Techel wrote a story about her dog, Frankie and what he has been through. She wrote it to “give hope and inspiration to all who face challenges. Barb writes a column “For the Love of Animals” has appeared in the Depot Dispatch. Her column shares stories of the daily antics and lives of her four-legged companion as well as other furry friends she has met.
Barb lives in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin with her loving husband John and her sweet critters. Barbara hope Frankie’s story will help anyone facing a challenge to realize they always have a choice as to how they will overcome a challenge and that hope is all you need to move forward.”

Now, onto the review (written by Joy Delgado):
******
Frankie the walk ‘n roll dog, what a trooper

“Hi, my name is Frankie! Welcome to my life.” is how Frankie the walk ‘n roll dog begins. Frankie starts her life like any other dog, running around, playful and happy. Adopted by a loving couple, she goes on bike rides to the market, plays with her dog sister and friends and sleeps in a cozy warm bed. She has a wonderful life. Then a tragic accident happens that makes poor Frankie paralyzed in her hind legs. Does she hide her tail between her legs and give up on life? No. She goes on to teach us all how to overcome obstacles and disabilities that get thrown at us.

Written from the point of view of Frankie, the author has done a very good job showing us what it’s like to be stricken with a disability later in life. The story walks you step by step through Frankie’s ordeal. The illustrations by Victoria Kay Lieffring depict the story with bold colors and make you ‘see’ what the story tells. The fears and frustrations little Frankie experiences are expressed in a way that children will be able to understand.

This charming story will be a wonderful addition to any child’s library.

******
Hey kids, if you go to http://www.joyfulpaws.com/ you can get a free ‘pawtographed’ photo of Frankie and her favorite poem by signing up. While you’re there anyway, check out the store with lot of things with pictures of Frankie like t-shirts, stickers, buttons, tote bag and lot more! Beat you there!

Most beautiful animal, giraffe, leopard or . . .

Wow! You’ll never believe what happened at the ‘V Zoo’ today, so I’m going to tell you. Okay, my exhibit is between Elvis the King Vulture and the giraffes Honey, Star and Jewel. Well, Honey started talking with Jabari the leopard about what animal is the most beautiful. Honey said giraffes were because of their sleek long necks. Jabari said leopards were because of their thick fur coat and beautiful eyes. The argument got so loud they could be heard all over the ‘V Zoo’.

All the keepers came rushing over. They obviously couldn’t understand what Honey and Jabari were arguing about. Rebekha, Tad and Sally got treats for both animals to try and distract them. That didn’t work. Finally Jewel piped up. She pointed out that both animals were the most beautiful in their own right. This seemed to calm the two of them down a bit, even though they didn’t agree. So, what do you think? What is the most beautiful animal? Drop me a comment and I’ll post the results next time.

Until then, Zebee out.
(mumbling to himself) I need to rest my ears from all that screaming today. I think I will go take a nap.

Animal slideshow

Hi all. Did you have a great weekend? I sure did.
One of the projects my boss Joy had me helping her with is partly done, and she agreed to share it with all of you. We have been making a slide show of the types of animals we have here at the ‘V Zoo’. See, since we are a virtual zoo, and not real, she has been going through pictures that both she and Rebekha have taken at different zoos over the years and come up with Part one of the animals here.

I hope you like it. Drop me a comment and let me know what you think.

See you Thursday with another great book review.
Bye Zebee