The March Issue: Animals
In The Animal Issue
Craft Idea
Ratatouille (and other animated films staring animals)
Adopt a Pet
Visit the Zoo
Animals on the Web
Giving Back
Book Reviews
Bindi the Jungle Girl
Animal Craft Ideas from
animal mask
Paint your own safari animal mask! 

Ratatouille

ratatouille
 
Ratatouille is a fun story for the whole family about a little rat from the sewer, with a knack for french cooking. It is  both funny and endearing. The movie just won an Oscar for best animated feature film at the 2007 Academy Awards.
 
Here are some of our other top picks for animated feature films staring animals:
 
- Madagascar (2005)
- The Jungle Book (1967)
- Shark Tale (2005)
- Bee Movie (2007)
- Open Seaon (2007)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Ice Age (2002)
- Bambi (1942)
 
star
Joke of the Month!
silly elephant
Q. Why do the elephants have short tails?
 
A. Because they can't remember long stories!
 

Adopt a Pet

dog
 

Pets can be like family members. If your family is considering the addition of a pet, we encourage you to consider looking into a shelter.  Petfinder is very helpful to link to animal shelters throughout the United States. The site also offers information about pet care, training and more!

Look for our upcoming newsletters:

 

April-Music
May-Space
June-Royalty
July-Luau 
 
Check out past newsletters:
 
 
Please email us at blog@andysparties.com with any suggestions for these or other newsletters.
 
 
Hello
 
Welcome to the March issue of Great Kids News, our monthly newsletter filled with ideas for your great kids!  This month, we're focusing on ideas to keep you and your little animal lovers busy!
 
As always, we welcome other ideas and suggestions...please post your feedback to blog@andysparties.com.
 
Best Regards,
Steve & Crew
Visit The Zoo
 
Cleveland Zoo
Akron Zoo
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have two great zoos in our area. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo features an indoor rainforest, while the Akron Zoo offers Snooze at The Zoo.
 
Animals on the Web
 
There are tons of cool websites for kids, about animals. Here are a few of our favorites:
 
- National Geographic Animals has links to sounds of almost any animal you can imagine.   Zebra noises, anyone?
- Yahoo! Kids-Animals offers tons of fun animal jokes and games.
- Kids Biology includes an "animal bank" that offers information about over 100 species of animals.
- Kids Planet offers fun games, coloring pages and interactive, animated videos about animals.

 
Invite Animals to Your Party!
 
Thinking about inviting some party animals to your next event? Here are some local companies that can help make any party wild.
 
Brian West Enterprises offers pony rides in the Clevland area.
ponies@eohio.net is the email address for Happy Trails.  They offer pony rides in the Canton area.
Outback Ray offers exotic aniamal shows for kids of all ages.

 

Giving Back
 
Stewart's Caring Place
 
Join the Stewart's Caring Place family at the second annual Hope Walk & Reunion Picnic on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at Lock 3 in Akron.  Walk registration begins at 9:30 a.m.  The Hope Walk (2-mile or 3-mile walk on Towpath) starts at 11:00 a.m. and is followed by the Reunion Picnic lunch, live music and activities for all ages.  For registration information click here.
 
 

Safari Book Reviews

There are tons of great animal books for kids. Here are some of our favorites:
 
-Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak: This classic book tells the story of a little boy with a wild imagination. Your kids will want to have a wild rumpus of their own by the end of the story.
 
wherethewildthingsare
 
- Thunder in the Jungle by Jean Christie and Sally Chambers: All of the animals react differently when a storm rolls in. Little ones will love pulling the tabs to reveal each reaction.
 
thunder
 
 
More animal favorites:
 
- Animal Strike at the Zoo. It's True! by Karma Wilson and Margaret Spengler
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
- Starry Safari by Linda Ashman and Jeff Mack
- Way Far Away on a Wild Safari by Jan Peck and Valeria Petrone
 
For more books about animals check out Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

 

 

Bindi the Jungle Girl

bindi

Bindi is the 9 year old, rapping, animal activist daughter of the late Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter). She has her own show (and music videos) on Discovery Kids.  Bindi has become popular as she incorporates messages about conservation, the environment and animals in a fun way. Her catchy songs are bound to get you and the kids thinking about animals and the environment.  Click here to see a preview of her show and some of her popular music videos.