GOING APE

GOING APE

An Original Valentine’s Day Story

by Cynthia Reeg

Theodore Kong III, a young gorilla of few words, lived in the deep, deep jungle. He loved swinging from tippy-top branches, stamp-stomping mini-earthquakes, and pat-a-tat-tatting his chest. He was an exemplary young gorilla.

Until one Valentine’s Day when he found SOMETHING quite astonishing and wore it to breakfast.

 

“T…T…Teddy?” stuttered his parents. “What is that?”

 

Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy rumbled.

 

“A LONG pink scarf!” said his father with a pat-a-tat-tat.

DadAPE

“Black is the ONLY color gorillas need.”

 

Teddy’s mother touched the scarf’s heart-shaped spots.

MomAPE

“Why! They’re the shades of misty morning sunrises… BUT gorillas don’t need colorful hearts.”

 

Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy grrrrrrrumbled louder.

“I don’t care how… ahhhhh…soft it is!” said Teddy’s father.

Mmmrrrgg,” Teddy grrrrrrrrrrumbled even louder.

“Or how splendid the hearts are,” said Teddy’s mother. “Gorillas do NOT wear soft, pink, heart-dotted scarves. Ever!

 

With that, Theodore Kong III, sss…pun the scarf from his neck.

 

Up to the tippy-top branches, he swww…ung with it!

 

Into the fallen leaves, he stamp-stomped on it!

APE2

 

Finally, with a grrrrr…roar louder than ever before, he zzzip-ripped the long, soft, pink, heart-dotted scarf into pieces!

 

Into THREE pieces.

Mmmrrrgg!” Teddy roared sweetly. “One for each of us! Happy Valentine’s Day!”

APE

His proud parents smiled back.

Then Teddy scrunch-crunched them both in a hairy hug—and that said it all.

Microsoft Word - Red Valentine.doc

October Reading Fun

Here it is October already and, of course, Halloween is just around the corner. But if you are looking for some fun reads besides ghosts and goblins, then Guardian Angel Kids new online magazine is waiting for you!

In the DOWN ON THE FARM issue, you’ll find chicks, and pigs, and even alpacas. There are stories, poems, and articles about farming and farm animals. Plus, a recipe for making your own butter–no churn required! You’ll find lots of other activities included as well–games, videos, and coloring pages to download.

More GAP Pictures & Rick Riordan Event



Take a look at Connie Arnold and her book, ANIMAL SOUND MIXUP. What would happen if animals made rather unexpected sounds? Check out Connie’s book to find out.

Here is Sue Berger, along with her books from Guardian Angel Publishing. She likes to talk to kids about her book, EARTHQUAKE. The book is full of cool facts about earthquakes, and Sue’s been through a few earthquakes herself. She knows all about “rock ‘n roll.”

Kim Chatell is making another RAINBOW SHEEP. The colorful little critters are made from dyed wool. Kim shapes the wool in a number of different of creations, like snails and kitties. Felting for fun!

Finally, if you’re a Rick Riordan fan, you might want to sign up for the launch of THE LOST HERO, his first book in the new series, THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS. The event happens on October 12.

Pets and Authors



Mayra Calvani, author and animal lover, has a fun blog featuring authors and their pets. I know my pets have been major inspirations for my writings. In fact, they were interviewed by Mayra a while back. If you missed it, here’s the link on April 5, 2009.

But you’ll want to check out all the others as well at www.petsandauthors.blogspot.com. Today Donna Shepherd and her adorable Labradoodle, Sadie, reveal their secrets.
Try writing your own animal story–whether you have a pet or not. Invent a character, give the animal a problem, and send him on his way to solve the problem–and, of course, encounter even more problems along the way.
Here’s a quick list of some favorite picture book animal stories:
GOOD NIGHT, GORILLA by Peggy Rathmann (a wordless picture book)
IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE by Laura Joffe Numeroff
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS by Robert McCloskey
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams
Have fun!

ZeBee’s Virtual Summer Zoo Camp for Children

Too Dog-Gone Good to Miss
and

Just in time to beat summertime boredom–


An online cybercamp for children 5-8
Fun, educational activities–starting TODAY!!!
Eight weeks of zoo animal adventures
Prizes, games, animal trivia, arts & crafts, puzzles
July 6-August 28