v3 issue 48:A Day at the Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears...Oh my! Our zoo review is here and we have chosen our favorites to share with you. Now here is something to travel for, a list of free zoos around the USA and Canada.

Cover by Ruthi David









1 For the soft blanket lovers in your life, be sure to check out this gift set from Z. Daisy. The coordinating set comes with a travel blankie, 2 blankie bungees, and a binky bungee to keep baby's most loved treasures where they belong...not on the ground. There are just some places where the 5 second rule doesn't apply-regardless of what any study says!

2 Zoobie Pets has some brand new additions to the family and the new zoo review is in. They're fabulous! Still 3-in-1 and tons of fun: the stuffed animal changes into a cushy pillow and the cushy pillow opens up to a kid-sized blanket. Rightfully earning its place as "the perfect travel companion", the animals of the zoo collection are just as great as their forefathers from the safari.

3 Plucked straight from the heart of Africa and slapped onto a kid's t-shirt, this giraffe is in disguise. No one knows what he's done, but the cool shades and pacifier help him blend into American culture without a doubt. You can find this giraffe, along with his other hoodlum buddies-Stinky and Skully, hiding out at Vera Plum.

4 Hand-crafted, hand-painted (with child safe paints), and made of eco-friendly rubberwood...this is a toy with integrity. Not only is it safe, but also multi-faceted. Flip the puzzle over and you have a whole new puzzle in a flash. Stand it up and you have a decorative piece of art. Nothing like a piece of artwork that makes you think! We think the company name says it all – Imagiplay.

5 Malaysian Chineses designer, Mel Lim is hitting the baby scene with this bib and onesie set. A little blast of color is embroidered onto an organic cotton onesie and bib in a giraffe scene straight from the savanna. From the girl who does a little bit of everything, and does it all well, we are wild about this set and can't wait for its arrival in the summer of 2008.

6 Patricia Ann Designs has the most fabulous blankies around when it comes to luxurious softness. We are very fond of a little someone who just can't live without this giraffe print Indulgence Blanket. She adores it, celebrities adore it, and we're sure you will too!

7 Daily adventures to the zoo are possible!Frecklebox books takes a child on a personalized storybook adventure through multiple animal exhibits and helps them take in all the details by camouflaging their name into the pages. Hours of wild-life adventure can be yours all for a one time price as low as $19.95.

8 64 Zoo Lane, the delightful children's series, originated in the UK in 2000 and currently appears on the Noggin channel in America. For those of you who haven't had a glance at this super-sweet animated show (or if you have a child that can't get enough of it!), a new DVD is hitting the shelves July 29th. You can also pre-order a copy at Amazon.com.

This weeks mom tips:
Cleaning Tip:
Before hanging shower curtains, soak in salt water solutions to prevent mildew.
Organizing Tip:
Make your bed first thing in the morning when you get out of bed. There may never be another opportunity throughout the day.
Time Saving Tip:
Create a box/folder just for bills. Compile all you need to get the job done including stamps, envelops, checkbook and of course the bills. Having it all in one place allows you to easily get the task done. Just pull out the box whenever you have a free minute.
Green Tip:
Replace 5 light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). According to the Department of Energy and the US EPA, Energy Star CFL bulbs are up to 66 percent more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs.

It's a zoo out there!

Zoos go ConservationConservation involves acting as an "Ark" for endangered species, like the white rhinos that have been among the world's most critically endangered species since the end of the 20th century. Zoos also breed endangered species as part of the European Breeding Program. Next time you visit a zoo, look out for information about its work with endangered species.

A Few Great Zoos

The Toronto Zoo- Scarborough, Ontario
The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier Zoo, known for its interactive education and conservation activities. As a unique wildlife experience, we inspire people to live in ways that promote the well being of the natural world. The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 460 species. Approximately 1.2 million visitors per year.


The Bronx zoo- Bronx, New York City NY
New York's Bronx Zoo, one of the world's greatest, has been enjoying a renaissance. For a decade scarcely a year has passed without some spectacular addition to this park. 2008 is the year of the frog and the Bronx Zoo has a plan to save the frogs- The Zoo joins a worldwide campaign to highlight threatened amphibians. At various exhibits and events, you’ll meet frogs from around the world and learn about the amphibian extinction crisis.

Smithsonian National Zoo Washington, DC
163-acre zoological park set amid Rock Creek Park in the heart of Washington, D.C. Home to 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species. Their best known residents are our giant pandas, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Tai Shan. The Zoo is one of Washington's and the Smithsonian's most popular tourist destinations. They welcome up to two million visitors—from the local community, the country, and the rest of the world—every year, free of charge.

Philadelphia Zoo - Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Zoo’s 42-acre Victorian garden is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of them rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world. The Bear Country is a must see! With gushing waterfalls, babbling brooks and cool, deep pools, you'll discover an array of burly bears from around the world-sloth bears, spectacled bears and polar bears.

San Diego Zoo San Diego, Ca.
Home to more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, the San Diego Zoo is a world famous conservation organization where visitors view exotic animals in habitat environments. Zoo guests may view rare giant pandas, cuddly looking koalas, reptiles of various shapes and sizes and many more interesting species.


FREE ZOOS
ARIZONA
Navajo National Zoo, Window Rock
CALIFORNIA
Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka
FLORIDA
Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Gainesville
ILLINOIS
Cosley Animal Farm, Wheaton; Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago
INDIANA
Columbian Park Zoo, Lafayette
KANSAS
Brit Spaugh Zoo, Great Bend; Clay Center Zoo; David Traylor Zoo of Emporia; Hutchinson Zoo; Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, Wichita;
Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City; Ralph Mitchell Zoo, Independence
MARYLAND
Salisbury Zoo
MINNESOTA
Como Zoo, St. Paul
MISSOURI
St. Louis Zoological Park
NEW JERSEY
Bergen County Zoological Park, Paramus; Cape May County Park Zoo; Cohanzick Zoo, Bridgeton
WISCONSIN
Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison
Ochsner Park Zoo, Baraboo
CANADA
Riverview Park and Zoo, Peterborough, Ontario