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May- June: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:30:07 +0000

If you’ve been to Story Safari at the Children Zoo’s Butterfly Stage lately you may have noticed something has changed. Effective May 4^th our schedule has changed to 10:00AM & 11:00AM. We are also reading a new story beginning May 20^th – June 2^nd. Our new book is titled Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones by Ruth Heller.

: Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones by Ruth Heller

Chickens are not the only animals that lay eggs “every bird wild or tame does the same”. Animals that lay eggs are called oviparous. But not just birds are oviparous; there are many animals that do the same. So cluck on over to Story Safari and help us name them all!

May: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:00:18 +0000

Yay, its May! As much as we enjoyed April’s stories, its time for a new book here at Story Safari in the Children’s Zoo’s butterfly stage. Beginning May 6^th 2012 – May 19^th 2012 we will be reading an awesome sing-along storybook titled The Boy on the Bus by Penny Dale at 10:30AM and 11:00AM.

The boy on this bus drives round and round- but who wants to ride on the bus? Trust us, its not who you’d expect! Hop on board as a very crowded bus full of furry feathery friends oink, quack, and cluck their way through the countryside, in this new version of a classic sing-along!

April-May 5th: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:00:57 +0000

We’ve been having so much fun the past couple of weeks reading Mr. Brown Can Moo Can you? By Dr. Seuss during Story Safari at the Children’s Zoo Butterfly stage. We’ve even had some wonderfully noisy animal guests appearances for the 11:00AM Story Safari! Starting April 22^nd through May 5^th we will be reading a brand new book titled Duck on Bike by David Shannon (no ear plugs needed for this one). Come on out to the Children’s Zoo’s Butterfly stage at 10:30AM and 11:00AM to hear a story of an adventurous duck on his first bike ride!

Duck on a Bike by David Shannon

From Sheep to Horse to Chicken to Goat, everyone has something to say about Duck’s zany idea to ride a bike. But what were they really thinking? And most importantly, what will happen next? Wobble your way over to Story Safari to find out!

April: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:51 +0000

We’ll be making a whole lot of wonderful noises this month during Story Safari at the Children’s Zoo’s butterfly stage with a new favorite book titled Mr. Brown can Moo! Can you? By Dr. Seuss. We’ll be reading this classic book everyday beginning April 8^th through April 21^st at 10:30:00AM and 11:00:00AM.

: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss

Oh, the things Mr. Brown can do! Join us as we listen to the talented Mr. Brown show us all that he can do. Did you know “Mr. Brown is so smart he can even do this: he can even make a noise like a goldfish kiss!… pip!”? Come show us all the wonderful noise you can make during Story Safari at the Children’s Zoo’s Butterfly Stage! Note: Adults might need aspirin after this.

March: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:00:23 +0000

Spring break is upon us and it has been busy, busy, busy here at the Houston Zoo! We’ve seen a lot of new faces at Story Safari just in the last few days. We’ve also had some animal guest appearances during our 11:00AM Story Safari! The only one we’re missing is you, so please come join us during Story Safari at 10:30AM and 11:00AM everyday at the Children’s Zoo’s Butterfly Stage. From now until March 25^th 2012 we will be reading a new book titled Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems.

: Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

Leonardo is a terrible monster – terrible at being a monster that is! He’s just not as scary as any of the other monsters and he’s even a little bit cute! Leonardo is determined to scare someone so he looks for the perfect victim, a nervous little boy named Sam. When Leonardo sneaks up on his unsuspecting victim, will he be able to scare the tuna salad out of him? Don’t be a scaredy-cat; join us for Story Safari to find out!

February/March: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:00:54 +0000

Beginning Sunday February 26^th through March 10^th we will be reading a new story during Story Safari titled Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems. Join us everyday at 10:30AM and 11:00AM at the Children Zoo’s Butterfly Stage.

To learn more about the Houston Zoo storytellers click here!

Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems

Gerald and Piggie have made a new friend, Snake. Snake wants to play catch with them but there is only one problem – Snake has no hands to catch with! How are Gerald and Piggie going to solve this dilemma? Come ssssee what these sssssilly friends come up with during Story Safari!

February: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:57 +0000

February – the love month!- is finally here and it has brought a lot of lovely new books for us to read with you and your family during Story Safari in the Houston Zoo’s Butterfly Stage. We will be reading two different books per month this year. Because February is all about love and friendship, for the next couple of weeks, Bennett and Viviana will read a sweet story about a worrisome squirrel who discovers his “perfect” friend.

To learn more about the Houston Zoo storytellers click here!

: Scaredy Squirrel Makes A Friend by Melanie Watt

The book is called Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt. It will be read every day for two weeks at 10:30AM and 11:00AM during Story Safari at the Houston Zoo’s Butterfly Stage. So be our perfect friend and join us for this nutty story!

December: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:30:04 +0000

December is here and you know what that means? It’s time to bundle up with a new story at Story Safari in the Houston Zoo’s Children’s Zoo. Join us every day at 10:30AM and 11:00AM at the Butterfly Stage to listen to this month’s book: “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed” by Mo Willems.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

I know when you think of cold weather the last thing on your mind is naked mole rats. Some of you may even ask yourself “What in the world is a naked mole rat?” That’s all okay because for this story “You only need to know three things: 1. They are a little bit rat. 2. They are a little bit mole. 3. They are all naked. All except Wilbur…” Want to find out why Wilbur likes clothes so much? Well join us for Story Safari to find out! (hey, maybe he’s cold!)

November: Story Safari at the Houston Zoo!

Viviana Valdez — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:30:10 +0000

Colder weather means it’s time to warm up with some hot food, friends and family. So grab your warm beverage from the McCaw Café or Twigga Terrace and join your friends Bennett and Viviana at the Houston Zoo Butterfly Stage for a story that will warm your hearts. To learn more about the Houston Zoo storytellers click here!

Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman

During the entire month of November we will be reading the book Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman, a Texan tale of Miss Billie Armadilly. “A blue norther’s a-blowing’” and Miss Billie makes hot pot of chili to warm up during those cold desert nights, but despite its savor, the chili taste “flat as a Texas prairie”. Want to find out what is missing from her chili? Join us for Story Safari everyday this month at 10:30a.m. & 11:00a.m.!

Leading and Loving Tours

Leigh — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:06:14 +0000

The staff got to feed meerkats on our tour training; on Sunday I led a group on the same tour!

I got to lead my first tours this week. They’re proving to be more than enjoyable for the guests; they are fun for me, too!

Our tours now include a 30 minute front of scenes tour before we head behind the scenes. This part is my responsibility. The cool part of this (for me, at least) is that our tours are small groups. With a maximum number of 6 for most tours, this allows for a more personal experience. It can be a bit more conversation and a bit less lesson than some of our other classes. It’s especially fun when people have a lot of questions, since this means I can tailor their tour based on their interests.

As part of our training, the Education Staff got to experience all the exciting parts of a tour as one of our guests would. That way, we would know what to expect. It also means that the temptation to participate is less. My job once we’re behind the scenes is to play escort. I shut doors, make sure that everyone knows and follows the rules, and anything else the keeper needs from me. I don’t get to do the fun stuff, but that’s okay. I’ve done it once before.

On Sunday, I led a Meerkat tour (and feeding!) for a group of six. On Thursday it was Rhinos behind the scenes for two. (It was a surprise birthday present for the woman on the tour; she was so excited!) Everyone was pleased and seemed to have a great time. I can’t wait to see where I’m headed next!

Do YOU want to experience one of our tours? You can find out more about them at our website: www.houstonzoo.org/tours. We’ve also got a handy calendar, so you can see which amazing animal areas are offered on each day of the week!