Education - A Houston Zoo Blog » Public Programs

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!

Amazing Animal Artists!

Leigh — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:03 +0000

As you may know, the Education department took over the logistics of tours last year. This means that we do the behind-the-scenes arrangements for behind-the-scenes tours! (I blogged about it, so you can read more if you missed it or forgot.)

One of our raccoons paints with a brush, while the other likes to use her hands.

Part of taking over tours means that we now also coordinate animal art purchases made by the public. What? You didn’t know that you could purchase animal art? Well, you can!

You may have heard about how our orangutans are artists who help raise money for wild orangutans through Pongos helping Pongos. You might have seen one of our incredible painting goats on the blog or on YouTube. It’s even possible that you have heard of our artistic elephants and their painting adventures. Believe it or not, these are just a few of the animals at the Houston Zoo who paint on a regular basis!

We have several painting primates; our Saki monkey and siamangs enjoy their chance at the canvas as much as our orangutans do. The Children’s Zoo animals really get into the act, with painting goats, raccoons, and parrots! We even have carnivores who are artists!! Our jaguars, lions, and maned wolves paint with their paws instead of brushes. And of course, two of our elephants make stunning artwork of their own.

Painting is a form of enrichment for our animals. It gives them something different to do, something new to smell, and different textures to feel. For some of our animals, painting is part of their training program; for others, it’s provided as an option during their day. All of our animals are given the choice if they want to participate. If they’re not in the mood, the painting has to wait. On at least one occasion, this has made for an even more interesting painting!

Want to know more about how you can own a piece of animal art? Visit www.houstonzoo.org/animalart. You can get in on the fun as well, choosing up to two colors of paint for your work of art!

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.

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!

Photography, Part 2!

Leigh — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:29 +0000

Teaching Point, Click, Zoo

I am so excited about a new opportunity that we are offering here in the Education Department!

My favorite class to teach is Point, Click, Zoo, our beginning-level adult photography class. Last fall I trained all of my coworkers on the program so they could start teaching it as well. I can now reveal the reason for this: Point, Click, Zoo, part 2!

That’s right! Starting this year we’re offering an addition to our photography class lineup. The first class of this new program will be on Feb. 25th. Since it is part 2, we are assuming a certain level of photographic knowledge, particularly how to use the manual settings on your camera, but we’re not requiring participants to have joined us for part 1.

This time, we’ll spend most of our time out on grounds, discussing some of the exhibits that present challenges for our photo-minded guests.

Want more information about either the original Point, Click, Zoo or the new Point, Click, Zoo, Part 2? Check out www.houstonzoo.org/teensandadults!

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.!