All for Animals, Inc. Announces Publication of New Children’s Book
Filled with humor and whimsical illustrations, this enchanting and educational A-Z guide takes young readers on a journey through the alphabet with Sandy, a lovable Lab, who shows them that animals share many of the same feelings that people do. From A is for Affectionate to Z is for Zonked, Animals Have Feelings, Too! helps children to understand and express their feelings and to treat animals with kindness and respect.
“By the time a child reaches the age of 3, he or she begins to learn that their behavior and actions, both positive and negative, can greatly impact an animal’s health and well-being. This understanding allows them to develop a responsible stewardship for animals,” says Karen Lee Stevens, the founder of All for Animals and the book’s author. “Most children feel drawn toward animals and, properly nurtured, this attraction produces a beautiful symbiotic relationship with animals and the natural world.”
Karen Lee Stevens is a Certified Humane Education Specialist who works with young children at many local preschools and elementary schools in Santa Barbara through the organization’s Compassion for Critters Humane Education program. Stevens realizes that when a child has the opportunity to participate in a positive experience with a companion animal such as grooming, walking or feeding a dog, the child’s self esteem and sense of self evolves and expands and the child develops a sense of pride and accomplishment.
“Our book gives children the chance to use their imagination and to visualize how an animal might feel in any given situation, thereby helping that child understand a sense of connection and deep empathy and responsibility for animal welfare,” says Stevens. “This can help prevent most cases of animal neglect and abuse from occurring.”
Through a generous grant from the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation, All for Animals was able to publish the book, which is available for $9.95 through the organization’s website (allforanimals.com). Quantity discounts are available to schools, children’s organizations, libraries and animal welfare organizations.
On Sunday, October 16, 2011, All for Animals will celebrate the publication of Animals Have Feelings, Too! with a Big Book Launch Paw-ty from 1 – 3 pm at Dioji K-9 Resort & Athletic Club at 7340 Hollister Avenue (just past Costco) in Goleta. The event includes face painting, treats for kids and canines, animal artwork by 7-year-old Maya Lewandowski, and a special appearance by the “real” Sandy, the lovable Lab featured in the book. For more information about the book or the event, call (805) 682-3160 or visit allforanimals.com.
All for Animals is dedicated to creating a more compassionate world through humane education. The organization’s Compassion for Critters program has reached thousands of children in Santa Barbara through reading, storytelling, and interaction with well-behaved dogs, bunnies, birds and the occasional snake! The program builds on children’s natural empathy and curiosity toward animals and helps them create safe and satisfying relationships with animals that will last a lifetime.