In their earnest effort to attract mates and defend their territory, the male frogs call out in high-pitched trills, “ribbits,” and “krrrecks.” Each one amplifies his voice with a resonating throat sack he blows up to 3X the size of his head! These Northwest frogs are so loud, they are the frogs chosen to sing in background jungle scenes of many Hollywood movies.

Once the Tree frogs mate, eggs are laid, and the pollywogs emerge a few weeks later––childhood magic begins.

Remember catching tadpoles (or pollywogs) as a kid? Those days defined summer. They were hours of engaging, carefree fun that few children experience anymore. We scrambled down to the rocky creek bed, bucket and net in hand, and scooped up all we could catch, examining each one carefully for signs of the frog to come. Tiny budding legs in every stage, yolk sacks, and shrinking tails, captivated our attention long beyond the call for dinner.

Unfortunately, we wondered at the transformation with an instinctive urge to participate. Many of us, with all good intentions, scooped the tadpoles into jars and took them home to watch the process unfold. We just didn’t know what we know now–– that tadpoles survive best if left where found, in their natural habitat. Small bowls and tanks of aging pond water, with minimal food, are poor homes for these delicate creatures.

With these precautions in mind, encourage your children to spend some time this summer observing, exploring, and dipping for tadpoles. Remind them to capture only a few (and never in a dry hand), for only a few minutes, and gently release them back into their homes. We are intruders that mean no harm, but can do a lot.

Here’s a tip on identifying the Tree frog tadpoles: If you take a birds-eye look at a pool of tadpoles, Tree frog tadpoles are the ones whose eyes jut out a bit at the sides of their heads. A Bullfrog tadpole’s eyes are more to the top of his head. Tree frog tadpoles are also quite smaller than the Bullfrog tadpoles, who can remain as tadpoles for up to two years before they metamorphose.

A great place to see Tree frog tadpoles is at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Walk along the oak savannah road, just south of the water garden, and look for the seeps along the left side of the gravel road. These large puddles were excavated to provide more habitat for the Tree frogs to breed. Once the tadpoles complete their transformation (in late summer) they leave the puddles for the pond or forest, where they can climb on vegetation with their sticky toe pads. One hopes that the puddles don’t dry up before the tadpoles turn to frogs! The dry, Tadpole Days of Summer can be a challenge to these vulnerable creatures growing up in a watery environment.

by Fran Rosenthal, Education Manager, Mount Pisgah Arboretum

Born in 1832, English author, mathematician, Anglican deacon, and photographer Lewis Carroll is best known for writing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, as well as the poems “The Hunting of the Snark” and “Jabberwocky.” His works of literary nonsense are noted for their word play, logic, and fantasy. There are societies dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of the author’s works and the investigation of his life in many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Japan.

In celebration of the author’s  birth date and wonderful works of literature, the Literary Duck Staff at the Duck Store shared some of their favorite children’s editions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. With beautiful illustrations and clever adaptations, these books are worth passing on to future generations.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland — Lewis Carroll, with illustrations by Camille Rose Garcia

Since its publication in 1865, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has delighted the world with a wildly imaginative and unforgettable journey, inspiring children of all ages to suspend disbelief and follow Alice into her fantasy worlds. This new gift edition presents Carroll’s tale fully unabridged with a unique visual interpretation by renowned artist Camille Rose Garcia. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: A Pop-Up Adaptation

Sabuda brings Alice’s world to life with breathtaking, three-dimensional images that are incredibly imaginative, intricately detailed, and perfectly executed. Carroll’s text has been significantly abridged, and although some scenes are a bit choppy, the quickly paced narrative retains the flavor of the original. Sabuda’s illustrations pay homage to John Tenniel’s artwork, while providing a fresh look at the story and offering details that add greatly to the reading experience. The events unfold in six glorious spreads, each featuring a large pop-up and a narrow booklet that opens into several pages containing the text as well as additional pop-ups. The first scene depicts Alice and her sister on the riverbank, and the faces of several Wonderland characters are camouflaged among the background trees. A pull-up panel provides a “Victorian peep show” view of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Throughout, shiny foils highlight items such as pots and pans, and felt adds textured detail to the Cheshire Cat and other fuzzy animals. A movable inset transforms the face of the Duchess’s offspring from a baby’s to a pig’s. As a page is turned, a gardener raises his paintbrush and a piece of cellophane changes a white rose to red. In the final spread, a frightened Alice waves her arms beneath a delicate arch of cards. In addition to pulling off feats of paper engineering, the artist also manages to create compositions that provide an eye-pleasing balance of colors, shapes, and action. Much too delicate to circulate, libraries may still want to purchase this book for displays and just for showing off. (blurb from School Library Journal)

Coming Soon…February 2011 Release

Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland

‘The rumored ‘lost rhymes’ of Lewis Carroll are the inspiration behind Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland, a compilation of masterful poetry. While adding new and interesting elements, Holden has managed to keep the timeless appeal of the original works, allowing true fans to insatiably dig in. From the absurdity of the verse to the well-composed rhyme to the shrewd black-and-white illustrations, this book is certainly a literature lover’s delight.’ (The Children’s Book Review)

Stocking Stuffers:

Mad Libs — Roger Price

Just for fun! Fill in the blanks and read the silly silly story!

Beatrix Potter Classic Stories, mini books – Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit, Tale of Jemima Puddle Duck, Tale of Miss Tiggy Winkle, etc.)

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of “The Tales of Peter Rabbit, ” all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s original tales are now available in small special editions, which take the very first printings of Potter’s works as their guide, and introduces favorite characters to a new generation. Full-color illustrations. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Indestructibles – chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic, 100% washable baby books!

Here is a book babies can really sink their gums into. Built for the way babies read, Indestructibles are printed on an amazing paperlike material that can’t be ripped, torn, or punctured. Indestructibles are 100 percent safe and nontoxic, and if they get too funky, just throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Classics:

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland — Lewis Carroll, with illustrations by Camille Rose Garcia

Since its publication in 1865, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has delighted the world with a wildly imaginative and unforgettable journey, inspiring children of all ages to suspend disbelief and follow Alice into her fantasy worlds. This new gift edition presents Carroll’s tale fully unabridged with a unique visual interpretation by renowned artist Camille Rose Garcia. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Castle in the Attic – Elizabeth Winthrop

One of the classic fantastical adventures of all time!

“William has just received the best present of his life—an old, real-looking stone and wooden model of a castle, with a drawbridge, a moat, and a fingerhigh knight to guard the gates. It’s the mysterious castle his housekeeper has told him about, and even though William is sad she’s leaving, now the castle is his! William can’t wait to play with the castle—he’s certain there’s something magical about it. And sure enough, when he picks up the tiny silver knight, it comes alive in his hand! Sir Simon tells William a mighty story of wild sorcery, wizards, and magic. And suddenly William is off on a fantastic quest to another land and another time—where a fiery dragon and an evil wizard are waiting to do battle. . . . “An IRA-CBC Children’s Choice (blurb from publishers marketing)

Puff the Magic Dragon (Book with CD) – Peter Yarrow

“Puff, the Magic Dragon” is one of the most beloved songs ever written… Now, this gorgeous multimedia set is available in paperback… It’s as magical as ever, with Eric Puybaret’s stunning illustrations and the exclusive CD featuring “Puff” and other songs performed by Peter Yarrow, his daughter Bethany, and cellist Rufus Cappadocia. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

For Babies and Toddlers:

Goodnight Oregon board book – Dan McCarthy

Children’s book with thick, chunky pages. Simple message greeting many of the recognizable locations and sites throughout the state, moving from morning to night: from “Good morning, Pacific Ocean and Haystack Rock” past the Portland rose gardens, Crater Lake, the Cascades, Multnomah Falls, Smith Rock State Park, OMSI, the Pendleton Round-Up and on and on.  Great art work. 20 pages.

Heads – Matthew Van Fleet

This touch-and-feel companion to Van Fleet’s bestselling Tails (2003) is interactive even before page one, with a pull-tab cover in which animals move letters into place to spell out the title. The book is stuffed with myriad textures, detailed watercolor illustrations, and playful rhymes. (Publishers Weekly)

Picture Books:

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters – President Barack Obama

In this tender, beautiful letter to his daughters, President Barack Obama has written a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation. From the artistry of Georgia O’Keeffe, to the courage of Jackie Robinson, to the patriotism of George Washington, President Obama sees the traits of these heroes within his own children, and within all of America’s children.

Breathtaking, evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans and the innocence and promise of childhood.

This beautiful book celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation’s founders to generations to come. It is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths. It is a treasure to cherish with your family forever. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Olivia Goes to Venice – Ian Falconer

In her first brand-new adventure in three years, Olivia takes her discerning eye for style to beautiful Venice on a family vacation that involves dodging pigeons in the Piazza San Marco and “barely” staying afloat in a gondola. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

It’s a Book – Lane Smith

This wickedly funny picture book has only three characters: a monkey, a mouse, and a donkey, the last of whom goes by a different name, and it’s not hard to see why. Poor Monkey is trying to read, but a jackass with a laptop keeps interrupting him with puzzled questions about the object he’s absorbed in: “What do you have there?”

The conversation (the text is all dialogue) occurs in a sleek, minimalistic living room environment, where design elements such as varying fonts and computer-generated onomatopoeia add to the collision of techno and non-.

By process of elimination Jackass determines what Monkey’s object does not do: tweet, text, blog, scroll down, or require a password. Finally he rips it from fuming Monkey’s stylized paws — only to get completely caught up in the story.

Kids will enjoy feeling superior to the donkey, who’s still ignorant enough to call out, “Don’t worry, I’ll charge it up when I’m done!” And older ones will relish the naughty punch line — Mouse pops out from under Monkey’s hat to announce, “You don’t have to [charge it up]…it’s a book, Jackass” — which, really, is just calling it like it is. (Horn Book Magazine)

Children Make Terrible Pets – Peter Brown

Check out this rollicking, humorous, and heartwarming twist on the classic “first pet” story about a young bear and her favorite pet boy!

When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a boy in the woods, she’s absolutely delighted. She brings him home and begs her mom to let her keep him, even though her mom warns, “Children make terrible pets.” But mom relents, and Lucy gets to name her new pet Squeaker.

Through a series of hilarious and surprising scenes, readers can join Lucy and Squeaker on their day of fun and decide for themselves whether or not children really do make terrible pets. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

New and Notable for Middle Readers and Up:

39 Clues #9 Storm Warning – Linda Sue Park

Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan have encountered some of the darkest aspects of history . . . and had to deal with the role their family played. But are they ready for the truth? In this thrilling ninth installment, Amy and Dan hit the high seas as they follow the trail of some infamous ancestors to track down a long lost treasure. However, the real prize isn’t hidden in a chest. It’s the discovery of the Madrigals’ most dangerous secret and, even more shockingly, the true identity of the mysterious man in black. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #5 The Ugly Truth – Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be? Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older–all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”? (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

The Lost Hero – Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson fans can rest easy: this first book in Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus spin-off series is a fast-paced adventure with enough familiar elements to immediately hook those eager to revisit his modern world of mythological mayhem. Clever plot devices–like gods who shift back and forth between their Greek and Roman personae–keep the book from feeling like a retread of Riordan’s previous novels.

Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students at a wilderness school for troubled teens, are transported to Camp Half-Blood after an unexpected encounter with evil storm spirits on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Not only do they discover that they are the offspring of ancient gods, but they also learn that they are three of seven demigods mentioned in the Great Prophecy uttered by Rachel in The Last Olympian.

Wasting little time acclimating to their new lives, the three embark upon a quest to preserve Mt. Olympus and the divine status quo, by rescuing an erstwhile enemy. Rotating among his three protagonists, Riordan’s storytelling is as polished as ever, brimming with wit, action, and heart–his devotees won’t be disappointed. Ages 10up. (Publishers Weekly)

Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking “The Hunger Games” trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Other Excellent Ideas:

Paula Deen’s Cookbook for the Lunch-box Set – Paula Deen

From the bestselling team that brought you “Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook” comes a cookbook for the busiest families. When the school and work days end, what better way to connect with your family than by cooking in the kitchen? And when the school bake sale calls for volunteers or you need ideas for your sleepover party, “Paula Deen’s Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set” has the simplest, most delicious recipes for the fun activities that happen all school year long. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Potato Chip Science Book and Stuff – Allen Kurzweil

This wildly imaginative kit introduces more than 30 experiments using potato chips, potatoes, chip bags, tubes, and lids. In addition, more than a dozen items used in the “snacktivities” are packaged in the bag. (blurb from publisher marketing)

Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary

Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and Luke Skywalker are brought to life in this full-color volume containing dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos. Fans learn about the history, manufacture, and construction of the mini-figures of the Star Wars galaxy, and come away a LEGO Jedi Master. (blurb from publisher’s marketing)

Yoga gives kids those skills. When kids participate in yoga, they get to enjoy an interdisciplinary exercise that benefits both their physical and mental well-being.

We’ve known for years that Americans’ overall health is declining. Sedentary lifestyles put millions of people at risk for hypertension, diabetes and other diseases. Even in Oregon, where we tend to be more active, 9.6% of children ages 10-17 are obese, as are 25% of adults. Yoga helps keep obesity and obesity-related diseases at bay, allowing children to be active and learn exercise skills that last far beyond the time they spend in the yoga studio.

In addition to helping kids fight obesity, yoga enables them to become stronger, more flexible and more coordinated – benefits that extend to daily life and other activities, such as organized sports.

Yoga allows kids to explore their imagination and fosters creativity. In class, kids will twist their bodies into trees, bark like dogs or hiss like cobras, all while learning the basics of yoga and improving their physical and mental health.

While the physical benefits are reason enough to encourage your child’s participation, yoga also allows kids to de-stress and improve their ability to cope. When they participate in yoga, they are not just twisting their bodies into different positions on a mat. Sessions incorporate storytelling, music and imagination, creating an approach that engages the whole child.

Children also walk away from yoga classes with a better understanding of how they fit into the larger picture of life. Assuming a tree pose helps them understand how a tree lives and allows them to feel a greater sense of oneness with nature. Yoga changes children from the inside out by improving their self-health and equipping them with tools to lead more active lives.

ZenSpot is offering yoga classes for kids ages 6 – 12 starting Saturday October 23rd. To learn more, visit the ZenSpot website.

To learn more about the benefits of yoga, take a look at this article from Yoga Journal.
Obesity statistics from HealthyAmericans.org.

Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to make and share treats with friends and family, but whipping up homemade sweets can be time consuming. If you’re pressed for time but still want to give something homemade, try a twist on the typical conversation hearts by making conversation heart fudge. Looking for a healthier alternative? Try these Valentine’s hearts made with watermelon and orange slices.

Enjoy time with the kids while they’re home for the weekend by putting together some Valentine’s crafts. If you have a budding musician in your home, help inspire them by creating this “You Rock, Valentine!” card.

Stray from the traditional boxed Valentine’s cards this year and make homemade cards using construction paper, paint and your thumbprint! Follow these instructions for how to make a thumbprint heart card.

Girls will love making Valentine Heart Leis, which you can easily put together with supplies you have around the house like construction paper and straws.

If you want to get out of the house, there are lots of opportunities to do so! Celebrate the state of Oregon’s birthday (it gained statehood on February 14, 1859) at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History from 11 am – 5 pm. Explore the museum for free and let the kids enjoy the museum’s various activity stations.

Take the family to Family Art Sunday at the Emerald Art Center from 2-4 pm. This free event lets families learn about American folk art and gives kids the chance to create their own art projects.

You can find more events for Valentine’s Day and the upcoming weekend on our calendar and at the Travel Lane County Event Calendar.

Do you and your family have other Valentine’s Day plans or a fun tradition you’d like to share? Let us know!