Curious Critters by David FitzSimmons: Book Review

Bring nature into your home with full color, interesting and super vivid images and lively, educational text with the new book Curious Critters by David FitzSimmons.

You just have to love the picture of the gray tree frog on the cover, so intricate in detail, larger than life, and absolutely endearing. Each image in this book will blow you away with the animal's color, natural pose, gorgeous design, and unique beauty. 

Then there is the text!  The author takes the voice of each animal, in very kid-like accessible text. Readers will learn a few tidbits about the animal's habitat, adaptations, and predators.  The tone is conversational, humorous, and immediately likable. Nothing like any boring textbook or other dry non-fiction.

My daughters loved this book, especially when I used different voices for each animal.  

Special sections include life sized silhouettes so children know how large each animal is in real life, a short natural history of each animal for further exploration, and a glossary of terms. All very helpful, indeed!

This book makes a perfect gift for the holidays for any child, but specifically for a child that loves animals, or nature (ahem-- most kids!). It will foster a deep appreciation for the biodiversity of our planet and inspire kids to learn more about curious critters and the nature to which they belong. Thanks to David for this beautiful book to share with children.

** FCC rules: This book was sent to me as a review copy. My opinions are my own and are based solely on my experience. I am also an Amazon affiliate, so if you buy a copy from this link a few pennies will come to Non-Toxic Kids to support the writing and activism on this site. 

Guest Posts (Green and Healthy Thanksgiving, 6 Ways to Avoid Toxins in Public Schools)

I'm happy to be an invited guest poster on Dr. Greene's Perspectives Blog this week. Each day, I've posted about how to have a safe, green and healthy Thanksgiving.

So far, I've posted about Vegetarian Thanksgiving ideas, for those going turkey-less, or have vegetarian guests.

Yesterday I posted recipes and ideas about serving local, organic and healthy side dishes.

Today's post was about creative ideas to use those Thanksgiving leftovers. Tomorrow, the last day, will feature an eco-friendly Thanksgiving craft idea.

Last week, I guest posted over at the beloved Soft Landing blog.  The post was about a topic near and dear to my heart-- public schools.  As a teacher, a parent, and an environmental health advocate, I offer the 6 Ways to Avoid Toxic Chemicals in Public Schools. 

Whew! I'm on a guest posting roll. The release of Eat Non-Toxic: a manual for busy parents caused me to reach out and connect with so many great bloggers and authors, it's been quite a ride.

Happy Friday! 

Image: firepile on Flickr under CC

How Can Pregnant Women Avoid Dangerous Everyday Chemicals?

(This is a guest post from author and doctor, Doris Rapp. Her recent book is called 32 Tips that Could Save your Life.)

Pregnant women are trying to be healthier. Many take all the right steps to promote the birth of a healthy baby, including eating right, taking vitamins and eliminating alcohol and nicotine from their lives.

Unfortunately, all those efforts may be for naught if they are still being exposed to unseen chemicals in their daily lives. Dr. Doris Rapp, an experienced physician and expert on all the hidden household and environmental hazards, wants women to know about the many insidious and dangerous threats to their unborn babies. The harmful exposures can cause serious harm and damaging birth defects to babies in the womb, and they are right under our noses.

“One of the most dangerous groups of chemicals to pregnant women is known as PCBs,” said Rapp, author of 32 Tips That Could Save Your Life (www.dorisrappmd.com). “PCB stands for polychlorinated biphenyls, and they are commonly used in industrial pesticides. While they may not be in your house, they may exist in your office, your water or your food, especially if you live near the Great Lakes or consume seafood caught there. These chemicals pass through the placenta into the unborn, and some exposures have been known to cause devastating birth defects. These chemicals have also been found in the breast milk of women.”

According to Rapp, some of the dangers of these pesticides include, but are not limited to:
Lower birth weight

*Smaller head size and developmental delays

*Movement, mental, and behavioral problems

*Increased or decreased activity levels

*Slowed thought processing and “less bright” appearance

*Lower reaction times

*Compromised nervous systems

“Moreover, a group of pesticides known as organophosphates also poses a high risk for pregnant women,” Rapp added.

“These include Bisphenol-A and phthalates,” she said. “They are derived from World War II nerve agents and are highly toxic. Even at low levels, organophosphates can be toxic to the developing brain, and studies show that they can affect brain and reproductive development in unborn animals. While most pesticides categorized as organophosphates have been banned for household use, they are still permitted for commercial use, including in fumigation for mosquitoes. Malathion, a common toxic organophosphate, is still allowed for use as an industrial and household insecticide. In the US, approximately 15 million pounds of Malathion are used each year by the government, as well as by businesses and homeowners.”

Her advice for women is to do all they can to avoid contact with these chemicals, starting before conception.

“Stay as far away as possible from pesticide-treated areas,” Rapp said. “Do not eat pesticide-laden food or any fish from the Great Lakes. Try to eat only organic foods. Further, if your job requires you to be in contact with any chemicals or pesticides, insist that other tasks be given to you for the duration of your pregnancy. Half the battle is knowing these dangers exist, but the other half is being informed and conscientious enough to be able to avoid contact with these dangerous and toxic agents.”

Winners of the Eat Non-Toxic giveaways!

Without further delay, here are the winners of the giveaways last week during the launch of Eat Non-Toxic: a manual for busy parents by Katy Farber.  Did you miss the launch?  No worries, you can still nab your copy at the book page above this post.

Winner:  Free copy of the new ebook Eat Non-Toxic Kids: a manual for busy parents......Bridget

Winner: The Fuel Wet & Dry Thermal Snack Container by Trudeau from the Soft Landing...... DynamiteMama.

Winner: Glass bowl from MightyNest......Britanny T.

Congrats, winners! I'll be emailing you for details so I can get you your prize.  Thanks everyone for commenting and entering!

Johnson & Johnson Double Standard

(Here's a guest post from our friends at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. This is such an important issue I thought I'd get it out to you as soon as it came into my inbox. It is outrageous that the U.S. and other countries continue to be dumping grounds for chemically laden and unsafe baby skin care products.  Please take action below!)

Why are babies in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China and Indonesia being exposed to a carcinogen in Johnson's Baby Shampoo when safer alternatives are available in other countries? We'd like to know!

More than two years ago, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics released the groundbreaking report, No More Toxic Tub, which revealed that popular kids' bath products – including Johnson's Baby Shampoo – contained chemicals linked to cancer. We promptly asked Johnson & Johnson to reformulate its iconic baby shampoo and specifically to remove the formaldehyde-releasing chemical quaternium-15, and we've kept up the pressure on Johnson & Johnson through letters and meetings.

Fast-forward to now. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo in the U.S. and some other countries still has not been reformulated. But the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics recently discovered that J&J is selling non-formaldehyde versions of the shampoo in Denmark, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and the U.K.

We know J&J can do better. Every baby – regardless of where she or he lives – should be protected from unnecessary exposure to carcinogens.

Read our new report, Baby’s Tub Is Still Toxic, for the full story on the Johnson & Johnson double standard.

And please, help us spread the word! We need your help in letting consumers know that “pure and gentle” baby shampoo isn’t the purest or gentlest choice for babies. Forward this email and share the news on Facebook and Twitter.

We demand safe products for all babies, in every market, at every price point. If you agree, please write to J&J today!

For healthy babies and safer products,

Stacy, Lisa, Mia, Marisa, Janet, Heather and all of us at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

image:  by Sara Alfred on flickr under CC