Amara and her mom spend a hot, happy day at the zoo, and Amara’s reusable water bottle goes everywhere with her. She hops along with the kangaroos, meets a giraffe, a zebra, a tiger, a rhino and a monkey, and stops for water breaks along the way. She tiptoes past the napping lions behind the fence and finds a shy ostrich hiding in a bush. When her bottle runs low, she refills it at a refill station. At the petting yard, a goat nibbles her sleeve, and she washes her hands before snack time. A curious elephant sniffs her pretzel, and she gives him hay instead. At home, the bottle gets a bath: Mom sprays Ecolosophy, Amara scrubs with a bottle brush, they rinse it at the sink, and the bottle and lid dry side by side on a towel.
The lesson: a water bottle is a great adventure buddy. Sip often, refill it, and keep it clean.
Lessons in this book
Bring your own bottle. A reusable bottle goes everywhere, and gets refilled instead of thrown away.
Water breaks. On hot days, take sips of water often.
Respect the animals. Quiet feet near sleeping animals, gentle hands at the petting yard, and people food for people.
Wash after animals. Wash hands with soap and water after touching animals.
Bottle bath. At home we use Ecolosophy. Grown-ups spray, kids scrub.
What your child practices
RhymingZoo and kangaroo.
Animal factsGiraffe tongues, zebra stripes, swimming tigers and rhino horns.
Healthy habitsSipping water, washing hands and caring for a bottle.
Print awarenessWords light up as they’re read. Tap any word to hear it on its own.
Water on hot days
Children can get dehydrated quickly in the heat, and thirst is a late sign. Offer water often during outdoor play, before your child asks, and plan for shade and rest breaks. (American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org)
Water is the best drink for thirsty kids. Skip sugary drinks, which add sugar without helping more. (American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org)
A reusable bottle and refill stations cut down on single-use plastic, and kids are more likely to drink from a bottle that’s their own.
Animals and clean hands
Animals at petting zoos and farms can carry germs such as E. coli and Salmonella, even when they look clean and healthy. Wash hands with soap and running water right after touching animals or anything in their area, and always before eating. Hand sanitizer is a backup when soap and water aren’t available. (CDC)
Keep food, drinks, bottles and pacifiers out of animal areas, and supervise young children’s handwashing. (CDC)
Follow the zoo’s rules about feeding. People food can make animals sick.
Caring for a reusable bottle
Wash reusable bottles after each day’s use. Take off the lid and any straw or seal, scrub inside with a bottle brush, rinse well, and let every part air-dry completely before closing it. Moisture trapped inside can lead to musty smells and mold.
At home, Ecolosophy washes away dirt and grime from bottles, lids and straws. A grown-up sprays, children can scrub, everything gets a good rinse, and the bottle goes back up high.
Cleaning safety
Cleaning products are for grown-ups. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Avoid eyes. If swallowed or in eyes, call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Made for calm play
No ads, no purchases, and nothing your child types leaves this device.
No timers and no losing. A wrong answer gets a gentle hint and another try.
Made for little fingers: big touch targets, and a friendly pointing hand appears if your child isn’t sure what to touch.
Talk about it afterwards
Which animal was your favorite? Why?
What was special about the zebra’s stripes?
What did Amara do when her bottle was empty?
What did the elephant eat instead of the pretzel?
How did Amara give her bottle a bath?
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From Ecolosophy
These stories are free for everyone. Eco is the leaf-heart at the center of everything we make. Look for Eco’s other stories at ecolosophy.com.