Do animals need to brush their teeth? (Zoo Director Answers Fun Questions)

Author: (German) Werner Weissner, translated by Wang Ping, Wan Yinglang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: As a zoo director, I have long been accustomed to being probed by some animal enthusiasts. Their questions and the timing of asking them are equally strange and interesting. For example, just after 7 a.m., someone called me with an angelic voice, asking if animals also have to brush their teeth. They don’t brush their own teeth, but there are always ways to keep them healthy. For instance, crocodiles ask birds to be their dentists, and doctorfish open dental clinics in the ocean! Others asked me: Do fireflies run away? Of course not. At least our German fireflies are very loyal, because wingless female fireflies can’t fly anyway. No, this isn’t what she really wanted to ask. Her question was more about "electricity." To answer these actually quite complex questions before drinking a cup of tea in the morning, I did my best and launched the radio program "Bavarian Three Animal Series." In a year, it was broadcast every morning between brushing teeth and drinking coffee, short, concise, and full of fun. The response it received far exceeded our expectations, and Wally Miller, the freelance writer for Bavarian Radio, became widely known for his charming childlike voice. My friend Günter Mattai then transformed the content of the radio program into a series of exquisite illustrations. These images, with their subtle humor, once again reinforced the theme, allowing us to greet a wonderful day with a smile after brushing our teeth. As editors, we hope all readers can enjoy infinite fun from this book, which is the source and driving force behind its creation.