Do animals need to brush their teeth: Zoo Director answers fun questions

Author: (German) Wiesner
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-10-01
Features: As a zoo director, I have long been accustomed to being grilled by some animal enthusiasts. Their questions and the timing of asking them are just as 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 teeth themselves, but there are always ways to keep their teeth healthy. For instance, crocodiles ask birds to be their dentists, and doctor fish open dental clinics in the ocean! Others ask 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 wants to ask. Her question is 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 "Bavarian Three Animal Series" radio program. In a year, it was broadcast every morning in the gaps between brushing teeth and drinking coffee, short, sharp, and full of fun. The response it received greatly exceeded our expectations, and Wally Miller, the freelance writer for Bavarian Radio, also became widely known for her charming childlike voice. My friend Günter Mathai 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 endless fun from this book, which is the source and driving force behind its creation.