One of the cuddliest days of the year according to Dutch for Kids!
On October 4th it is animal day again. A day when we give extra attention to our pets, but also to the animals in nature and often there are also calls not to eat meat on that day.
Animal Day comes from the 13th century
But why do we celebrate this day on October 4th?
Then we have to go back very far in history. Back to the 13th century to be exact.
Francis of Assisi lived in that century. He had a lot of love for his (poor) fellow human beings, for animals and for plants and he proclaimed his love from a self-built monastery. More and more people joined him and so he founded his own order: the Order of the Minor Brotherhood/Franciscans. His followers lived as poor people and gave up their possessions. Love of love and animals were important core conditions.
Franciscus’ death day, October 4, has been animal day in the Netherlands since 1930.
Personalities and characteristics of people are often linked to animals, such as the cat which symbolizes mystery, curiosity and unpredictability. The lion symbolizes people with a powerful self-awareness. The horse is the symbol of energy, action and vitality.
Children also often have a feel for which animal best suits their character. Children also often have a favorite animal.
Many children like to read books about animals or books with animals in the lead role.
We would like to give you a few tips:
- Little animal, where are you? – Ingela P Arrhenius
Many children like to be read to. For the little ones, an interactive book is very stimulating. Four cries have hidden in the booklet and you can find them again. You keep getting the question ‘Where are you?’ Against. This is where the animal in question is called. You then look behind large flaps to see if the animal is hiding behind them. On the last page there is a surprise hidden for your child. That’s where the question is asked ‘Child, where are you?’. After you have opened the flap, you will see a mirror.
https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/beestje-waar-ben-je/9200000060020534/
- The Lion King, storybook (author unknown)
In this story, almost all animals are happy when Prince Simba, the future lion king, is born. However, there is one lion who is not happy with it, Simba’s bad uncle Scar. This uncle invents a deadly trick to get rid of the little prince. Eventually he himself becomes king of the animal kingdom. What can Simba do to defeat his uncle? Reading aloud from the age of five, self-reading from the age of eight.
https://www.bol.com/nl/en/p/disney-the-lion-king-the-lion-king-luxury-golden-booklet/9300000018958734/
- Maybe they knew everything – Toon Tellegen
This book contains no less than 214 fantasy stories about animals. Sometimes the animals have specific characteristics that belong to the animals, but sometimes they don’t. After every three stories, the book is licked up with a drawing of an animal. The animal in the illustration exudes just as much simplicity as the stories in the book: short and powerful. This makes it fun for children to read the different stories. The book is ideal for children from about 10 years.
Https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/misschien-kisten-zij-alles/1001004001441153/
- The loneliness of the hedgehog – Toon Tellegen
The story is about a hedgehog, who chooses to be lonely himself. He repels everyone around him. He always comes up with new strategies to be left alone. But at the end he wants to know if the animals have really forgotten him. The book can be read by children from about 13 years old.
Https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/the-loneliness-of-the-egel/1001004002609399/
We have only made a selection of special books. Of course, there are many more books starring animals. Type ‘children’s book’ and the favorite animal or an important character trait and ‘animal’ into a search engine on the internet and something beautiful will definitely come up.
We wish you and your children ‘greet’ reading pleasure and of course a nice animal day full of warm hugs.
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