Update: This is a Zoo in Here

For Christmas, the monkey got an assortment of wooden Anamalzfrom Santa. These were not your standard barn animals, but a zebra, camel, giraffe, elephant, hippo, ape & goat. Santa and his wife thought it was important children know about other animals in the wild. Everyone knows what sounds an ape and goat make and these did not prove to be a challenge. The other animals, not so much. Grampy, Grammy, Hubs and I all have different sounds for these 4-legged examples of walking nature.

Do you know what sound a Zebramakes? Being that a zebra is part of the horse family, I assumed it may neigh. This has been a discussion item at my house since Christmas morning. Rob just makes up sounds for the oratorally challenged beasts. Having my curiosity spiked by this post, I did what every technically adept parent would do. I did a Google search. Apparently, zebras make whooping sounds. Who knew...

Next mammal of difficulty is the Giraffe. Have you every heard a giraffe make noise? Me, neither. When Dustin picks up the giraffe and expects me to tell him his name and sound, I have been at a loss until today. Being that giraffes have long blue tongue for removing leaves from tall branches, it only makes sense it would make a slurping sound. So when my child goes to kindergarten someday and learns about this tall slender leaf eater, he will probably point and go "slrop, slrop". His teach will probably be calling us, a lot.

Explaining to your child about warm-blooded baby birthing milk drinking creatures takes some finesse because at the end of the day you hope your kid has learned something. Although we improvise and have tons of laughs, Dustin will hopefully learn giraffes have long blue tongues and zebras have stripes. Again, we will have done our job.

Update: Since I have received requests asking me where to get the above Anamalz, I have updated this post to provide links to Amazon. Dustin jut loves these animals. I like them because they are wood, posable and durable.

Santa has already given his stamp of approval by delivering them on Christmas morn. Now, I have word the Easter Bunny is adding these to baskets because the adorable toys inspire imagination in both parents and kids (see above) & do not rot teeth. She feels she is getting a bad rap because of all the candy and wants to improve her image. You can help the Easter Bunny do that by clicking this link.