PETA and Dr. Molly Barrow Relationship expert, author radio television

Dear Dr. Molly...


Thank you for your great article, "You can teach your children to be kind." I wanted to send you some information about a book you might be interested in reading or mentioning in a future column. I've attached a sample chapter for your review.

Best wishes,

Christina Matthies
Media Submissions Coordinator
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
www.PETA.org

For Immediate Release:

April 18, 2007



Contact:

Christina Matthies 757-373-6712; ChrissyM@peta.org.



New Book by PETA President Helps Kids Turn Compassion Into Action



Can your child really change the world? PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk thinks so, and she shows kids how to do it in her latest book, 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals: Fun and Easy Ways to Be a Kind Kid (Warner Books).



Most children are naturally drawn to animals, and Newkirk wants to help them turn their compassion into action. 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals provides information about how kids can help animals in their everyday lives—from being good neighbors to wildlife and taking better care of their animal companions to eating healthy, animal-friendly foods.



A recurring theme throughout the book is empathy, something that educators, psychologists, and law enforcement officials agree is key to helping mold children into responsible, caring adults. Newkirk encourages kids to put themselves in animals’ shoes by sharing fascinating facts about animal behavior and contrasting wild animals’ native habitats with conditions in zoos, circuses, and pet shops. “Live by the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’” writes Newkirk. “When dealing with any lost or confused animals, try to put yourself in their place. … [H]elp them as you would want to be helped.”



Laid out in an easy-to-read format that features charming illustrations, riddles, and quizzes, 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals is packed with information that will inspire kids to put down the Game Boy and get busy helping animals, including the following:



· Words of wisdom from kids’ favorite athletes, musicians, and actors

· Poems and artwork created by kids as well as real-life examples of kids’ activism for animals

· Tips for helping wildlife and taking proper care of companion animals

· Easy-to-prepare cholesterol-free recipes

· “What You Can Do” sections at the end of every chapter, which are filled with simple things that kids can do to give animals a helping hand

· Dozens of resources for more information



“Parents can use this book to help nurture kids’ natural affinity for animals, which in turn will help make them be more sensitive to the feelings of others, including friends, classmates, and family members,” says Newkirk. “50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals will help kids realize that they can make a difference and put them on the road to becoming more empowered adults.”