American Animals At Home 
A NYONE familiar with zoos knows the enthu- 
- siasm with which visitors—both grown-ups and 
children—view American animals. The interested 
and eager questions asked show that all too little is 
known of the native life and habits of these animals. 
Occasional visits to the zoo, or the infrequent news 
story of some animal mother’s efforts to protect her 
young do not tell the story, for these animals have inter¬ 
esting and sometimes amusing traits that cannot always 
be seen within the cage of the zoo. 
Knowing this absorbing interest in our wild animals 
and the delight with which children receive them, I have 
felt that a picture strip book accurately portraying little 
known but actual happenings in the life of some of 
the wild animals of America, would be welcomed. It 
has a value not only for amusement, but for the crea¬ 
tion of a greater respect for animals. As for the 
children, my talks to thousands of them at zoos and 
in our public schools lead me to feel confident of their 
interest and enjoyment. 
In order to bring these stories most vividly into the 
realm of the smaller child I have been careful to keep 
the vocabulary simple. This book contains no words 
that are not in the word lists and vocabularies of chil¬ 
dren six to seven years of age. Of course, it may be 
read to children much younger. 
The artist, Don Nelson, has brought to life in his 
drawings, the spirit that animates these animals in 
their native haunts, their habits, and their cunning. 
George F. Morse 
